A MEDIA EARTHQUAKE AT FOX NEWS: THE FIVE ENTERS A NEW ERA AS SANDRA SMITH REPLACES JESSICA TARLOV AND JOHNNY JOEY JONES JOINS THE PANEL

In a move that sent tremors across the political media landscape, Fox News has unveiled one of the biggest programming shake-ups the network has made in years. The announcement came with near-instant shockwaves: respected anchor Sandra Smith will replace Jessica Tarlov on The Five, and combat-wounded Marine veteran and commentator Johnny Joey Jones will join the show as a rotating co-host.

In the span of just a few minutes, what began as an ordinary programming update became a cultural moment that dominated online conversation. Social platforms erupted. Commentators scrambled. Industry insiders made rapid-fire predictions. And by the end of the day, it was clear that Fox News had shifted not only the future of The Five, but also the broader ecosystem of political talk television.

This is the story of a lineup change that has become one of the most scrutinized media events of 2025—why it happened, what it means, and how it could reshape the DNA of one of cable’s most-watched programs.

A Decision That Landed Like a Detonation

The shock of Sandra Smith’s appointment wasn’t rooted in her qualifications. Smith has built a strong reputation across Fox News over the past decade, known for her sharp interviewing skills, poised delivery, and unwavering command over breaking news. Viewers have consistently praised her for maintaining composure in chaotic moments and for grounding political debates with factual precision.

But The Five is not a traditional news program. It is an hour built on energy, humor, friction, and live-wire unpredictability—a show where personality is just as important as politics. It is the rare cable news program where chemistry matters more than scripts, and where hosts spar, tease, interrupt, and challenge one another without hesitation.

Moving Smith into that environment was not a predictable decision. It was, as one Fox executive described it privately, “a controlled gamble.” The network wanted a change, but not chaos. A new tone, but not a new identity. A shift that moved the show forward without alienating the millions who watch it daily.

In that context, Smith made sense. She is steady, respected, and capable of elevating fast-moving conversations without losing her footing. Whether she will bring calm, sharper questions, or unexpected pushback remains to be seen. But the very uncertainty of how she will fit into the combustible mix of The Five is part of what has fueled the story’s intensity.

Industry insiders say the decision to replace Jessica Tarlov was discussed for months. A very small group of executives reportedly managed the transition in secrecy, waiting for what they believed to be the right moment to reintroduce the show with fresh energy. The element of surprise was intentional.

The Departure of Jessica Tarlov: An Emotional Pivot for Viewers

Jessica Tarlov’s exit from The Five marks the end of an era. She was the show’s liberal voice, the counterweight to a table dominated by conservative perspectives. With quick-witted rebuttals and a distinctive analytical style, she frequently served as the lightning rod for heated exchanges—especially with Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters.

Her presence defined the show’s ideological rhythm. Viewers grew accustomed to the tension she generated, the clashes she engaged in, and the calm explanations she offered even in the midst of fiery pushback. Some viewers found her arguments compelling; others found her frustrating. But almost every viewer acknowledged that she shaped the show’s personality.

Her departure leaves a noticeable void. Who will fill the ideological seat? Will Sandra Smith step into that role, or will the show restructure entirely? Fox executives have not clarified the ideological breakdown, fueling additional speculation. What is certain is that Tarlov’s exit marks one of the most significant personnel changes in the show’s history.

Enter Johnny Joey Jones: The Wildcard Who Could Transform the Show

If Sandra Smith was the strategic chess move, Johnny Joey Jones was the unpredictable ace. The announcement that he would join as a rotating co-host electrified the internet.

Jones is known for his directness, charisma, and authenticity. A U.S. Marine who lost both legs in Afghanistan, he built his broadcasting career on raw honesty, sharp humor, and the ability to translate military and working-class perspectives into no-nonsense commentary. He carries the kind of credibility and emotional weight that cannot be manufactured.

Viewers know exactly what to expect from him, and it is never a scripted line.

He speaks plainly.
He challenges aggressively.
He laughs loudly.
He defuses tension with humor as fast as he escalates it with blunt truths.

Producers call him “the spark plug.” Viewers call him “the Marine who tells it like it is.” And executives see him as the necessary ingredient to inject new energy into The Five’s format.

His arrival is more than a casting adjustment. It is a statement of direction.

The Internet Reaction: Joy, Shock, Debate, and Speculation

Within half an hour of the announcement, online platforms were overflowing. The reactions ranged from celebration to disbelief to full-scale theorizing.

