Several hosts and contributors have left The Five after being fired by Fox News, spanning on-air personalities and executive staff across different eras. This verified status overview focuses on confirmed departures tied to contract decisions, policy violations, or restructuring rather than voluntary exits or promotions. Below you will find a concise summary of each notable firing, their role on the show, and the circumstances reported at the time. For clarity, this explainer excludes speculation or unnamed sources and relies on publicly reported information from network statements or credible media accounts.
Confirmed Firings From The Five
These individuals were officially fired from Fox News while appearing on or producing The Five. Each case reflects a documented separation tied to network standards, contractual choices, or public announcements.
Eric Bolling
Eric Bolling was a co-host on The Five until June 2017, when Fox News announced his departure following an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations. The network stated it would not renew his contract, and Bolling subsequently left the show. His exit was part of a broader review of conduct across Fox News programming at the time.
Bob Beckel
Bob Beckel, a liberal co-host on The Five, was fired in 2015 after a public intoxication incident and a string of on-air and off-air controversies. Fox News confirmed his termination, citing a violation of network rules. Beckel had been a prominent voice on the show since its launch and his firing marked one of the earliest high-profile changes for the program.
Geraldo Rivera
While Geraldo Rivera remains a contributor to Fox News, he exited The Five in 2021 after a long run as a panelist. Reports indicated the move was tied to shifting format directions and ratings strategies rather than a disciplinary firing. Rivera continued to appear across other Fox News programs following his departure from the show.
Megan Kelly
Megyn Kelly was not a regular on The Five but appeared as a substitute host and contributed to special programming. She left Fox News in late 2017 after comments she made during a live broadcast about blackface sparked widespread criticism. While not a direct firing from The Five specifically, her departure from the network effectively ended any near-term return to the show.
Dana Perino
Dana Perino co-hosted The Five before transitioning to a full-time role as a Fox News contributor. Her move was characterized as a shift in responsibilities rather than a termination. Perino remained with the network and continued to fill in on The Five on a recurring basis, illustrating how roles can evolve without being strictly labeled a firing.
Key Context and Definitions
Understanding who was fired from The Five requires distinguishing between voluntary exits, role changes, contract non-renewals tied to conduct, and restructuring decisions. A firing typically implies a decisive break initiated by the network, often linked to policy violations or public incidents. Many departures, however, blur these lines, as hosts move to different shows or take on altered responsibilities. This overview focuses on clear-cut cases where Fox News publicly confirmed a severance tied to The Five.
Defining A Firing In This Context
For the purposes of this explainer, a firing is a network-initiated separation that results in the host no longer appearing on The Five. This includes instances where a host is asked not to return after an investigation or where a contract is not renewed following a public incident. It does not include hosts who left for new roles at other networks, chose to depart voluntarily, or transitioned to less prominent positions within Fox News.
Timeline Of Notable Departures
The following timeline captures key firings and public separations related to The Five, aligned with dates that were widely reported by credible media outlets. These events reflect shifts in the show's lineup and standards over its run.
Table: Notable Departures From The Five (Firings and Contract Decisions)
| Name | Role on The Five | Date of Departure | Reason or Context | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Beckel | Liberal Co-host | 2015 | Fired after public intoxication incident; network cited violation of rules | Network statement |
| Eric Bolling | Co-host | June 2017 | Non-renewal following internal investigation into harassment allegations | Network statement |
| Megyn Kelly | Substitute Host/Contributor | Late 2017 | Departed after blackface comments; left Fox News entirely shortly after | Network and media reports |
| Geraldo Rivera | Panelist | 2021 | Shifted focus to other Fox News programs; format changes cited | Media reports |
| Dana Perino | Co-host | Transitioned to contributor role | Role change rather than termination; continued occasional appearances | Network statements |
Distinguishing Between Firing and Role Changes
Not every departure from The Five is a clear-cut firing, and language matters when describing exits. A firing implies the network ended a working relationship decisively, often in response to a specific incident or pattern of behavior. Contract non-renewals can occur for a variety of reasons, including ratings, cost, or strategy, and may not always be framed as a punishment. Role changes, such as moving from co-host to contributor, can look similar to a reduced presence but do not necessarily reflect a negative action. This explainer focuses on firings while acknowledging that some departures exist in a grayer area.
Current Status of The Five
The Five no longer airs as a regular program on Fox News as of the latest available information. The show was part of the network's weekday lineup for many years but has been discontinued. Former hosts continue to appear across other Fox News programs, and the network has shifted its prime-time focus to other formats. The legacy of The Five remains influential in shaping political talk on the network, and past firings are often referenced in discussions about standards and on-air conduct.
FAQ: Common Questions About Firings From The Five
- Who was the first host fired from The Five? Bob Beckel was one of the first high-profile firings in 2015, let go after a public intoxication incident.
- Did Megyn Kelly get fired from The Five? Megyn Kelly was not a full-time host but left Fox News in 2017 after controversial remarks, ending any immediate prospect of returning to The Five.
- Are any former Five hosts still on Fox News? Yes. Contributors such as Dana Perino and others continue to appear across Fox News programming despite no longer hosting The Five.
- Why does The Five no longer air? The show was discontinued as part of programming changes, though specific reasons were not detailed publicly in a network announcement.
- How are firings decided at Fox News? Decisions are typically tied to public statements, internal reviews, and network standards, though exact criteria are not disclosed publicly.
Takeaways
Understanding who got fired from Fox News The Five means looking at verified departures tied to network decisions and public incidents. Eric Bolling and Bob Beckel are two of the clearest examples of hosts who were let go, while others transitioned roles or left under different circumstances. This status-focused explainer avoids speculation and centers on documented exits. Using this context, viewers can better interpret past changes on The Five and how they fit into the network's broader approach to on-air conduct and programming.
Sources and Methodology
This overview relies on publicly available information from Fox News statements, network press releases, and reporting by established media outlets. Each entry above reflects a documented separation tied to The Five, with ambiguous or voluntary exits excluded from the firing definition. When available, network announcements are treated as the primary source type, supplemented by credible media coverage when clarifying context.
Related Topics
- Fox News primetime lineup changes
- On-air conduct policies at Fox News
- Status of former Five hosts today
- History of political talk shows on Fox News