Polishing the Crown Jewel: Inside the Rumored Fox News Shakeup to Replace Jessica Tarlov with Harold Ford Jr. on ‘The Five’

In the brutal, zero-sum game of cable television, where ratings are the only currency that matters, success isn’t just about winning; it’s about total domination. The latest Nielsen ratings have painted a stark picture of this reality, with Fox News achieving a near-total annihilation of its competition.

Yet, in a fascinating paradox, at the absolute height of its power, the network is reportedly considering a major, high-stakes shakeup on its number one rated show, “The Five.” The whispers echoing through the industry suggest a calculated power play is underway to potentially replace the show’s liberal voice, Jessica Tarlov, with former Democratic congressman Harold Ford Jr.

The story begins with the ratings. Fox News claimed a staggering fourteen of the top fifteen spots in cable news, a near-monopoly on the nation’s attention. While shows like “Hannity” and “The Ingraham Angle” crushed their rivals, the network’s undisputed crown jewel remains “The Five.”

This public triumph, however, has reportedly fueled a private, strategic debate within the network: how do you perfect a formula that is already dominant? For some executives, the answer lies in optimizing the chemistry of its most important asset.

To understand the immense pressure on “The Five,” you must first understand the meteoric rise of its co-host, Jesse Watters. Once a secondary personality, Watters has become arguably the most powerful figure in cable news. In an almost unheard-of achievement, he now hosts both the #1 (“The Five”) and #2 (“Jesse Watters Primetime”) most-watched shows in the nation. This “double crown” gives him an unparalleled level of influence, transforming him into the network’s new gravitational center—a kingmaker whose success shapes the channel’s future.

This influence has reportedly intensified the scrutiny on “The Five.” Network sources have linked the discussions about replacing Tarlov directly to a desire to protect and enhance Watters’s primetime empire. The thinking, one producer stated, is simple: “If The Five is the crown jewel, why not polish it?”

At the heart of this rumored shakeup is a fundamental clash of styles. Jessica Tarlov has carved out a distinct and successful role as the show’s resident liberal antagonist. Her sharp, often fiery clashes with her conservative co-hosts generate viral moments and guarantee the ideological conflict that is central to the show’s appeal.

For years, this tension has been a key ingredient in the recipe for success. However, as the show’s audience continues to grow, some executives are reportedly questioning if her confrontational style is the best fit for its long-term evolution, fearing it could alienate swing viewers who prefer a more substantive discussion over a political brawl.

Harold Ford Jr. represents a completely different approach. The former congressman has built a reputation on Fox News as a calm, polished, and thoughtful commentator who can articulate liberal viewpoints without resorting to hostility.

Unlike Tarlov, Ford often seeks to find common ground and bridge ideological divides. Insiders whisper that this measured persona has caught the attention of the network’s leadership, who see him as a potential asset to attract a broader audience and more advertisers. The discussion is described as “strategic, not personal.”

This internal deliberation is happening while Fox’s rivals are in a state of near-total collapse. The latest ratings were a bloodbath for CNN, which failed to place a single program in the Top 15—a profound humiliation for a network that once set the global news standard. This collapse of the competition gives Fox the freedom to make bold internal moves without any real fear of losing its audience to a competitor.

The speculation around “The Five” is a fascinating glimpse into the ruthless, forward-thinking strategy that keeps Fox News at the top. This is not a network reacting to failure; it is a dynasty proactively looking for ways to fortify its reign. The fates of Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. now represent two competing visions for the future of cable news’s most important and influential show. While the outcome remains a rumor, the conversation itself reveals a network that, even in a moment of overwhelming victory, is already planning its next move.