The “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon has issued an apology to his staff following an article that labelled the show’s set as a “toxic workplace.”
During a virtual meeting, Mr. Fallon expressed his embarrassment and remorse, stating, “It’s embarrassing, and I feel so bad.”
The article, published by Rolling Stone, featured allegations from 14 former staff members and two current employees who claimed that Mr. Fallon’s “erratic behavior” contributed to an unhealthy work environment.
According to a staff member present at the meeting, Mr. Fallon addressed the potential mistreatment and reassured the team, saying, “If I ever mistreated anybody, or made you feel bad, that was not my goal…I just wanted to say I miss you guys.”
In response to the article, NBC released a statement emphasizing its commitment to providing a respectful working environment: “We are incredibly proud of ‘The Tonight Show,’ and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority. As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated, and action has been taken where appropriate.”
Furthermore, a spokeswoman for NBCUniversal clarified that Mr. Fallon and the show are not under investigation as the allegations in the article are years old and have already been addressed by the company.
The Rolling Stone article highlighted a specific incident involving Mr. Fallon scolding a staff member holding a cue card during a taping with Jerry Seinfeld. However, Mr. Seinfeld clarified that the situation was blown out of proportion and the moment was not uncomfortable as described.
Jimmy Fallon became the host of “The Tonight Show” in 2014, and his light-hearted approach to the show resonated with audiences. However, his ratings declined after a controversial interview with Donald J. Trump in 2016. Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert’s politically-focused monologues on “The Late Show” propelled his ratings above Mr. Fallon’s.
Despite the ratings slide, Mr. Fallon has undergone several changes in showrunners. As a result of the ongoing writers’ strike, Mr. Fallon joined forces with other late-night hosts to host a podcast called “Strike Force Five,” with proceeds being distributed to their unemployed staff members.
Chris Miller, the current showrunner for “The Tonight Show,” sent an email to staff members addressing the Rolling Stone article. He expressed his disbelief that the article accurately portrayed the team’s culture and affirmed his belief in the positive and inclusive environment they have fostered together.
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