New host to replace Tucker in prime-time slot as audience shrinks.

Johnathan JonesMay 15, 2023

Will Cain to Host “Fox News Tonight” as Tucker Carlson’s Absence Continues

Former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host Will Cain will be taking over Tucker Carlson’s time slot on “Fox News Tonight” from May 15 to May 19, as the network enters its fourth week without Carlson. This comes after former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany hosted the hour last week, but was unable to bring the time slot back to relevancy. Network host Brian Kilmeade also sat in for Carlson during the first week after his show was pulled by the network, but was cut without explanation.

Overcoming the Loss of a Powerful Voice

Carlson’s absence has created opportunities for Fox News’ competitors and has opened up the network to criticism from every direction. The widow of former longtime network CEO Roger Ailes, who helped launch the channel in 1996, attacked Fox News on Monday morning while she celebrated what would have been the late media executive’s birthday. Ailes died in 2017 three days after his 77th birthday. It remains to be seen if Fox News will be able to overcome the loss of such a powerful voice in prime time as it had previously been able to do.

Will You Watch “Fox News Tonight”?

Despite the loss of Carlson, Fox News is still trying to bring in viewers with “Fox News Tonight.” Last week, the show brought in roughly 1.4 million total viewers with McEnany at the desk, which is a fraction of the more than 3 million people who tuned in to an average episode of “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” Carlson has announced he will bring some variation of his show to Twitter soon. But with the network’s credibility problem with conservatives and without a voice that people trusted to offer them unfettered truth and criticism of their elected officials in both parties, it remains to be seen if Fox News can regain its footing.