OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A longtime Fox News host on the hit show “The Five” is scratching his head after being told that he will not be on the program for the rest of the week.
Liberal host Geraldo Rivera took to Twitter to inform his followers that his planned appearances on the show for Thursday and Friday had been canceled.
“My appearances today and tomorrow on The Five have been canceled. I’m sure there’s a good reason. Never fear, I’ll be back week after next. Stay safe and happy. Thanks,” Rivera tweeted, adding that he would be returning to the show soon.
Fox News has been beset with uncertainty after abruptly firing top-rated host Tucker Carlson last week. There’s no indication that Rivera being taken off the schedule this week means he will be fired or removed from the show, but the timing has certainly raised some questions.
My appearances today and tomorrow on The Five have been canceled. I’m sure there’s a good reason. Never fear, I’ll be back week after next. Stay safe and happy. Thanks 🙏
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) May 4, 2023
While it may not be related to his canceled appearances, Rivera came under fire in recent weeks for his comments about Carlson.
Popular Fox News host Greg Gutfeld defended Carlson twice last week, once on Twitter and another time during an episode of “The Five.”
Gutfeld took to Twitter to hit back at his colleague Rivera, who had issued some seething comments about Carlson after his departure.
Rivera tweeted: “I don’t wish ill on anybody, but there is no doubt – as I said at the time-Tucker Carlson’s perverse January 6 conspiracy theory was ‘bullsh*t.’ Having lost the election President Trump incited an insurrection that sought to undermine our Constitutional process.”
In response, Gutfeld hit back at Rivera for taking a shot at Carlson, which came across as Gutfeld was offering support to his former colleague.
“You’re a class act Geraldo. A real man of the people,” Gutfeld tweeted.
You’re a class act Geraldo. A real man of the people. https://t.co/20LOwVzXwS
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) April 26, 2023
During a segment last week on “The Five,” Gutfeld joked that Carlson will run for president — and several of the hosts did not say a word.
Dana Perino took a sip of her drink, Jason Chaffetz laughed, and Jeanine Pirro immediately moved on and kicked the show over to a new segment on a different topic.
It seemed as if no one wanted to talk about Carlson or the explosive news, which could suggest that on-air hosts may have been told to not discuss the situation.
But Gutfeld was not afraid to mention Carlson and appeared defiant.
The conversation at the table began when they discussed President Joe Biden’s re-election prospects. Chaffetz predicted that even though Biden will likely announce re-election, he will ultimately not run. Biden did announce early on Tuesday morning that he is running for a second term.
“I think she actually might be a candidate,” Chaffetz said. “I don’t think Joe Biden – even though he may announce tomorrow – I don’t think by the time he gets to the end of the year he’s actually going to run.”
As the end of the segment neared, Gutfeld joked about Carlson by saying: “And then so in 2024, it’ll be Susan Rice versus Tucker Carlson.”
“Ok,” Pirro said before teasing the next segment and kicking the show to commercial.
WATCH:
Gutfeld Jokes Tucker Carlson Will Run for President After Getting Fired by Fox Newspic.twitter.com/CDcbMfpdZP
— Patriot Alerts (@alerts___) April 25, 2023
After Tucker Carlson Gets Axed From Fox News, Sean Hannity Gets The News He Has Been Dreadinghttps://t.co/3MSPfHNMNV
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) May 4, 2023
Tucker Carlson Gets First Official Offer – Massive $100 Million Deal To Join New Networkhttps://t.co/2VVD4InVp8
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) May 3, 2023
‘You’ve Been Canceled': Fox News Host Fired Seconds Before Show Started As Network Is In Shambleshttps://t.co/MfET802WvP
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) May 3, 2023
Gutfeld continues to be the most dominant force in cable news as a co-host of both “The Five” and his late-night show “Gutfeld!”
The popular host also just announced a new book, titled, “The King of Late Night,” which will be released July 25, and details how Gutfeld “destroyed the mainstream late-night landscape of heavyweights and became the host of the #1 late night show in all of television.”
Gutfeld’s late-night show also continues to bring in historic viewership for Fox News.
As of now, Gutfeld appears to be the undisputed top host at Fox News in terms of viewership.
“The Five” remains one of the most popular shows in all of cable news and “Gutfeld!” has been racking up historic numbers.