Some viewers embraced the change immediately:

“Sandra Smith is a pro. She’ll elevate the show.”

“Johnny Joey Jones will bring the fire. This is a fantastic move.”

“Fox just upgraded the entire panel.”

Others expressed hesitation, particularly about losing Tarlov or shifting the show’s ideological balance:

“Tarlov was essential for debate. This changes the whole dynamic.”

“Sandra isn’t a liberal voice. Is the show losing its counterweight?”

“This is a major reset. Not sure what to think yet.”

And then there were viewers who focused entirely on Jones—either in anticipation or trepidation:

“If he argues with Gutfeld, the internet will break.”

“The table might combust with all that energy.”

“This might be the most unpredictable version of The Five yet.”

With millions weighing in, one consensus emerged: whatever comes next, it will not be dull.

A Show Defined by Chemistry Faces a New Formula

The central question looming over the announcement is the one that determines the fate of every ensemble show: how will the chemistry change?

The Five’s success stems from the interplay among its hosts. It is a show that can shift tone within seconds—from comedy to confrontation to analysis to storytelling. That balance is delicate.

Consider the existing personalities:

Greg Gutfeld brings sharp, acerbic humor.
Jesse Watters delivers comedic timing and political punches.
Dana Perino commands the table with calm authority.
Judge Jeanine Pirro enters with unmistakable force and emotional power.

Adding Sandra Smith means adding structure, credibility, and steadiness.
Adding Johnny Joey Jones means adding heat, unpredictability, and intensity.

Whether those forces will collide, complement, or clash remains unknown—and that unpredictability is precisely what has captivated audiences.

Fox Executives Frame the Move as “The Future of the Show”

Hours after the story began dominating headlines, Fox News executives released a carefully worded explanation. They called the decision part of a long-term strategy to keep the show relevant in a changing media environment. Viewers’ tastes evolve. Generations shift. Audiences seek personality-driven, experience-grounded perspectives.

Executives emphasized that viewers want authenticity, and they want it from people who have lived the consequences of political decisions—not simply analyzed them.

Johnny Joey Jones represents that philosophy.

Sandra Smith represents the professional rigor that keeps discussions anchored.

Together, the two new additions signal a transition—a modernization of the show without compromising what made it iconic.

Industry Reactions: Shock, Curiosity, and Competitive Interest

The media world did not hide its reaction.

Competing networks responded in real time, some with surprise, some with concern, and some with grudging admiration.

CNN analysts questioned whether Fox was trying to capture a younger demographic.
MSNBC commentators critiqued the shift in ideological balance.
Independent podcasters compared the shake-up to network television’s biggest casting surprises.

Media strategists, however, were mostly aligned: Fox News made a bold play.

They didn’t add a guest commentator.
They didn’t experiment with a minor rotation.
They reengineered a top-performing show.

Such moves are rare in cable news, where long-running programs often survive on brand familiarity. Fox, instead, chose reinvention.

The Five’s New Era: Risks, Rewards, and a Redefined Identity

With Sandra Smith and Johnny Joey Jones joining the table, The Five is entering a period of transformation—one with significant stakes.

The reward: a more dynamic, multi-dimensional show that captures a broader audience.
The risk: disrupting a format that has consistently delivered top ratings for years.

Chemistry may thrive.
Chemistry may falter.
Chemistry may evolve.

And viewers, critics, and competitors are all watching.

This is not simply a personnel update. It is a creative gamble, a strategic bet, and a reimagining of what political roundtable television can look like.

What Comes Next?

As The Five prepares to launch its new phase, several questions remain unanswered:

Will Sandra Smith fill the ideological left seat or redefine the role entirely?
Will Johnny Joey Jones become a long-term fixture if his rotating position resonates with viewers?
Will the show become more serious, more humorous, more intense, or more unpredictable?
And perhaps most crucially: how will the existing panel adapt to an entirely new dynamic?

These questions will shape not only the show’s future, but also Fox News’s broader programming direction.

A Cultural Moment in Cable News

With one announcement, Fox News managed to ignite the most explosive media conversation of the year. Sandra Smith replacing Jessica Tarlov. Johnny Joey Jones entering the panel as an energetic force. Two decisions that have already reshaped expectations, fan debates, and industry predictions.

The Five is no longer just a roundtable.
It is now a live experiment in chemistry, personality, and cultural resonance.
A show stepping boldly into a new era.

Whether viewers cheer, question, or critique the changes, one reality stands firm:

Everyone is watching.

And that is precisely what Fox intended.