Inside the Unscripted Friendship of Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino — The Unexpected Heart of The Five

Behind the sharp political debates, fiery exchanges, and headline-grabbing commentary on The Five, there’s something refreshingly human happening just below the surface. Amid the spirited back-and-forth, two unlikely co-hosts have emerged as the show’s emotional center — a dynamic duo whose offbeat chemistry has quietly captured the hearts of millions: Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino.

He’s the sharp-tongued provocateur, known for his irreverence, rapid-fire wit, and tendency to push the limits of cable news decorum. She’s the poised, professional anchor, with an aura of calm precision and the steady voice of reason. On paper, they couldn’t be more different. On screen, they’re magic.

Their banter is electric, their timing impeccable. But what makes their relationship stand out is not just the comedy — it’s the authentic friendship that anchors it. Beneath the humor, the pranks, and the occasional eye-roll, there’s a deep and genuine bond that viewers can feel, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

📺 The Moment That Started It All

Their friendship didn’t just appear overnight — it evolved naturally, one unscripted moment at a time. Fans often point to one memorable exchange in 2022 as the beginning of their on-air magic.

During a lively discussion, Gutfeld mispronounced the word Schadenfreude. As the segment cut to commercial, Perino — with her trademark grace and playful smirk — teased him relentlessly for it. Instead of deflecting with sarcasm, Gutfeld grabbed a notepad, scrawled the word out phonetically, and drew a stick figure of himself wearing a dunce cap. Then, with exaggerated solemnity, he slid the note across the table to Perino.

The result? Dana Perino dissolved into uncontrollable laughter. By the time the show returned, she was wiping away tears, still giggling, while Gutfeld continued as if nothing had happened. It was a small, unscripted moment — but it resonated. Viewers saw something rare: two colleagues laughing together, not at each other.

Clips of the exchange went viral, fans flooded comment sections with praise, and a new fan-favorite duo was born. What could have been a throwaway blooper became the moment that defined their chemistry — unforced, spontaneous, and deeply human.

💐 Acts of Kindness Behind the Cameras

Their friendship, however, isn’t built solely on humor. Off-screen, Gutfeld and Perino’s bond is grounded in kindness, empathy, and mutual respect.

In 2021, when Perino lost her beloved dog, Jasper — a moment that deeply affected her fans — Gutfeld showed a side of himself that surprised even his co-workers. Quietly and without fanfare, he arranged for meals to be delivered to Perino’s home every night for a week. It was an unexpected gesture from a man more famous for punchlines than sentimentality.

On-air later, Gutfeld downplayed it in his usual deadpan style:

“I just didn’t want you living on wine and pretzels.”

Perino smiled through tears and replied that it was one of the kindest things anyone had ever done for her. The sincerity of that exchange — simple, honest, and real — gave fans a glimpse into the deeper friendship that had formed between the two.

Months later, when Gutfeld underwent a minor surgery, Perino returned the favor in her own way. She sent him crossword puzzles with a handwritten note:

“Don’t cheat — Jesse will know.”

Gutfeld later joked that the puzzles saved his sanity during recovery. But even in the humor, there was genuine gratitude — a reminder that beneath their television personas, there’s a foundation of loyalty and care.

🎤 Mischief, Music, and Mutual Mayhem

Of course, not everything about their relationship is serious. Perino and Gutfeld’s shared sense of humor often spills over into delightful mischief.

At the 2023 Fox holiday party, Perino dared Gutfeld to sing karaoke — never expecting him to take her up on it. Moments later, Gutfeld was on stage, performing an exaggerated Elvis impersonation, complete with hip swivels and mock intensity. Perino played along perfectly, swooning dramatically from the front row as colleagues howled with laughter.

When the crowd demanded an encore, Perino joined him for a duet of “I Got You Babe.” The two ended the night being affectionately dubbed “The Sonny and Cher of cable news.”

Their off-camera antics didn’t stop there. Gutfeld once swapped Perino’s on-air water with sparkling tonic, earning an icy glare and a perfectly delivered, “You’re dead to me, Greg,” before both burst into laughter. Weeks later, Perino got her revenge by plastering Gutfeld’s desk with Post-it notes labeled with “rules,” including: “No interrupting me today.”

It’s the kind of playful teasing that only works when there’s trust — and their friendship is full of it.

“They can joke because they know they’re safe with each other,” says one Five staff member. “What you see on screen is exactly what they’re like off it — real friends who just happen to make great television.”

💬 The Heart of “The Five”

In a show known for its heated debates and strong personalities, Gutfeld and Perino’s rapport serves as a grounding force. He brings energy and irreverence; she brings composure and balance. Together, they’ve become the emotional heartbeat of The Five — the yin and yang that keeps the show from tipping too far in any direction.

Their chemistry isn’t scripted, and it isn’t polished. It’s the kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured — and that’s precisely why fans love it.

“They’re like the siblings you wish you had,” one viewer wrote online. “They fight, they tease, but at the end of the day, you can tell they’d do anything for each other.”

In an industry often defined by competition and tension, their friendship is refreshing. It gives The Five a human touch — a reminder that behind the headlines and hot takes are real people with real relationships.

🕊️ A Bond That Outlasts the Broadcast

Off-camera, Gutfeld and Perino’s friendship continues to thrive. They exchange book recommendations, check in on each other’s families, and occasionally trade gifts — though usually with a comedic twist.

Their colleagues describe them as opposites who bring out the best in each other: Gutfeld’s edge balanced by Perino’s empathy, her calm softened by his unpredictability. It’s a dynamic that, according to insiders, anchors the spirit of the show.

“They remind everyone that you can debate passionately and still like each other,” one producer said. “That’s rare in television these days.”

Fans have noticed, too. The internet is filled with compilations of their funniest moments, affectionate nicknames like “PeriFeld,” and endless comments celebrating their camaraderie. For many, the friendship between Gutfeld and Perino isn’t just entertaining — it’s comforting.

❤️ Why Their Friendship Matters

In a time when television — and the world — often feels polarized, the Gutfeld-Perino friendship is proof that humor and humanity can coexist with difference. Their relationship represents something larger than just good TV chemistry; it’s a blueprint for how opposites can connect without clashing.

They don’t always agree. They don’t have to. What makes them resonate is that they respect each other — and that respect makes the laughter feel real, not rehearsed.

As Perino once put it during a rare candid interview:

“We spend so much time together that it’s impossible not to become friends. Greg makes me laugh every day, even when I don’t want to.”

And Gutfeld’s response? Classic as ever:

“I’m basically her emotional support gremlin.”

The studio audience roared. But behind the joke, there was a kernel of truth — one that defines why their connection feels so genuine.

🌟 The Friendship Fans Can’t Stop Talking About

Whether it’s a knowing glance across the table during a heated discussion, a perfectly timed joke, or a quiet act of kindness off camera, Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino have built something rare in modern television: a friendship that’s both real and resilient.

For fans of The Five, they’ve become more than hosts. They’re a reminder that even in the world of political commentary, warmth and humor still have a place.

Because behind every debate and every punchline is the same simple truth that makes their bond so special:
They make each other better — and they make millions of viewers smile along the way.