Greg Gutfeld’s Second Child: Will It Disrupt Filming Schedules for Gutfeld! and The Five?

Greg Gutfeld, the comedic powerhouse behind Fox News’ Gutfeld! and co-host of The Five, has become a central figure in cable news, with his sharp wit and polarizing takes driving record-breaking ratings. The announcement that Gutfeld, 60, and his wife, Elena Moussa, 42, are expecting their second child—following the birth of their daughter Mira in December 2024—has sparked widespread buzz. Gutfeld’s quip during a May 1, 2025, Gutfeld! taping, “We said we wouldn’t have kids, but life has a twist,” accompanied by an ultrasound photo, confirmed the pregnancy, marking a significant personal milestone. But with Gutfeld’s pivotal role in two of Fox News’ top-rated shows, the question looms: Will this second child force a major overhaul of filming schedules for Gutfeld! and The Five in 2025? This article examines the potential impact, drawing on Gutfeld’s past absences, Fox News’ operational strategies, and the network’s packed 2025 lineup.

Gutfeld’s First Child: A Precedent for Disruption

To gauge the potential impact of Gutfeld’s second child, it’s instructive to look at how Mira’s birth affected his professional commitments. In November 2024, Gutfeld took a three-week hiatus from both Gutfeld! and The Five, initially unexplained, prompting fan speculation about his health or job status. On December 10, 2024, Dana Perino announced on The Five that Gutfeld and Moussa had welcomed Mira, and he extended his absence to a 46-day paternity leave, returning January 6, 2025.

During this period, Gutfeld! relied on guest hosts like Kat Timpf, Tyrus, and Tom Shillue, but fan reactions on X and Reddit were mixed, with many calling the show “flat” or “boring” without Gutfeld’s unique delivery. Comments like “Kat and Tyrus cannot do the job” and “The show is not Gutfeld without Greg” underscored his irreplaceable presence. The Five fared better, with its ensemble format—featuring Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Jeanine Pirro, Harold Ford Jr., and Jessica Tarlov—absorbing Gutfeld’s absence more seamlessly, though fans still noted a “gaping hole” in the dynamic.

The extended leave disrupted Gutfeld!’s momentum, with some viewers reporting they stopped watching, though ratings for both shows remained strong, with The Five averaging 4.7 million viewers and Gutfeld! holding 2.55 million in Q1 2025. Gutfeld’s return was met with relief, but his absence highlighted the challenge of replacing him, particularly on his eponymous late-night show.

The Second Child: Expected Impact

Gutfeld’s confirmation of a second child, expected sometime in late 2025 based on the May 1 ultrasound reveal, suggests another potential leave. Assuming a similar timeline to Mira’s birth, Gutfeld could take 4–6 weeks of paternity leave, likely around the due date, which might fall between September and November 2025. His March 2025 absence from The Five, speculated to align with early pregnancy appointments, indicates he may prioritize family during key moments, though no official reason was provided.

Gutfeld!: A Scheduling Challenge

Gutfeld!, airing weeknights at 10:00 P.M. ET, is heavily dependent on Gutfeld’s persona. The show’s format—monologue, panel discussions, and segments like “Greg’s Leftovers” or “A Story in Five Words”—relies on his sardonic humor and quick wit, which guest hosts struggled to replicate during his 2024 absence. With Gutfeld! topping late-night ratings, averaging 3 million viewers and leading the 25–54 demographic, any disruption risks alienating its loyal audience.

Fox News is unlikely to rewrite the show’s filming schedule entirely, given its live studio taping in New York City and consistent weeknight slot. Instead, the network will likely lean on familiar guest hosts again. Kat Timpf, despite mixed fan feedback, is a regular panelist and experienced fill-in, though her own pregnancy (announced in 2024) could complicate her availability in late 2025. Tom Shillue, praised by fans for his comedic chops, is a strong candidate, having joined Gutfeld on his 2025 live tour. Tyrus, another regular, may also step in, though Reddit posts suggest he’s less popular as a host.

To mitigate viewer backlash, Fox could pre-tape segments with Gutfeld before his leave, a strategy used during breaking news preemptions, though this is less feasible for a live show. Alternatively, the network might experiment with guest hosts like Jamie Lissow, a Gutfeld! regular set to appear on Gutfeld’s Fox Nation series What Did I Miss?, premiering May 12, 2025. However, fan sentiment suggests prolonged absences could dent viewership, as seen in 2024 when some declared they’d “turn the channel” without Gutfeld.

