In the midst of allegations surrounding a “toxic” work environment, Jimmy Fallon has reportedly issued an apology to the staff of The Tonight Show. Several sources claim that Fallon addressed employees of the late-night show over a Zoom call following a Rolling Stone report that accused him of fostering an unhealthy workplace, which had a detrimental impact on the mental health of some staff members.
Rolling Stone spoke with two current and 14 former employees of The Tonight Show, who revealed that Fallon’s behavior created an unpleasant environment behind the scenes. Sources claimed that his erratic nature, including outbursts and belittling of colleagues, caused staff members to cry, and one even considered suicide. “It was like, if Jimmy is in a bad mood, everyone’s day is f—ed,” one former employee stated. “People wouldn’t joke around in the office, and they wouldn’t stand around and talk to each other. It was very much like, focus on whatever it is that you have to do because Jimmy’s in a bad mood, and if he sees that, he might fly off.”
On September 7, 2023, Rolling Stone published a follow-up article, revealing that Fallon and showrunner Chris Miller addressed the issue with the staff over Zoom. Two employees who attended the meeting claimed that Fallon expressed embarrassment and regret. “Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even tell you,” Fallon allegedly said. He also emphasized his desire for the show to be fun, inclusive, and composed of the best people.
The revelations shared in the Rolling Stone article have generated significant attention. A former employee stated, “Nobody told Jimmy, ‘No.’ Everybody walked on eggshells, especially showrunners… You never knew which Jimmy we were going to get and when he was going to throw a hissy fit. Look how many showrunners went so quickly. We know they didn’t last long.”
Since taking over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno nine years ago, Fallon has had nine different showrunners, according to Rolling Stone. This turnover in leadership further contributed to the challenging work environment on the show.
Rolling Stone attempted to contact approximately 80 employees during their investigation into Fallon’s alleged behavior. While many praised Fallon’s talent and comedic abilities, not a single person agreed to speak on the record or had positive things to say about working on The Tonight Show.
A current employee told People magazine that the recent accusations were frustrating for many staff members. They emphasized Fallon’s genuine desire to create a positive, creative, and enjoyable show. “Things have changed so much for the better, and it’s disheartening to see some of these old accusations being brought up again,” the employee said.
Following the publication of Rolling Stone’s initial article, NBC released a statement affirming their commitment to providing a respectful work environment. They acknowledged that issues have been raised by employees in the past and that appropriate actions have been taken. NBC encouraged employees to report any concerns that are inconsistent with their policies.
Currently, The Tonight Show is on hiatus due to the ongoing actor and writer strike. Fallon has partnered with late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver to create a podcast and raise funds in support of their striking staff.
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