Greg Gutfeld’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last Thursday, was a notable ratings success, driven by his growing popularity and polarizing presence in late-night television.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode garnered 1.7 million total viewers, marking a 57% surge compared to the show’s 2025 average of approximately 1.1 million viewers per episode.
This viewership figure was the highest for The Tonight Show since December 19, 2023, when an episode featuring Ryan Gosling and a musical performance by Billie Eilish drew a comparable audience. In the key 25–54 demographic, highly valued by advertisers, the Gutfeld episode attracted 294,000 viewers, reflecting a 13% increase over the show’s yearly average for this demographic.
The episode’s digital performance was equally impressive. The YouTube clip of Gutfeld’s interview segment approached 1 million views by August 12, 2025, making it the most-watched segment from The Tonight Show in nearly a month.
GREG GUTFIELD ON JIMMY FALLON SHOW
— BWOOLEY (@BMWQQ17) August 8, 2025
Greg Gutfeld talks about getting tackled by Jimmy during their first meeting, shares some of the jobs he's been fired from before landing his shows Gutfeld! and The Five and chats about hosting the game show What Did I Miss? pic.twitter.com/sKBKZPgRnj
The online engagement underscores Gutfeld’s ability to draw audiences beyond traditional broadcast, likely fueled by his established fanbase from Fox News’ Gutfeld!, which consistently leads late-night cable ratings. The episode also featured a musical performance by the Jonas Brothers, but viewership data indicates a particular spike during Gutfeld’s segment, suggesting his presence was a significant driver of the night’s success.
Gutfeld’s appearance, however, provided a temporary edge, capitalizing on his reputation as a provocative and humorous commentator. His interview covered topics like his book The King of Late Night and his rivalry with other late-night hosts, which likely resonated with viewers familiar with his irreverent style on Gutfeld!.
Contextually, Gutfeld’s draw aligns with his broader impact in late-night television. His Fox News program averages 2.2 million viewers, outpacing network shows like The Tonight Show, The Late Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! in total viewership for 2025. Posts on X and web reports suggest his Tonight Show appearance generated significant buzz, with fans praising his wit and critics noting the unusual pairing of his conservative-leaning humor with Fallon’s mainstream platform.