Posted on 05/27/2021 5:51:01 PM PDT by Signalman
Fox News commentator and political analyst Juan Williams announced that he will no longer appear on "The Five" after reportedly being forced out by fellow co-host Greg Gutfeld.
"This is my last day hosting 'The Five,'" Williams stated on-air late Wednesday evening. "COVID taught me a lot of lessons. As the show goes back to the New York studio, I'll be staying in D.C. I'll be working for Fox out of Washington. My work as a Fox News political analyst will continue."
Sources at Fox News told The Daily Beast that Gutfeld mounted a pressure campaign against Williams inside the network, urging at least one member of Fox's top brass to let Williams go when the show's "liberal" co-host was reluctant to return to the studio in person.
One network insider told The Daily Beast that Gutfeld had been pushing Albano for a while to get Williams removed from The Five, adding that Gutfeld was "really pissed they're not all back in the studio together and he blames Juan for not being back."
A former Fox News producer further elaborated, stating they were "very confident" that Gutfeld was behind Williams' exit. A current staffer also added: "[Gutfeld's] been wanting the show back in the studio for quite some time."
One current Fox News staffer told The Beast that in future the program might "not book Democrats at all."
One network insider told The Daily Beast that Gutfeld had been pushing Albano for a while to get Williams removed from The Five, adding that Gutfeld was "really pissed they're not all back in the studio together and he blames Juan for not being back."
A former Fox News producer further elaborated, stating they were "very confident" that Gutfeld was behind Williams' exit. A current staffer also added: "[Gutfeld's] been wanting the show back in the studio for quite some time."
One current Fox News staffer told The Beast that in future the program might "not book Democrats at all."
Following the sudden programming change, Fox News vice president Megan Albano said in a statement to Salon that Williams had expressed a desire to stay in the Washington area:
As Juan Williams announced on air today, he will be leaving The Five to live in Washington, DC full time. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to the show and its success over the last several years. As we started planning The Five's return to its New York City studio at our headquarters a few months ago, Juan decided to stay in Washington, DC permanently. We accommodated his request, understanding and appreciating his desire to remain closer to his family and recognizing that a remote co-hosting role on a roundtable in-studio program was not a long-term option. While we will miss his insightful contributions each night and look forward to welcoming him on set whenever he's in New York, we are pleased to have him continue his longtime role as a senior political analyst with FOX News Media.
The Daily Beast reports that Fox News plans to allow "a rotating series of liberal commentators" to display their skills in Williams' slot before settling on an eventual replacement.
Williams has long sparred with the predominantly conservative co-hosts in the evening hour but has been seen as standing his ground over the years. He is widely respected for his willingness to call out his own network's mistakes, but in sufficiently diplomatic terms to ensure a lengthy tenure at Fox News.
Unnamed Sources is alive and well
Really who cares??? Williams is a jerk
Both of Juan’s sons are conservative Republicans. I imagine they watched dad on The Five and listened to all the other people who made a lot more sense than their dad.
I’ll do without. If I can’t touch it, I ain’t watching it!
“Gutfeld mounted a pressure campaign,” because Gutfeld is smart, listens to the audience and looks at ratings. Losers like the liberal on the Five are dumb, repulsive and pro-abortion.
Good. Now see what you can do about Jerry Rivers...
“my mind,
my choice”
;^)
(we all need to use their own tactics against them, drive them bonkers ;D )
Going by your nick I bet there is a segment that is your fave!
Is there a fly-by-night Camera Crew School anyone can recommend?
'Spose a guy could pick up a sheepskin cheap in Tucson.
Only problem is it might still be warm.
Alas...cold and starving... brave Sir Robin and his men were forced to eat his minstrels..
They rejoiced...
Looks like it!
How many here watch Fox anymore....
bring Bob Beckel back
Bump!
I knew it! When Juan said his farewell, Greg did not say good bye. It was awkward, but Juan deserved it. I watch The Five every day. Juan was becoming more intolerable than ever. Good riddance.
Same here.
Hey FOX news.
Donna Brazile will not go over as she is a lying biased piece of crap.
Dig up Bob Beckel.
“...snarkey yes but I enjoy that humor!!!”
Snarkey yes, but he has a very creative mind. Always coming up with new segments. I remember his Red Eye show with segments including his Mom. Don’t know if it is really his Mom but it was funny.
Greg ‘created’ Red Eye, then The Five, followed by his own Saturday night show that has now morphed into Gutfeld! Mon. through Friday.
Greg may come across as a little snarky sometimes, but that is usually when he’s emphasizing some point in his subject matter. ...I think he has some pull with the Execs. because his shows typically draw the top viewership in their time slots. ...........JMO
Juan relies on the skewed leftist polls far too much to form his political opinions.
He constantly has said “the majority of Americans” favor this or that...
Polling 1200 people, with a 15-20% Dem advantage over Pubs does NOT represent leanings of the majority of Americans; it’s just the majority of the poll respondents.
I used to watch RedEye. It was during the Glenn Beck era. I recall when Gregs mother was alive.She would visit the show and makes a few jokes.
She was a darling.
That racist jerk Geraldo was filling in for Juan on today’s show of The Five!
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