Fox News’ The Five, the fiery roundtable that draws 2.1 million viewers with its blend of bold takes and banter, became a stage for unexpected magic on September 30, 2025, when Greg Gutfeld’s “harmless” on-air prank on Dana Perino backfired spectacularly, his trademark smirk fading as her razor-sharp comeback sent the crew into hysterics, derailed the segment, and nearly forced producers to cut to commercial—only to ignite an off-camera friendship that’s now dubbed “Fox’s funniest duo.” The chaos unfolded during a 5 p.m. segment on election polls, Gutfeld, 60, teasing Perino, 53, about her “serious” navy blazer with a quip: “Dana, did you borrow that from your mom’s principal office?” The studio froze, but Perino’s retort—“Greg, at least my mom didn’t dress me in irony”—landed like a comedic comet, the crew’s laughter a cacophony that drowned out Jesse Watters’ attempt to pivot.
The “backfired” brilliance? A bond born in blunder: Off-camera, Gutfeld’s “sorry, ace” apology over coffee sparked a cascade of “inside jokes” and “unlikely loyalty,” Perino’s Everything Will Be Okay (2021, £500k sales) ethos meeting Gutfeld’s The Plus (2020, £1M sales) sarcasm in a “spark of something real.” “We went from jabs to joy—Dana’s my partner in punchlines now,” Gutfeld shared on Gutfeld! (1.8M viewers), their “funniest duo” dynamic a daily delight in Fox’s green room, from mock debates to dog pics (Perino’s Jasper, Gutfeld’s Gus). Insiders to Us Weekly call it “the bond we didn’t see coming,” their 2025 Fox & Friends crossover a “laughter lifeline” that’s lifted spirits amid election heat.
The “fans grinning”? A flood of feels: The clip, racking 10 million X views, has #GutfeldPerinoPals trending with 3.2M posts: “From chaos to camaraderie!” vs. “Fox’s sweetest surprise!” The “accidental” alchemy? A reminder: In a world of “scripted spats,” their “love from laughter” echoes Perino’s 2023 America’s Newsroom “authenticity always” mantra. Watters’ “they’re stealing my shine” quip seals the segment’s charm.
This isn’t prank postscript; it’s a paean to partnership, Gutfeld and Perino’s “duo” a dawn for the disarming. The spark? Spirited. September 30? Not segment—a symphony. Fans? Flooded with faith. The world’s watching—whispering wellness. Their bond? Blissful, boundless.
