“Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon apologized to his staff Thursday afternoon after a news article described his show’s set as a “toxic workplace.”
Due to the writer’s strike, Mr. Fallon told staff during a virtual meeting: “It’s embarrassing and I feel really bad.”
Article, published By Rolling Stone14 former employees and two current employees Mr. Alleged that Fallon’s “erratic behavior” helped fuel an unhealthy work environment.
“If I ever mistreat somebody, or make you feel bad, that’s not my goal,” he told the crowd, according to a staff member who was there. “I want this show to be fun. It’s inclusive. It’s fun. It’s a great show, great people. I just wanted to say I miss you guys.”
NBC released a statement Thursday: “We are incredibly proud of ‘The Tonight Show,’ and providing a respectful work environment is a top priority. As in any workplace, we have raised personnel issues; they have been investigated and action taken where appropriate.”
On Friday, a spokesman for NBCUniversal, Mr. Fallon and the show are not under investigation because the allegations in the article are years old and have been addressed by the company.
While Rolling Stone was taping with comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Mr. Fallon scolded an employee holding a cue card. Mr. Seinfeld asked the employee to apologize to Mr. The article went on to say that Fallon was forced, and that other employees described the moment as “awkward.”
Mr. Seinfeld sent a statement to Rolling Stone: “This is so stupid. I remember this moment well. I teased Jimmy about the flub and we all had a good laugh at how rarely Jimmy gets thrown. It wasn’t uncomfortable. Jimmy and I laugh about it occasionally. Stupid turn of events.”
In 2014, Mr. Fallon accepted. His show immediately received huge ratings, and continued even after CBS installed Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman. “The Late Show” in September 2015.
Mr. for the event. Fallon’s light-touch approach — emphasizing singing, dancing and games — matched the national mood.
But in a 2016 interview, Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Mr. Trump’s hair. Shortly after Fallon quit, her show’s ratings began to plummet.
In early 2017, Mr. Just as Trump took over the White House, Mr. Colbert’s “The Late Show” viewership eclipsed “The Tonight Show” because Mr. Colbert and many other late-night hosts began delivering pointed political monologues. That Mr. Fallon stepped aside. Although viewership for all late-night shows has declined in recent years, Mr. Colbert has continued to best Mr. Fallon.
As ratings plummet, Mr. Fallon has gone through several showrunner changes.
Mr. Fallon, as well as Mr. Other late-night hosts including Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver also launched a podcast called “Strike Four Five” together last week. As the writers’ strike has blacked out their shows for 129 days and counting, proceeds from the show go to unemployed workers.
Chris Miller, who has been the “Tonight Show” showrunner since 2022, sent an email to staff on Thursday shortly after the Rolling Stone article was published.
“While I know the reporter reached out to many of you before the piece ran, I don’t believe what was written reflected the overall culture of our extraordinary team I’m so fortunate and honored to work with every day,” he said. wrote “The place described in the article is not a place I know. However, it’s disappointing to release something that doesn’t capture the positive and inclusive environment I believe we’ve created together.
