On Thursday, Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, issued an apology to his staff in response to allegations from 16 current and former employees of a ‘toxic’ workplace environment.
The beleaguered host, observed later in the day arriving at JFK Airport, conducted a Zoom meeting with his staff in the evening, earnestly seeking their forgiveness.
“I’m filled with profound remorse, I can’t even express it,” Fallon conveyed to his team, as reported by Rolling Stone, which initially disclosed Fallon’s purported ‘erratic’ conduct behind the scenes, referencing accounts from two individuals present during the meeting.
According to the staffers, Fallon’s apology appeared to be quite sincere.
“It felt pretty earnest,” they noted, regarding Fallon’s expressed remorse.
During his apology, Fallon reportedly expressed deep embarrassment and regret, saying, “It’s embarrassing, and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you, your family, and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even put it into words.”
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He also emphasized his desire for the show to maintain its fun and inclusive atmosphere, stating, “I want the show to be enjoyable and welcoming to everyone. It should strive to be the best show it can be.”
Former and current employees have made troubling claims about Jimmy Fallon’s behavior, suggesting that his “hissy fits” have led to emotional distress, physical health issues, and even thoughts of suicide among staff members. According to their accounts, Fallon’s unpredictable behavior has created a consistently tense atmosphere.
Despite Fallon’s on-screen persona, known for humor, games, and trivia that draw millions of online viewers, his reported mood swings have been a significant source of distress. One former employee described the workplace as tense, stating, “If Jimmy is in a bad mood, everyone’s day is negatively affected. People refrained from light-hearted banter in the office and were cautious not to engage in casual conversations because of the fear of setting Fallon off.”
These behavioral inconsistencies have reportedly permeated the program’s hierarchy, which has witnessed nine showrunners in as many years. Some employees believe the lack of a stable leadership figure has contributed to the challenges faced on the show.
It’s worth noting that none of the nine showrunners have publicly shared negative or positive opinions about the show, remaining silent on the matter.
