Red Eye (also known as Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld from 2007 to 2015 and Red Eye w/ Tom Shillue from 2015 to 2017) is an American late-night/early-morning satirical talk show on Fox News, which aired at 3:00 a.m. ET Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 p.m. Saturday, and 2:00 a.m. Sunday. The show featured panelists and guests discussing the latest news in politics, pop culture, entertainment, business, sports, and religion.
The show was created and originally hosted by Greg Gutfeld, a self-described libertarian. Gutfeld hosted the show from February 2007 to March 2015, and was replaced by comedian Tom Shillue on June 22, 2015.
On April 3, 2017, Fox News announced that Red Eye had been canceled. The show's final episode aired on April 7.
History Assembling the panel Andrew Levy discovered Gutfeld's writings on the Huffington Post and began leaving comments on Gutfeld's posts. As Levy's comments grew to include responses to other commenters, Levy "half-thought" the more outrageous comments were by Gutfeld himself. After discovering a post on Levy's blog on this theory, Gutfeld e-mailed Levy he did not write them, which began a correspondence between them. Gutfeld would eventually notify Levy about upcoming posts or ask him to look at his writing. Levy was also asked to join Gutfeld's new blog "The Daily Gut." Later Levy was asked by Gutfeld to join him in a new Fox News program.
Bill Schulz was an assistant editor at Stuff Magazine when Gutfeld was hired as editor in chief. Toronto Sun columnist Rachel Marsden was added later. Gutfeld remarked, "I think they just thought she would be a good kind of lightning rod."
Show's name Red Eye was originally named Wasteland in its early testing stages. At one time, a series of video clips of this early version were available on the Fox News website. The original name, Wasteland, was selected because the show was about "a land of waste" and meaninglessness. The show was later renamed Red Eye because the original name was thought to be too negative and would repel viewers. The phrase "Red Eye" was chosen because the term was likely to resonate with viewers because it somehow captured the essence of the program. John Moody, Executive Vice President of News Editorial for Fox News, stated, "We want a word... that evokes what the show is." Shelly Stevenson, senior producer at Fox News said, "we wanted to come up with something that tipped its hat to the people we are serving." According to Moody, one of the producers, among the original target audiences were "slackers and losers," the "depressed, the dissatisfied, the depraved," "bloggers,” and those "age 18–40."
Legal issues Following the first weeks of the program, the Chicago Tribune filed suit against News Corporation, the company that owns Fox News, alleging that the show's title could be confused with the Tribune's free commuter daily, RedEye, launched in 2002. Senior Vice President of Fox News John Moody proposed to U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo that Red Eye be blacked out from Chicago area viewers to prevent confusion with the Tribune's RedEye. In the event Fox News lost the case, Moody proposed cancelling Red Eye and reinstating reruns of Fox Report w/ Shepard Smith.
On April 4, Judge Bucklo denied the Tribune Co. injunction request. Bucklo stated that while the trademarks may be similar aurally, but not visually, Fox did not show intent to "pass off" Red Eye as a collaboration with the Tribune. Bucklo also noted a dissimilarity in content which "appear[ed] to include anything that strikes Gutfeld's interest." Discussion "rarely appear to last longer than a minute" and the format was "intended to be outrageous and funny." Bucklo also writes, "Animals and sexual topics dominate the discussions." Bucklo stated that "the only similarities between the products are the fact that both involve a media used to deliver news."
Rachel Marsden's departure On May 30, 2007, regular Red Eye panelist Rachel Marsden was removed from the show and escorted out of the Red Eye offices by security guards, which Marsden alleged is standard procedure when a Fox employee is fired.Brooks Alberta Entertainment News – The Brooks Bulletin On her blog, Marsden, said, "I will no longer be appearing on the show, as I have been told that it is heading in a 'different direction' from its inception and I am the 'first casualty.' As a political and news commentator, being a panelist on what had become a totally off-the-wall-and-into-orbit show was an interesting experience. It was also the first time that I was ever considered the 'sane one' on any program, so I am grateful for that unique opportunity and wish the boys the very best of luck." Her last appearance on the show was on May 30, 2007, after talking through the laughter of a Jeffrey Ross punchline.
Bill Schulz's departure Former permanent panelist Bill Schulz's final appearance on Red Eye was on November 7, 2013; his departure (for undisclosed reasons) was officially announced on November 22. In 2016, Schulz confirmed that he was fired from the show but didn't disclose any details.
