Fox News executives have settled on a shortlist of names to replace Greg Gutfeld, former host of the network’s popular graveyard-shift comedy-news hybrid Red Eye.
Gutfeld left the show in February to begin developing a weekend program. In that time, several regular contributors at Fox have served as substitutes.
The future of Red Eye is important to Fox because, even in its obscure 3 a.m. time slot, the show generates substantial profit, according to a source within the network who requested anonymity.
Most likely to replace Gutfeld, who also co-hosts The Five at 5 p.m., is Andy Levy, a longtime contributor to the eight-year-old show.
Levy is a libertarian who serves as the show’s “ombudsman,” issuing fake corrections and offering humorous analysis of the day’s news. He joined Fox in 2007.
Other Fox News contributors and Red Eye regulars being considered for the position are Jedediah Bila, who often co-hosts the midday program Outnumbered; Joanne Nosuchinsky, a current co-host of Red Eye; and Sherrod Small, a comedian and panelist on Red Eye.
There is also a possibility Fox will bring in someone from outside the network like John Phillips, a right-leaning radio host based in Los Angeles, according to an insider. Phillips, who is openly gay, has appeared on Red Eye in the past and his radio show, like Red Eye, mixes humor with current events.
Fox News did not return a request for comment.
