Steve Doocy, the longtime co-host of “Fox & Friends,” announced Thursday, May 1, that he is stepping back from his full-time hosting duties at the network’s New York City studios and will permanently relocate to Florida, where he’ll contribute to the popular morning show three days a week.
The emotional announcement came during Thursday morning’s broadcast, as Doocy fought back tears while explaining the major shift in his professional life after nearly three decades with the network.
“After decades of getting up at 3:30 and driving into NYC in the dark, today is the last day I will host the show…from the couch,” Doocy told viewers. “I am not retiring, I’m not leaving the show. I’m still a host — but it’s time for a change.”
Doocy, who turns 70 next year, has been with Fox News since its inception in 1996 and became a founding co-host of “Fox & Friends” when the show launched in 1998. After more than 6,800 pre-dawn wake-ups and over 31,000 hours of live television from the show’s iconic “curvy couch,” Doocy is transitioning to what he’s dubbed a “coast-to-coast” hosting role.
In his new capacity, Doocy will broadcast remotely from Florida and travel to various locations across the country, focusing on the type of on-the-ground segments that have become a trademark of the show, such as visits to local diners and community events. Recent examples include his live report from Chicken N Pickle, a suburban Kansas City pickleball venue.
“It’s going to make it easier for me to report from Florida and other parts of America that don’t get a lot of network airtime,” Doocy explained. “I’ll be going from the Carolinas to the Keys. From Middle America to Mar-a-Lago.”
The decision to scale back came after discussions with Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott, whom Doocy described as “a friend for over 30 years.”
“She gave me a great option — to keep working on this show… just not every day,” Doocy said. “Essentially it’s the Johnny Carson deal. Remember Johnny worked his three days in Burbank, and I’ll be based in Florida. Which means you may never see me in a necktie again.”
While Doocy shifts to his new role, his co-hosts Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt, and Lawrence Jones will continue to host the show from the New York studio. No replacement will take Doocy’s spot on the couch.
The veteran broadcaster made no secret of the toll that the morning show schedule has taken on his family life over the years.
“When my kids were growing up, I never had breakfast with them. I was here. Kathy did everything,” Doocy shared. “But starting tomorrow, I’m going to have breakfast with my grandkids and my children whenever I can.”
The new chapter in Doocy’s career begins with family time. He plans to visit Washington, DC, to meet his newborn grandson, George, followed by a trip to Dallas to see his daughter Sally, who is expecting her second child, a boy, in July.
Doocy is among several high-profile news anchors who have recently shifted to new roles with reduced workloads, including NBC’s Lester Holt and “The Today Show’s” Hoda Kotb.
President Donald Trump, a frequent “Fox & Friends” viewer, recorded a congratulatory message for Doocy that aired during Thursday’s broadcast, praising his fair coverage over the years.
Throughout his career at Fox News, Doocy has interviewed numerous political figures, including President Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and according to Nielsen Research, “Fox & Friends” has been the number one cable news morning show since 2001.
Before joining Fox, Doocy worked as a reporter at several local TV stations and briefly anchored at WCBS in New York. He also hosted the syndicated “House Party with Steve Doocy” and a children’s show called “Not Just News.”
Doocy offered a heartfelt thanks to colleagues behind the scenes and gave a special acknowledgment to executive producer Megan Albano for helping accommodate his new schedule.
“I’m transitioning from ‘It’s time to make the donuts’ to ‘It’s time to make the breakfast, Grandpa,'” Doocy concluded. “Now step on it.”
