Who Could Replace Tucker at Fox News?

A highly speculative close read on the contenders

Greg Gutfeld An ascendant personality since joining Fox News in 2007, Gutfeld is a natural choice for primetime. He’s already flanking the block on both sides with evening panel show The Five and Gutfeld! at 11 p.m. Fox devotees clearly love the host. The only thing working against him is that he’s possibly not far right enough for Carlson’s former roost. Then again, people can change.

Megyn Kelly Conservative media’s prodigal daughter returned to the soapbox after her failed attempt as a centrist on NBC News. With only a SiriusXM podcast and a rough-and-ready YouTube channel for outlets, she’s certainly in the market for a bigger platform. Kelly would bring viewers, for sure, though she may turn off just as many. The Bombshell inspiration has been critical of Fox News since her 2017 departure.

Jeanine Pirro Of the three members of The Five on this shortlist, Pirro most closely captures Carlson’s hallmark fearmongering and hysterics. But the vocal Kyle Rittenhouse defender (“That’s a good kid!”) also shares the stink of the Dominion lawsuit. After that $787.5 million settlement, network brass might not be inclined to give 8 o’clock to a 2020 election truther.

Clay Travis The Fox Sports personality and radio host was a frequent Carlson guest, including what proved to be his final telecast, always eager to share in the former host’s outrage. Picking Travis would allow Fox News to go with someone on the payroll without cannibalizing its lineup. Still, the founder of OutKick — not to be confused with queer media brand Outsports — lacks the on-camera experience of fellow contenders.

Jesse Watters Another in-house option already pulling double duty is Watters, who has The Five and inaccurately titled 7 p.m. entry Jesse Watters Primetime.

(The correct term for that hour is “early fringe,” Jesse.) A move to 8 o’clock would make an honest man out of Watters — or, at the very least, better reconcile the name of his show.