[3] The show featured panelists and guests discussing the latest news in politics, pop culture, entertainment, business, sports, and religion.

[12] The phrase "Red Eye" was chosen because the term was likely to resonate with viewers because it somehow captured the essence of the program.

Shelly Stevenson, senior producer at Fox News said, "we wanted to come up with something that tipped its hat to the people we are serving.

"[13] According to Moody, one of the producers, among the original target audiences were "slackers and losers," the "depressed, the dissatisfied, the depraved," "bloggers,” and those "age 18–40"[14] Following the first weeks of the program, the Chicago Tribune filed suit against News Corporation, the company that owns Fox News, alleging that the show's title could be confused with the Tribune's free commuter daily, RedEye, launched in 2002.

[15] Senior Vice President of Fox News John Moody proposed to U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo that Red Eye be blacked out from Chicago area viewers to prevent confusion with the Tribune's RedEye.

Bucklo stated that while the trademarks may be similar aurally, but not visually, Fox did not show intent to "pass off" Red Eye as a collaboration with the Tribune.

Bucklo also noted a dissimilarity in content which "appear[ed] to include anything that strikes Gutfeld's interest."

Schulz and O'Connor were joined by Red Eye regular Lauren Sivan who appeared remotely from Los Angeles.

It usually features three or four cast members from the show, but they typically discuss more random comedic personal topics and rarely cover news or current events.

On February 4, 2014, Miss New York USA 2013 Joanne Nosuchinsky was announced as the new permanent panelist (ostensibly to replace Schulz).

On the Red Eye w/ Tom Shillue broadcast at 12 a.m. on August 5, 2016, Nosuchinsky stated that after two and half years at Fox News, she would be leaving the network.

On the August 6, 2016 broadcast of Red Eye, her last, Nosuchinsky stated that she was leaving Fox News to pursue an acting career.

[24] On his last show on February 28, 2015, Greg Gutfeld announced that he was leaving Red Eye after eight years to host a new weekend program for Fox News.

Other non-traditional characteristics of the show include the use of offbeat imagery, often obscure popular videos featuring animals, especially cats, during certain segments.

In a five-minute segment broadcast on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, Gutfeld and his panel discussed Canadian Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie's statement that the Canadian Armed Forces may require a one-year "synchronized break" once Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011.

[26] "Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants," Gutfeld said.

"[26] Schulz made comments about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their ceremonial red uniforms, and concluded by saying "This is not a smart culture!

"[27] The segment drew wide attention and outrage in Canada after being posted on YouTube following the reported deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan three days earlier.

[28][29][30] Canada, at the time, had been in command of the NATO mission in the Kandahar Province, the birthplace and former Taliban capital, for the past three years.

"[32] Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay called on Fox to apologize for the satirical comments, describing the remarks as "despicable, hurtful and ignorant.

"[33] Gutfeld, in response, maintained the show is satirical and irreverent[34] but offered the following apology: "The March 17 episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a 'synchronized break,' which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts.

[40] Nielsen also found that in March 2008, 6.1 percent of Red Eye's total viewership came from those who recorded the show, as opposed to watching it when it aired.

In the key 25 to 54 age demographic, it beat CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, Erin Burnett Outfront, John King, USA; MSNBC's Morning Joe and Hardball With Chris Matthews; and HLN's Nancy Grace.