Jessica Tarlov, a prominent liberal commentator, has renewed her contract with Fox News for an additional three years, solidifying her position on the highly-rated panel show "The Five." The new agreement ensures Tarlov will continue to rotate in the liberal seat on the program, which airs weekdays at 5 p.m. Eastern, and provide political analysis across other Fox News and Fox Business programming.
"It’s always a great affirmation of your seat at the table." Jessica Tarlov, Fox News Commentator
Tarlov confirmed the new deal in an interview with Marie Claire, describing the contract as "a great affirmation of your seat at the table." She emphasized that despite the frequently contentious nature of her on-air appearances, the agreement signals the network's continued view of her as "a valued element in this discourse." TV Insider separately reported the three-year extension.
Joining Fox News as a contributor in 2017, Tarlov quickly became a recognizable figure due to her role on "The Five." The program's format often places her in direct debate with conservative co-hosts such as Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, and Emily Compagno. Compagno recently became a permanent co-host following Jeanine Pirro’s departure, with Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. continuing to share the liberal seat rotation.
Tarlov noted that the show's structure typically allocates about 90 seconds for her to present an argument, requiring her to articulate her position quickly while facing multiple co-hosts who often disagree. "If I’m going to get 90 seconds, I want to make the most of it," she stated. She described her strategy as sometimes beginning disagreements with humor or a "backhanded compliment" to lower the emotional temperature before making her case, likening it to an "olive branch."
Despite the often-combative on-screen exchanges, Tarlov maintained that her relationships with her fellow panelists off-camera are considerably friendlier. She recounted that "Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld actually care about me as a person," though she acknowledged these personal bonds do not mitigate their political disagreements. Tarlov shared details of her close relationship with Gutfeld, including regular communication outside work and attending his daughter's first birthday party. She has also socialized with other cast members, including Perino and Compagno, attributing these friendships to her ability to separate personal relationships from political differences and to view her colleagues as individuals beyond their ideological stances. This perspective was echoed in the Marie Claire profile, which noted her ability to maintain close relationships despite frequent on-air clashes.
The commentator also reflected on more emotional moments during her tenure at Fox, including discussing her late father, film producer and winemaker Mark Tarlov, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with tongue cancer. Tarlov has linked his illness to exposure following the September 11 attacks. She recalled how her colleagues temporarily softened their usual confrontational approach when she became emotional while speaking about her grief on "The Five." "There was great relief and also discomfort," Tarlov said of finally sharing her personal loss publicly.
The renewed contract arrives as Tarlov prepares for the release of her book, "I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends." The book reportedly delves into themes of political disagreement, personal relationships, and her experiences as an ideological minority on "The Five." Fox News consistently highlights "The Five" as one of its signature programs, frequently ranking among the most-watched shows in cable news. The network stated in August that it remained the top-rated program across all of cable television. Tarlov’s new three-year deal underscores Fox’s commitment to retaining a prominent ideological counterweight, recognizing her role as a key component of the program's dynamic and its sustained success.
