In the fast-paced, laugh-a-minute world of late-night television, where every quip and jab is meticulously planned to keep audiences glued to their screens, it’s the unscripted moments that often steal the show. Greg Gutfeld, the sharp-witted host of Fox News’ Gutfeld!, recently shared a side-splitting behind-the-scenes story from his New York City studio that has fans buzzing and the internet lighting up with reactions. Known for his irreverent humor, libertarian-leaning commentary, and ability to skewer both sides of the political aisle, Gutfeld’s latest anecdote is a masterclass in how chaos can breed comedy gold. Buckle up as we dive into this uproarious tale of a prank gone gloriously wrong, revealing a side of the Gutfeld! set that’s as wild as the host himself.
The Setup: A Prank Born in the Writers’ Room
It all started during a routine production meeting for Gutfeld!, the show that has redefined late-night comedy with its blend of political satire, pop culture jabs, and unapologetic irreverence. Airing weeknights at 10:00 P.M. ET on Fox News, the show thrives on its ability to poke fun at the absurdities of modern life, often through segments like “Greg’s Animal Friends” or “Mock It And Move On.” But on this particular day, the real comedy wasn’t happening in front of the cameras—it was brewing in the writers’ room.
Gutfeld, a former editor of Men’s Health and Maxim UK, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. His past antics, like hiring dwarfs to disrupt a Magazine Publishers of America conference for “buzz,” show his penchant for orchestrated chaos. This time, the target was his longtime panelist and friend, George “Tyrus” Murdoch, the hulking former professional wrestler whose deadpan delivery and quick wit make him a fan favorite. The writers, egged on by Gutfeld’s mischievous streak, hatched a plan to pull a prank on Tyrus during a rehearsal for the show’s popular “Mailing It In” segment, where Gutfeld reads fan questions and the panelists riff with comedic answers.
The prank was simple in concept but ambitious in execution: replace Tyrus’s usual chair with a comically undersized prop chair, the kind you’d find in a preschool classroom, and watch the 6’7”, 375-pound giant try to navigate the absurdity without breaking character. The crew, aware of Tyrus’s reputation for good-natured ribbing, figured he’d roll with the gag, maybe toss out a sarcastic quip about his “new throne” and move on. What they didn’t anticipate was how this small prank would spiral into one of the most memorable behind-the-scenes moments in Gutfeld! history.
The Execution: Chaos on the Set
As the rehearsal began, the studio was abuzz with its usual pre-show energy. The live audience was still an hour away from arriving, and the crew was fine-tuning lighting and sound. Kat Timpf, the sharp-tongued comedian and regular panelist, was reviewing her notes, while guest panelist Emily Compagno, a Fox News contributor known for her quick wit, chatted with the stage manager. Gutfeld, perched behind his desk, was in high spirits, barely containing his grin as he anticipated Tyrus’s entrance.
Tyrus strode onto the set, his massive frame filling the doorway, wearing his signature backward baseball cap and a smirk that suggested he was ready to dominate the rehearsal with his larger-than-life presence. The crew held their breath as he approached the tiny chair, which looked like it belonged in a dollhouse next to his imposing stature. Gutfeld, playing it cool, launched into the segment, reading a mock fan question: “Dear Tyrus, how do you stay so grounded despite your fame?”
Tyrus, oblivious to the setup, lowered himself onto the chair—and that’s when the magic happened. The chair, flimsy and undersized, let out a cartoonish squeak under his weight, wobbling precariously. Tyrus froze mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he realized something was off. The crew erupted in stifled giggles, and Gutfeld’s poker face crumbled as he burst into laughter. “Tyrus, you look like you’re auditioning for Alice in Wonderland! What’s going on?” Gutfeld quipped, barely able to get the words out.
But Tyrus, ever the showman, didn’t miss a beat. Instead of getting up or acknowledging the prank, he leaned back dramatically, crossing his arms as if the tiny chair was the most comfortable seat in the world. “This is first-class seating, Greg,” he deadpanned. “You jealous?” The crew lost it, and Kat Timpf doubled over, nearly falling off her own chair. Emily Compagno, trying to stay professional, couldn’t resist adding, “Tyrus, you’re one sneeze away from turning that chair into kindling!”
