Steve Doocy Steps into a New Chapter with Fox & Friends

After nearly 30 years of early mornings and familiar banter on the “Fox & Friends” couch, longtime co-host Steve Doocy is taking a well-deserved step into a new role. Though he’s not retiring or leaving the show entirely, Doocy announced a shift that will allow him to keep doing what he loves—just a little differently.

Doocy will now serve as the dedicated host for the remote field segments that have become a signature part of “Fox & Friends” over the years. While his co-hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Lawrence Jones, and Brian Kilmeade continue anchoring the show from the New York City studio, Doocy will appear remotely from his new base in Florida.

During an emotional farewell to the studio couch, Doocy reflected on the early wake-ups that defined his routine for decades.

“For the last 30 years, when my alarm went off at 3:30 in the morning, my wife Kathy would always say, ‘It’s time to make the donuts,’” he shared with a smile. “And I’d say, ‘You’re right,’ and off to work I’d go.” He even joked that, according to AI, his alarm had gone off 6,828 times. “That’s a lot of donuts!” he laughed, before getting more sentimental about the journey.

He described the challenge of balancing weekend travel with the commitment to be live in studio first thing Monday morning. “Ainsley and I have talked for years about how tough it can be to race back after a weekend away to be on this couch at 6 a.m.,” he said. “It’s a great job, but the hours are tough.”

As he transitions from daily studio appearances to a three-day-a-week schedule, Doocy emphasized that he’s not stepping away from the show, but rather embracing a new season of life. He credited Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott for helping him find a new way to stay involved without the grind of a daily commute.

“This is kind of like the Johnny Carson deal,” he said, referring to the legendary TV host’s reduced schedule later in his career. “I’ll be based in Florida now, reporting from all kinds of places across the country—places that don’t always get a lot of attention.”

From the Carolinas to the Florida Keys, and from small towns in the Midwest to well-known spots like Mar-a-Lago, Doocy will be bringing stories from across the U.S. straight to viewers’ screens. He proudly dubbed himself “the coast-to-coast host.”

One of the biggest motivations behind the change? Time with family.

“When my kids were growing up, I never had breakfast with them,” he said. “Kathy did it all. But now, starting tomorrow, I’m going to have breakfast with my grandkids and my children whenever I can.”

With a chuckle and a touch of emotion, he added, “I’m going from ‘time to make the donuts’ to ‘time to make the breakfast, Grandpa.’”

He shared plans to visit his new grandson, George, in Washington D.C., and to travel to Dallas, where his daughter Sally is preparing to welcome another child this summer. He also mentioned spending more time helping out his other daughter, Mary, and her husband with their dog, Peanut.

“Kathy and I are hitting the road,” he said, beaming with pride. “We’re going to spoil the kids and grandkids a little. They deserve it.”

As for his fellow co-hosts, Doocy made it clear this isn’t goodbye. “If this really were my last day with you, I’d be crying,” he said. “But after a short break, I’ll be back—just through the magic of television.”

He ended with a warm laugh, saying, “Somewhere, someone’s going to ask me, ‘Is Ainsley really that sweet?’ And I’ll be there to tell them, yes—absolutely.”

Though viewers won’t see him on the couch every morning, Steve Doocy’s voice and presence will continue to be a part of the show that’s been his home for decades. Just with a little more sunshine, a lot less traffic, and plenty of family breakfasts.