Can Kat Timpf Really Make It as a Cheerleader? The Unforgettable Night Gutfeld! Turned Into a Pep Rally

When people tune in to late-night political satire, they expect zingers, quips, and perhaps a little bit of controversy. But what unfolded on Fox News’ Gutfeld! one unforgettable evening far exceeded the routine fare. In a segment no one saw coming, late-night television morphed into a gleeful mockery of a high school pep rally, forever changing the way viewers think about political commentary—and pom-poms. The center of this cheerful chaos? None other than co-host Kat Timpf, taking a literal leap into the world of cheerleading.

Routine Beginnings: A Gutfeld! Show Like Any Other—Until Suddenly, It Wasn’t

The episode started much like any other for America’s favorite ‘king of late-night’ insurgents. Greg Gutfeld, with his characteristic smirk, unleashed a flurry of snappy one-liners. His quick-witted panel, including regulars like Kat Timpf and Emily Compagno, volleyed back with sharp retorts, sending friendly jabs across the roundtable on the political news of the day. The studio audience settled in with snacks and smiles, expecting another night of tongue-in-cheek analysis and celebrity lampooning.

But underneath the cool banter, a quiet mischief was brewing. Little did viewers know, the evening was about to take an absurd left turn, launching the show—and the internet—into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

Cheerleaders on the Scene: The Surprise Pep Rally No One Asked For—but Everyone Needed

Viewers suddenly witnessed a spectacle that will be talked about, reposted, and meme-ified for years to come. Kat Timpf and Emily Compagno burst onto the stage wearing bona fide cheerleader uniforms, complete with pleated skirts, crisp white sneakers, and—yes—sparkling pom-poms. It was as if they’d stumbled out of a Friday night lights high school football game and onto the set of a primetime talk show.

Immediately, a wave of laughter rolled across the studio. Emily and Kat threw themselves wholeheartedly into a cheer routine, blending acrobatic moves with high-pitched chants and the sort of exaggerated spirit-finger waggling perfected over decades of pep rally tradition. The cheers weren’t just your typical “Go team!” fare; they peppered their routine with tongue-in-cheek jabs at the show’s usual targets, from politicians to pop icons, all delivered with syrupy, faux enthusiasm.

While the routine was intended as lighthearted mockery, the real comedic magic lay in how earnestly Kat tried to nail the routine. Known for her sharp, often sarcastic commentary, Kat’s transformation into a peppy cheerleader was both surreal and side-splittingly funny. Emily, too, played her part to perfection, leading the choreography with the determination of a woman who either missed her calling as a cheer captain—or was relishing a second chance.

Greg Gutfeld’s Unexpected Debut: Hostage or Honorary Cheerleader?

Just as the audience recovered from the initial shock, Emily—cheer megaphone in hand—bellowed, “Come on Greg, you’re joining the squad!” A set of pom-poms arced through the air towards a visibly startled Gutfeld.

Suddenly, the hunter became the hunted. No longer safely behind his desk slinging quips, Gutfeld found himself thrust—rather clumsily—into center stage alongside his co-hosts. The audience, sensing imminent calamity, cheered wildly. What followed wasn’t so much dancing as it was a frantic, unscripted display of flailing limbs and earnest, if misguided, attempts to mimic the routines.

At one point, Greg attempted a half-hearted spin, two off-rhythm claps, and—perhaps most infamously—a twerking effort that viewers may never recover from. The energy in the room skyrocketed, audience members roaring with laughter, smartphones recording the chaos for future generations.

Kat and Emily, unable to maintain their comic composure, doubled over cackling. Greg, meanwhile, alternated between feigned outrage (“Is this some kind of hostage situation?!”) and genuine laughter as he struggled to get his bearings. When he attempted a dramatic cheer jump, only to wince and clutch his lower back, the entire panel—and the crowd—lost all sense of decorum.

Why Was This So Funny? The Comedic Magic Explained

Late-night TV often blurs the lines between politics, culture, and entertainment, but rare is the occasion when those elements fuse into something so organically hilarious. Watching a usually composed host flounder under pressure, surrounded by colleagues who couldn’t keep a straight face, created a rare, authentic moment of slapstick in an age of over-rehearsed television.

