Kat Timpf is getting a standing ovation from fans, at least on social media, after stepping in to lead Gutfeld! while the show’s namesake appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, telling a lengthy story about their first encounter at a bar where both were “wasted.”

A confident return after surgery

Just days after returning from a weeks-long break for surgery, the 36-year-old Fox News contributor slid into the host’s chair Thursday night, delivering the late-night comedy show’s trademark mix of hot takes and humor.

Her panel, comedian Joe Machi, Western Razor co-founder David Angelo, author and contributor Kennedy, and former pro wrestler Tyrus, kept the energy high as Timpf opened with her monologue before diving into the day’s political and pop culture headlines.

Fans were quick to applaud her performance after she posted a clip of the segment on X. “Great job, Kat,” one wrote. Another added, “I watched it and I have to say I laughed out loud.” Others chimed in with “Most excellent!” and “You did a great job filling in as host!”

What happened next? Sharp commentary and zero-nonsense style

Timpf, who made her on-air return Monday with an appearance on The Story with Martha MacCallum, didn’t hold back in tackling a variety of topics. They ranged from Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad to the revelation that the actress registered as a Republican in Florida months before President Donald Trump won his second term.

“Who cares?” Timpf shrugged during the segment. “Lots of people are Republicans, and it shouldn’t be that groundbreaking to find out that somebody, who’s wealthy, especially, is a Republican.”

Strength in the spotlight

Her latest hosting gig comes weeks after she announced during a July episode of Gutfeld! that she would be stepping away again for surgery. The announcement came shortly after returning from maternity leave. It’s part of her recovery journey following a February breast cancer diagnosis she received mere hours before giving birth to her first child.

“Even with the best-case scenario of breast cancer, [it] can involve quite a road to feeling whole again. So this is the first step in that,” she explained in mid-July. Ever transparent, she added with a wry smile: “Just so the internet can’t come up with theories about where I am. That’s where I am.”

While Greg Gutfeld was busy reliving his wild first meeting with Jimmy Fallon on NBC, Kat Timpf proved she can steer the Gutfeld! ship with wit, confidence, and her signature no-filter style. It’s a combination fans clearly want to see more of.