Jimmy Fallon has broken his silence following allegations that he fostered a “toxic work environment” on The Tonight Show. Former and some current staff members accused him of “erratic behavior” and creating a “pretty glum atmosphere,” among other claims.
On Thursday, September 7, Fallon responded to these accusations in light of Rolling Stone’s bombshell report. In a private gathering with his staff, he issued an apology. Deadline reported his words as follows:
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I never set out to create that type of atmosphere at the show. I think sometimes I’m working with the best of the best; you guys are at the top of the game. There are things I’ve done in the past that are embarrassing, but I never mistreated anybody.”
He continued, expressing his intentions for the show:
“I want this show to be fun, it should be inclusive for everybody, it should be funny, it should be the best show, the best people. I just wanted to… say I miss you guys.”
In response to the Rolling Stone report, a source shared a perspective that contradicted the allegations, noting that the report represents the viewpoints of less than one percent of the nearly 300 current staffers. The source emphasized that accusations of toxicity were not a recurring sentiment under other Tonight Show showrunners and that categorizing the show this way would be unfair. They also pointed out that the show has had a well-liked and highly respected showrunner for the past year and a half, who played a crucial role in navigating challenges like the pandemic and a strike.
Furthermore, the source highlighted the demanding nature of working on a late-night show or any daily production, which often involves long days and stressful moments. They likened it to a newsroom, where feedback and a fast pace are inherent to the job. They stated:
“Working at a late-night show, or on any sort of production that is putting a show on the air every single day can be extremely demanding. While everyone on the show is working towards the common goal of creating a fun, comedic, energetic show, this process is not without long days and stressful moments. Not dissimilar to a newsroom, feedback and a fast pace come with the territory.”
It’s important to note that representatives for Jimmy Fallon did not comment on the record regarding the Rolling Stone story.
In addressing these allegations and expressing his commitment to a positive work environment, Jimmy Fallon aims to maintain the show’s legacy of being fun, inclusive, and entertaining for everyone involved. The perspectives presented in the Rolling Stone report offer a glimpse into the complexities of working in a demanding industry but should be considered alongside a broader context of experiences on The Tonight Show.