The Escalation: A Prank War Ignites
What could have been a one-and-done gag took a turn for the absurd when Tyrus decided to retaliate. Known for his quick thinking, Tyrus whispered something to a stagehand during a break, a mischievous glint in his eye. When the rehearsal resumed, Gutfeld’s desk was mysteriously adorned with a dozen inflatable pool floaties shaped like flamingos, unicorns, and pizza slices, turning his sleek set into a tropical nightmare. The crew, now fully invested in the chaos, cheered as Gutfeld stared in mock horror at the inflatable invasion.
Not one to be outdone, Gutfeld upped the ante. By the next segment, he’d enlisted Kat Timpf to sneak a whoopee cushion onto Tyrus’s new (normal-sized) chair. When Tyrus sat down, the exaggerated fart noise echoed through the studio, sending the crew into hysterics. Tyrus, unfazed, stood up, pointed at Gutfeld, and declared, “You’re messing with the wrong giant, Greg. This is war.” The rehearsal devolved into a free-for-all of playful jabs, with panelists and crew members tossing harmless props like foam balls and fake mustaches onto the set.
By the time the director called a wrap, the studio looked like a comedy battlefield, strewn with props and littered with laughter. Gutfeld, wiping tears from his eyes, declared it “the best rehearsal we’ve ever had.” The crew agreed, and word of the prank war quickly spread among the staff, with some joking that it deserved its own segment called “Gutfeld’s Goof-Offs.”
Why It Resonates: The Heart of Gutfeld!
This behind-the-scenes fiasco is more than just a funny story—it’s a window into why Gutfeld! has become a ratings juggernaut, averaging 2.5 million viewers from November 2022 to early 2023 and peaking at 4.9 million during a 2024 episode featuring former President Donald Trump. Unlike traditional late-night shows, which often lean on scripted monologues and celebrity interviews, Gutfeld! thrives on its loose, unpredictable energy. The show’s format, blending satire, panel discussions, and absurd segments, mirrors the playful chaos of this prank war. It’s a reminder that Gutfeld and his team don’t take themselves too seriously, a quality that resonates with viewers tired of polished, predictable late-night fare.
Gutfeld’s ability to orchestrate and embrace this kind of mayhem harks back to his days hosting Red Eye, a late-night Fox News show that aired at 3:00 A.M. and cultivated a cult following for its offbeat humor. His current show builds on that legacy, offering a conservative-leaning alternative to mainstream late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. But what sets Gutfeld! apart is its willingness to lean into the absurd, whether through a segment mocking outrageous news stories or an impromptu prank war that leaves the crew in stitches.
The Aftermath: A Viral Moment in the Making
The story of the prank war didn’t stay confined to the studio. A crew member, unable to resist sharing the hilarity, posted a blurry photo of Tyrus perched on the tiny chair to a private staff group chat, which inevitably leaked to social media. Fans on platforms like X went wild, with posts praising Tyrus’s deadpan delivery and Gutfeld’s gleeful instigation. One user called it “the funniest thing that never made it to air,” while another begged for a behind-the-scenes special featuring the footage. (No official footage has surfaced, but the crew insists it exists in the archives, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.)
The incident also sparked a wave of memes, with fans editing images of Tyrus on increasingly ridiculous chairs—think thrones, beanbags, and even a unicycle. Gutfeld, ever the showman, leaned into the buzz during the next episode, teasing the audience with a cryptic reference to “Tyrus’s new furniture line” that had Kat Timpf choking on her water mid-show. The moment has become a microcosm of what makes Gutfeld! a cultural phenomenon: it’s not just about the jokes on air but the camaraderie and chaos behind the scenes.
A Lasting Legacy of Laughter
Greg Gutfeld’s behind-the-scenes prank war is more than a funny anecdote—it’s a testament to the spirit of Gutfeld!, a show that dares to be different in a sea of late-night sameness. By embracing the unexpected, Gutfeld and his team have created a space where humor reigns supreme, whether it’s a biting political jab or a silly chair swap that spirals into chaos. For fans, this story is a reminder that the best comedy often happens when the cameras aren’t rolling, and for Gutfeld, it’s another notch in his belt as the “King of Late Night.” As the show continues to dominate ratings and spark conversation, one thing’s clear: when Gutfeld and Tyrus go to war, everyone wins—especially the audience.