The Five: More Resilient but Not Immune

The Five, airing weekdays at 5:00 P.M. ET, is cable’s top-rated show, averaging 4.6 million viewers in Q1 2025. Its roundtable format, with five co-hosts discussing current events, allows for flexibility when one is absent. Gutfeld’s 2024 leave saw substitutes like Emily Compagno and Joey Jones fill in, and the show maintained its dominance, suggesting resilience to scheduling changes.

A second leave in late 2025 would likely follow a similar playbook, with minimal need to rewrite the filming schedule. The ensemble’s chemistry, honed since the show’s 2011 debut, can absorb Gutfeld’s absence, though his contrarian humor is a key draw. Fox may rotate in familiar faces like Compagno or Tarlov to maintain continuity, avoiding major disruptions. Unlike Gutfeld!, pre-taping is unnecessary, as the show thrives on live, spontaneous debate.

Additional Pressures: Gutfeld’s 2025 Commitments

Gutfeld’s second child arrives amid a packed 2025 schedule, complicating potential absences. Beyond his regular hosting duties, he’s embarked on a 12-city “Gutfeld Live 2025” tour, running from March to October, with stops in cities like Knoxville, TN, and Sugar Land, TX. The tour, featuring Tom Shillue and surprise guests, demands significant time, though most dates are weekends, minimizing conflicts with weekday tapings.

Additionally, Gutfeld is helming What Did I Miss?, a three-part Fox Nation game show premiering May 12–14, 2025, where contestants isolated for three months guess real versus fake headlines. Filming, likely completed by April 2025, won’t overlap with a late-2025 paternity leave, but promotional duties could add strain. Gutfeld’s contract extension with Fox News, signed in April 2024, also includes occasional Fox Nation projects, further stretching his commitments.

Fox News’ Strategic Considerations

Fox News, under CEO Suzanne Scott, views Gutfeld as a cornerstone, with Gutfeld! and The Five driving the network’s dominance—3.09 million primetime viewers in Q1 2025, up 50% from 2024. His ability to attract younger viewers (18–49 and 25–54 demographics) is critical, especially as Fox competes with broadcast late-night shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. A prolonged absence risks ceding ground, but Fox’s experience managing Gutfeld’s 2024 leave suggests preparedness.

The network’s deep bench of talent—Watters, Perino, Timpf, and others—provides flexibility, and Gutfeld’s multi-year contract ensures long-term stability. Fox may also leverage Gutfeld’s return from paternity leave for publicity, as seen in January 2025 when his comeback boosted social media engagement. However, fan frustration with guest hosts on Gutfeld! indicates a need for stronger substitutes or creative solutions, like hybrid tapings with Gutfeld appearing remotely for select segments, though this is untested.

Public and Cultural Implications

Gutfeld’s second child, following his unexpected shift from childless advocate to father, amplifies his narrative as a cultural contrarian. Fans on X celebrate his late-in-life parenthood, with posts like “Greg at 60 with two kids? Iconic!” Critics, however, question whether he’s milking personal milestones for ratings, especially after the ultrasound reveal’s ambiguity sparked stunt theories. His openness about fatherhood’s challenges—relying on Moussa, whom he calls the “real MVP”—adds relatability, but a second leave could test viewer patience, particularly for Gutfeld!.

Culturally, Gutfeld’s growing family challenges norms around age and parenting, aligning with his outsider persona. His ability to balance this with his provocative commentary will shape his public image, especially as he navigates a politically charged 2025 under a new Trump administration.

Conclusion: Disruption Likely, but Manageable

Greg Gutfeld’s second child is a major personal turning point, but its impact on Gutfeld! and The Five filming schedules will likely be manageable, not revolutionary. Gutfeld! faces the greater challenge, given its reliance on Gutfeld and fan dissatisfaction with guest hosts, but Fox News can mitigate this with strategic substitutions and pre-planned content. The Five’s ensemble format ensures minimal disruption, with co-hosts and substitutes maintaining its rhythm. Gutfeld’s 2025 tour and Fox Nation commitments add complexity, but Fox’s experience with his 2024 paternity leave and deep talent pool suggest both shows will weather the storm. While no major schedule rewrites are imminent, Gutfeld’s absence will test Fox’s ability to keep viewers engaged, reinforcing his indispensable role in the network’s success.