Fox News has detonated the political media landscape with an announcement so unexpected, so unprecedented, and so fiercely debated that viewers across the country are still struggling to process what just happened.
In a move executives are calling “a strategic evolution,” long-time anchor Sandra Smith will officially replace Jessica Tarlov on The Five, marking one of the most dramatic on-air changes the show has seen in years.
And that wasn’t even the biggest surprise.
Moments later, Fox also confirmed that Johnny Joey Jones — Marine veteran, commentator, audience favorite, and the man known for his unfiltered candor and unshakable patriotic edge — will join the program as a rotating co-host, stepping into the panel with a mix of humor, grit, and unmistakable energy.
The announcement hit the internet like a lightning bolt.
Online forums exploded.
Twitter shook.
YouTube commentators dropped emergency livestreams.
And Fox News viewers… simply could not look away.
The moment the official press release went out, media insiders were already calling it “the boldest change in years,” while fans flooded every platform with theories, celebrations, concerns, predictions, and full-emotion reactions that have turned this story into the hottest topic on Fox News in 2025.
What does this mean for the show?
What led to the decision?
And what happens next?
Let’s break it down.
A DECISION YEARS IN THE MAKING — AND NO ONE SAW IT COMING
Behind the scenes, Fox insiders say the decision to replace Jessica Tarlov wasn’t sudden — but the timing was carefully guarded and known only by a tiny circle of executives.
That secrecy amplified the shock.
Sandra Smith, a respected journalist with years of credibility on America’s Newsroom and The Story, has long been seen as one of Fox’s most balanced voices — sharp, composed, professional, and unflinching under political fire.
But moving her to The Five?
That was a curveball even veteran producers didn’t predict.
As one insider commented:
“People assumed if Fox ever shook up The Five, they’d add commentary voices. Instead, they brought in a journalist with credibility and backbone. That’s a statement.”
A massive one.
Because The Five isn’t a traditional news desk — it’s rapid-fire debate, spontaneous chemistry, personality clashes, punchlines, and unpredictable exchanges.
It’s a battlefield of opinions disguised as a roundtable.
Bringing Sandra into that mix is a daring experiment.
Will she bring calm?
Will she bring sharper questions?
Will she clash with the more fiery co-hosts?
No one knows.
But millions are watching.
THE EXIT OF JESSICA TARLOV — A TURNING POINT THAT RAISED IMMEDIATE QUESTIONS
Jessica Tarlov’s exit wasn’t explained in depth, and that immediately fueled curiosity.
She’s been one of the show’s most recognizable voices — the liberal seat, the counterweight, the spark that kept discussions lively, unpredictable, and deeply emotional.
Many fans praised her quick intellect.
Others criticized her intense debates with Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters.
But no matter which side you were on, there’s no denying she shaped the show’s personality for years.
Her departure is the end of an era.
And the beginning of something radically different.
ENTER JOHNNY JOEY JONES — THE WILDCARD WITH A MARINE’S EDGE
If Sandra Smith’s addition was the surprise move…
Johnny Joey Jones joining as rotating co-host was the moment that set the internet on fire.
Jones is known for three things:
1. His unfiltered honesty.2. His humor that cuts through tension with a single sentence.
3. His raw Marine spirit — fearless, authentic, and deeply American.
He’s the opposite of scripted.
He’s the opposite of polished messaging.
He brings reality.
He brings lived experience.
He brings a voice that resonates with veterans, working-class Americans, and viewers who want more truth and less political fencing.
Minutes after the announcement, Jones posted a short message:
“Honored to join The Five. Let’s have some honest conversations.”
That alone generated tens of thousands of reactions.
Because if anyone can change the tone of a show instantly, it’s him.
FANS ERUPT — CELEBRATION, CONFUSION, AND SERIOUS DEBATE
Within 30 minutes, the internet looked like a digital earthquake zone.
Comment threads across Reddit, X, YouTube, Facebook, and Truth Social exploded with reactions from all angles.
