Rising Network Personality a Free Speech Advocate, Professed Libertarian, & Workaholic

Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer

Although she's a well received writer, producer, podcast host, and Fox News contributor, many television viewers have come to know Kat Timpf as a regular on 'Gutfeld!' hosted by Greg Gutfeld. The 34 year old media personality didn't rise through the ranks over night. 

After graduating Hillsdale College the Detroit native dabbled in comedy writing, flirted with stand-up, worked in California before finding her way to Campus Reform (an American conservative news website focused on higher education) while contributing to the Washington Times, eventually making guest appearances on Stossel, Megan Kelly, and Fox & Friends.

"I came up the old school way. I worked as a cashier and a waitress while writing and trying to get my foot in any door." Campus Reform helped get her noticed. "Thankfully media outlets liked my fresh approach and began to have me on as a guest on their shows."

As her TV profile began to take shape with Campus Reform, Fox News took notice. "I started doing guest spots on Fox & Friends and America Live with Megan Kelly. As I was getting more comfortable I told Campus I want to work for Fox." Eventually she started becoming a regular on Gutfeld's 'Red Eye', a late-night/early-morning satirical talk show on Fox News Gutfeld hosted from 2007-15.

"Greg and I just clicked right away. I was a guest and a regular on Red Eye. When he got the offer to do the weekly (prime time Saturday) show he had me do the pilot which lead to a full time role. Greg has been in my corner all along." The success of the weekend show lead to a permanent 11pm show Monday through Friday beginning in April 2021.

How do she and America's favorite late night host get along. "Really well." Although she sometimes helps write material for the show, Timpf is often the butt of many of Gutfeld's zingers. She takes it all in stride. "I'll have friends or viewers who will comment 'you're mean to Kat'. It's the nature and the appeal of the show. I guess that's why it's so popular. We've been together for eight and a half years, so something is definitely working."

Not surprisingly Gutfeld's show is the king of late night, beating out the three networks much to the chagrin of Fallon, Kimmel, and Colbert. Timpf knows the reason why. "We're real. We have fun. We don't take the show too serious. It's informative and entertaining at the same time."

She adds, "The main reason we are on top is because we offer viewers something they can't get with the other late night programs. They're all doing the same thing, the same tired format. Greg's show is a refreshing alternative."

Timpf has the same admiration for Tyrus, her fellow sidekick and the reigning NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. "Working alongside Tyrus and Greg is great. It's a unique mix. We're all very different people but when we're on set together something clicks. They call it work, but honestly we have so much fun together." Timpf and Tyrus host a podcast on Fox Nation, the network's streaming service.

Although Gutfeld airs at 11pm on the east coast, it's taped earlier in the day. "We shoot it right after he's done with The Five." So what might a typical day for Timpf look like. "They are hardly typical and almost never the same. I'm up at 8am, in the gym, writing for Fox or not. I might do some work from home or head into the studio. I spend some time with my husband." Kat married in 2021. Her husband is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Timpf's personal life which she shares regularly on air has been fodder for social media and other outlets. So to put off any false narratives surrounding her life she decided to chronicle them in her first ever book 'You Can't Joke About That'. Despite the title Timpf asserts a different message in the sub-title 'Why Everything is Funny, Nothing is Sacred, and We're All in This Together'. The book is very 'tongue & cheek', using her acerbic wit. 'You Can't Joke About That' declares we can laugh at just about every situation out there.

Although it appears every prominent Fox News personality is prompted by the network to pen a book, Timpf said she took the initiative herself. "It was totally my idea. The title, the cover, and the content was all my idea. I had been wanting to write one for years. During my first surgery, I was 32 at the time I started to formalize what I wanted the book to be about." 

Holding back is not Timpf's style. "I've spent all my time in the media building connections, being open and honest about my life. So I told myself what's the use of writing a book if I can't talk about topics that are personal to me. So I open up about my surgery, my health (autoimmune disease) which caused her to lose her hair, my mom dying, relationships, being broke, the beginning of my career, and rules put in place that hurt me. It's very personal and presents me as extremely vulnerable."

Not only is 'You Can't Joke About That' a look into her personal life, Timpf also expounds her views on cancel culture, politics, sexism, Twitter, the second amendment, and a host of modern day hot button topics. According to Timpf nothing is untouchable. "Death, illness, and personal traumas are serious matters but they're not so big, not so hurtful that we can't find humor in them. Maybe not right away, but if we do talk about them often it's empowering."

Timpf's book recently topped several best seller lists. "It's amazing. I never imagined how it would be received. Honestly, I just wanted to write a book from my point of view. It became very freeing as I was writing it."

While Fox News is considered a conservative network with many of its personalities leaning to the right (republican), Timpf and Gutfeld are professed libertarians. "I'm independent. I believe in smaller government and that individuals have the right to make their own decisions on a lot of issues that involve them personally, without the government taking control." Timpf believes both parties have overtaxed America and use the money to fund programs most people like herself do not agree with.

Regarding the book or commentary on the many panel shows she sits in on, Timpf admits Fox has been pretty welcoming concerning her views. "I have to give Fox credit they've never really said no to me. I'm just who I am. I do believe Fox welcomes a lot of shared opinions. There's people that don't like me or what I have to say. I'm okay with that. But there's a lot of people who agree with what I'm saying."

34 years young Timpf is comfortable in her own skin and at Fox News. However, she remains goal oriented. "I would love to have my own show on Fox one day and definitely write another book." What would a future Kat Timpf show look like on Fox News. "I'm not quite sure yet. It would be totally different than any other they have on the air now. I think I have an important outlook, so any show would evolve from that."

She adds, "Again, Fox has pretty much let me be me, no matter what I'm doing for them, so I imagine if and when I get my own show it would be different, but very entertaining at the same time, much like Greg's."

Timpf is not afraid to voice her opinion on any subject. "What is at issue here is free speech. The truth is I can say whatever I want. I get it comes with a measure of sensitivity. But free speech is absolute. Speech can bring us together."

Timpf believes hiding behind social media outlets can be damaging. "It can be harmful. We've seen it, words sometimes hurt, but if speech is well intentioned it can be good. In my book, I'm hoping to let readers know that it's okay to laugh. It's okay to not take everything so seriously."

Timpf has had a small taste of stand up comedy. "Very small. But I welcome doing more live shows, now that audiences know who I am. Having been part of Greg's show for several years now, I'm comfortable in front of a live audience." She is currently bringing her act to select locations.

And how would Timpf describe herself if she met someone who didn't know who she was or hadn't seen on TV. "I would say I'm kind and outgoing. My friends would say I'm honest and fun. I definitely speak my mind. I'm a bit irreverent, but considerate at the same time. More than anything I'm a workaholic. If I'm awake I'm working. I do a lot of writing. I don't go out much because I'm a workaholic, and I'm okay with that."

Followers of Kat Timpf can see her weeknights on 'Gutfeld!'. The show airs at 11pm, Period!. Occasionally she'll pop in to provide commentary or be a fill in guest throughtout the workday on several of Fox News' regularly scheduled shows, as well as the Fox Business Network. And for those who can't get enough of her Timpf hosts podcasts on Fox Nation. "I do enjoy staying busy."

'You Can't Joke About That' is available through online retailers and your favorite books stores. There is even an audible version with Kat reading the text. For more on the real Kat Timpf, to order her book, or to see where she'll be appearing visit https://www.therealkattimpf.com/