Kat Timpf, while no stranger to wacky on-air stunts, threw herself into the role with a commitment that was equal parts earnest and absurd. The sight of Emily Compagno, known for her fierce debate skills and poised courtroom presence, high-kicking in a cheer skirt alongside Kat’s signature sarcastic grin, struck the perfect balance between parody and playful charm. The audience was watching, not actors, but real people failing gleefully in real time.

And, of course, Greg Gutfeld—out of his element, out of breath, but never out of quips—provided the perfect comedic target. His every wince and awkward shuffle reminded viewers of the universal discomfort of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, all while proving that, sometimes, the best comedy is purely unscripted.

Social Media Erupts: The Moment Goes Viral

Within mere minutes, the carnage was all over the internet. Clips of Greg’s best (and worst) moves began circulating on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Out-of-context gifs of his desperate twerking, Emily and Kat’s gleeful roasts, and the spontaneous on-set roars became instant reaction memes.

Some of the internet’s best reactions included:

“I just saw Greg Gutfeld do a cheerleader kick on national TV. Didn’t have that on my 2024 bingo card.”
“Somebody check on Greg’s back. Meanwhile, Kat and Emily deserve an Emmy for pulling this off.”
“I want a blooper reel and an apology from my chiropractor.”

As millions viewed and shared the clips, a new wave of fans discovered the unpredictable, anything-goes energy that has made Gutfeld! a phenomenon. Commentators on both sides of the political divide took a break from usual sparring to agree on one thing: this was late-night TV gold.

The Cheerleading Legacy: More Than Just a One-Off Joke

While Gutfeld! has long been praised (and occasionally panned) for its penchant for outlandish bits, this segment took the show’s reputation for unpredictability to a new level. Even media outlets that rarely gave the show a nod couldn’t resist running headlines about “the cheerleading incident,” with many calling it one of the funniest moments ever to air on a news-based talk show.

In post-segment interviews, Emily and Kat confirmed that the entire thing had started as a throwaway joke in the writer’s room—an idea everyone assumed would get vetoed. Instead, producers doubled down, sourcing real cheerleader uniforms and coaching the pair in a basic routine (which apparently required more “spirit fingers” than either had anticipated).

Gutfeld himself later admitted on-air, “If you had told me I’d be doing cheer jumps on national television at this point in my career…I’d have asked what you were drinking.” The humility with which he handled his own slapstick struggles only endeared him more to the audience.

Behind the Scenes: How the Skit Came Together

Interviews with show staff later revealed that getting Greg onboard wasn’t easy—at first, he flat-out refused, joking that he didn’t want to upstage the professionals (or throw out his back). Kat, always up for physical comedy, was reportedly instrumental in convincing both Gutfeld and Compagno to participate, citing the “viral potential” and “America’s desperate need for levity.”

Producers worked overtime to choreograph moves that wouldn’t actually injure the 50-something host—although, judging by Greg’s gasps for breath, even the modest routine put him through his paces. In the end, a last-minute decision was made to throw him into the routine unprepared, ensuring that every misstep and flub would be hilariously genuine.

The Internet Reacts: Praise, Parody, and Armchair Analysis

The skit quickly moved beyond just a viral clip—it became a topic of cultural commentary. TV critics praised the break from formulaic panel-based talk, noting that “in a landscape dominated by careful scripting and partisan rants, moments like this remind us why live TV is still magic.” Media blogs hailed Kat Timpf and Emily Compagno’s willingness to go “all-in,” and fans delighted in seeing public figures tackle slapstick humility.

Commentators online even debated which of the trio “won” the bit:

“Compagno gets a 10 for captain energy. Kat’s sarcasm was off the charts, but let’s face it, Greg’s disastrous attempt at a cheer jump was the night’s MVP.”
“Most improved? Definitely NOT Greg. Most fearless? Kat, hands down.”

Even those unfamiliar with the show found themselves laughing. One viral TikTok described the skit as “the perfect antidote to a doomscroll—just pure, shared silliness on a national stage.”

**Can Kat Timpf ‘Cut It