Podcast On March 29, 2011, the first episode of the Red Eye podcast debuted. Usually, a new podcast episode was available every day. Most installments featured Gutfeld, Levy, and Schulz. In the event of an absence, Tom O'Connor, a Red Eye producer, filled in. Usual topics of discussion include what the cast does in the course of the day or weekend, news events, preparation for the show, and guests on that day's show. The podcast is currently offered in the YouTube video and MP3 audio format. With the start of The Five, the podcast was eventually discontinued, ending on August 22, 2011. A modified version which would become titled "Not LIVE! w/Lauren and Bill" debuted on April 4, 2012. Schulz and O'Connor were joined by Red Eye regular Lauren Sivan who appeared remotely from Los Angeles. After the departure of Schulz from Red Eye, the podcast was discontinued. The podcast ceased on October 17, 2013. The podcast resumed on April 12, 2016, taking a slightly different format. It usually features three or four cast members from the show, but they typically discuss more random comedic personal topics and rarely cover news or current events. The audio quality routinely suffers from excess noise generated by buttons worn by the co-hosts.
Joanne Nosuchinsky On February 4, 2014, Miss New York USA 2013 Joanne Nosuchinsky was announced as the new permanent panelist (ostensibly to replace Schulz). She had been a frequent guest on the show since her first appearance on September 18, 2013. On the Red Eye w/ Tom Shillue broadcast at 12 a.m. on August 5, 2016, Nosuchinsky stated that after two and half years at Fox News, she would be leaving the network. On the August 6, 2016 broadcast of Red Eye, her last, Nosuchinsky stated that she was leaving Fox News to pursue an acting career.
Greg Gutfeld's departure On his last show on February 28, 2015, Greg Gutfeld announced that he was leaving Red Eye after eight years to host a new weekend program for Fox News.
Production While the show aired at 3 a.m. ET, it was actually taped at around 8 p.m. the previous night. Gutfeld once joked, "We wouldn't be able to survive after three months because we'd all become raging alcoholics if we had to stay up until 3 a.m.!"
Episode structure The show features a round table of panelists, as well as guests linked by satellite. Tom Shillue, with advisory from Andy Levy, writes the daily content. The show begins with Shillue's introduction of his guests, which include flattering, exaggerated comparisons about each of them. These guest introductions are sometimes submitted by fans on Twitter. Other non-traditional characteristics of the show include the use of offbeat imagery, often obscure popular videos featuring animals, especially cats, during certain segments. Levy, referred to as "TV's Andy Levy" or "TV's Very Own Andy Levy," acts as the show's ombudsman, appearing in the "Halftime Report w/ Andy Levy."
Greg Gutfeld version Block Standard Content A 'Pregame Report', "A Block, the Lede, that's the first story." B One or more of the following: Recurring Segment/Discussion C One or more of the following: 'Halftime Report w/ Andy Levy'/'Lightning Round'/Recurring Segment/Discussion D One or more of the following: Discussion/Guest Interview E One or more of the following: E Block, last story, that's the last story. F 'Postgame Wrap-Up/Post Game Report
Tom Shillue version Block Standard Content A The Most Important Story of the Day. Oxymoronically, this is often a "weird news" item that is featured primarily for its comedic value. B A Moment with Tom. Shillue's main monologue, followed by discussion. C Halftime Report with TV's Andy Levy. In his capacity as the show's ombudsman, Levy offers additional jokes and engagement with the evening's panel. D Another story or a THFTP segment. E Tom's Bedtime Story. Shillue attempts (humorously) to relate a final news item to his childhood experiences.
Controversies Apology to Canadians In a five-minute segment broadcast on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, Gutfeld and his panel discussed Canadian Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie's statement that the Canadian Armed Forces may require a one-year "synchronized break" once Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011. "Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants," Gutfeld said. "I didn't even know they were in the war", comedian panelist Doug Benson added, then continued, "I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada." Gutfeld also said: "Isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army!" Schulz made comments about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their ceremonial red uniforms, and concluded by saying "This is not a smart culture!"Fox News transcript of March 17, 2009 Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld.
The segment drew wide attention and outrage in Canada after being posted on YouTube following the reported deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan three days earlier. Canada, at the time, had been in command of the NATO mission in the Kandahar Province, the birthplace and former Taliban capital, for the past three years. Along with the Helmand Province, the two provinces were "home to some of the fiercest opposition to coalition forces" and reported to "have the highest casualty rates per province."
Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay called on Fox to apologize for the satirical comments, describing the remarks as "despicable, hurtful and ignorant." Gutfeld, in response, maintained the show is satirical and irreverent but offered the following apology: "The March 17 episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a 'synchronized break,' which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts. However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize."
Doug Benson was scheduled to appear in Canada at Edmonton's The Comic Strip April 3–5, 2009, but the shows were canceled after the owner received threats of "bodily injury" toward the American comic. "Some were saying he wouldn't make it from the airport to the club. For everyone's safety, we decided it was best to avoid the scenario altogether," manager Rick Bronson said. Benson also offered an apology following the incident on CTV News. The comedian stated that he was "ignorant about the situation in Afghanistan" and that the timing of the jokes were "completely out of line". "I honestly said things, in retrospect, I completely regret" said Benson and has vowed to "never appear on the show again".
Guest hosts/panelists Guest Hosts
Mike Baker Andrew Breitbart Michelle Collins Steven Crowder Jill Dobson Kennedy Bill Schulz Dave Brockie Mike Huckabee