Fallon apologizes to staff in wake of article
Jimmy Fallon has apologized to “The Tonight Show” staff after a Rolling Stone investigation outlined ways in which the Emmy-winning program has been a “toxic workplace” for years, fostered by its titular star.
The magazine, citing two current and 14 former staffers, reported Thursday that the NBC star spoiled the “dream” of working on the legendary late-night show with his erratic behavior, berating employees and giving at least one former staffer passive-aggressive feedback on their work. The issues affected the employees’
mental health and came from the top, with Fallon’s behavior allegedly trickling down through a revolving door of leaders on the program — nine showrunners in the last nine years — who reportedly didn’t know how to say no to the popular star.
Staffers alleged that “it was common knowledge behind the scenes that there are ‘good Jimmy days’ — where Fallon’s wit and charm and creativity are on full display — and ‘bad Jimmy days,’ ” wrote Rolling Stone’s
Krystie Lee Yandoli.
After the magazine published its report Thursday, Fallon apologized to staffers in an all-hands Zoom call that same day. He was said to be joined by showrunner Chris Miller — who came on as an executive producer in 2022 — and apologized for the troubling behavior cited in the Rolling Stone story, the magazine said.
“It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends,” Fallon reportedly said during the meeting, according to Deadline. “I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.” He also reportedly admitted to doing “embarrassing” things in the past but never intended to “create that type of atmosphere” on the venerable talk show, which was long hosted by Johnny Carson and then Jay Leno.
“I want this show to be fun,” Fallon reportedly said. “It should be inclusive for everybody.”
“We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority,” a spokesperson for NBC said in a statement Friday. “As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated and action has been taken where appropriate. As is always the case, we encourage employees who feel they have experienced or observed behavior inconsistent with our policies to report their concerns so that we may address them accordingly.”
The statement did not mention Fallon by name.
Other staffers have defended the program in follow-up stories in People and ET Online as well, saying that the Rolling Stone story “completely misrepresents the atmosphere at The Tonight Show.”