Some fans celebrated the fresh lineup.
Others were confused, even shocked, by the removal of Tarlov.
A few questioned whether Sandra Smith’s calm, journalistic style fits the raw, combative nature of the show.
But nearly everyone agreed on one thing:
Johnny Joey Jones is the wildcard.
Some fans believe he’ll bring laughter.
Some think he’ll bring intensity.
Some say he’ll bring a completely new cultural energy that will reshape debates entirely.
Just a sample of the online commentary:
“Jones is going to shake that table so hard they’ll need to bolt it to the floor.”
“Sandra Smith? Did not see that coming. But she’s solid. This might actually work.”
“Tarlov leaving is huge. Jones arriving is bigger. Fox just rewrote its own script.”
“Is The Five about to become The Five and a Half Marines?”
The passion is overwhelming.
THE REAL QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING: WHAT WILL THE CHEMISTRY LOOK LIKE?
There are five seats on a table that lives or dies by chemistry.
And chemistry isn’t built — it combusts.
So the question on everyone’s mind is simple:
What happens when Sandra Smith’s calm professionalism meets Johnny Joey Jones’ explosive Marine intensity?
Pair that with:
Greg Gutfeld’s sarcasm,Jesse Watters’ punchlines,Dana Perino’s command presence,
and Judge Jeanine’s unmistakable fire…
Suddenly you have a lineup that feels both unpredictable and refreshingly new.
Media analysts are already comparing it to a “controlled storm” or “chemistry roulette.”
Because one unexpected exchange…
One perfectly timed joke…
One heated moment…
Could redefine the show.
FOX EXECUTIVES RESPOND — “THIS IS THE FUTURE WE ENVISIONED”
Hours after the chaos went viral, Fox News executives finally broke their silence.
Their message was simple:
“Viewers evolve. The country changes. Conversations shift. It’s time for The Five to evolve with them.”
They emphasized that the new lineup is designed to:
• bring more dynamic voices• appeal to younger viewers• elevate authentic, experience-driven commentary
• introduce sharper debates without breaking the show’s core identity
And the star of that strategy?
Johnny Joey Jones.
Executives repeatedly mentioned his ability to bring “real-world perspective” into high-stakes discussions.
Perspective built not in classrooms…
But in combat zones.
Perspective shaped not by analysts…
But by life-changing experiences that demand honesty.
That’s why producers are confident he’ll resonate.
MEDIA OUTLETS REACT — AND SOME CAN’T HIDE THEIR SURPRISE
Even competing networks reacted — some with praise, some with envy, some with concern.
MSNBC commentators questioned the ideological balance.
CNN analysts wondered whether Jones’ addition would boost ratings.
Independent journalists openly admitted they didn’t expect such a sudden move.
But almost all agreed:
Fox News is betting big.
Bigger than anyone expected.
And audiences are glued to the screen.
THE FIVE JUST ENTERED A NEW ERA — AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT
Whether viewers support the change or not, one truth is undeniable:
The Five has never looked like this.
New energy.
New dynamic.
New risks.
New unpredictability.
Sandra Smith brings structure.
Johnny Joey Jones brings force.
Together, they create a formula that could push the show into an entirely new chapter — one that younger viewers, veterans, political junkies, and longtime fans will all be debating for months.
This move wasn’t just a cast change.
It was a declaration.
A challenge.
A spark.
And the internet can’t stop talking about it.
IN THE END, ONE THING IS CLEAR…
Fox News didn’t just adjust a panel.
They rewired one of their flagship programs.
They didn’t just add a new co-host.
They added a new temperature.
And they didn’t just create conversation.
They created a cultural moment.
Right now, millions are waiting for the next episode with a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and pure anticipation.
Will Jones clash with Gutfeld?
Will Sandra redefine the liberal seat role?
Will the tone shift into something brand new?
No one knows.
And that’s exactly why everyone is watching.
