The fall of Fallon? Employees expose hostile environment on Jimmy's show

While the popular night-time television host, Jimmy Fallon, is particularly known for his warm demeanour on screen, it seems that The Tonight Show host has come under fire by former employees who claim he was responsible for a hostile work environment.

In an expose by Rolling Stone, 16 staff members – current and past – came forth to speak about the realities of working for Fallon on set. A detailed article revealed that the concept of “bad Jimmy days” and “good Jimmy days” was fairly common on set, with the former resulting in a rather unpredictable, irritable and downright disrespectful host that would make days on set rather difficult.

Details reveal that the ex-SNL starrer was known to “snap at crew members, express irritation over the smallest of things, and berate and belittle staffers out of frustration; three former employees say that he berated them in front of other colleagues and crew members.” 

Many employees even revealed that the hostile environment eventually started affecting their mental health. Workers disclosed that some had nightmares related to work and would even cry themselves to sleep, while one former employee detailed that they experienced their first anxiety attack while working for the show and were put on anti-anxiety medication; another noticed their hair thinning and weakened nail beds. Four others admitted to having to go to therapy, while three even said to experience forms of suicidal ideation as a result of the environment.

While the culture on Fallon’s late-night show has allegedly been harsh, it is also reported that it has seen multiple showrunners changes almost every year, simply because “nobody told Jimmy, ‘no.’ Everybody walked on eggshells … You never knew which Jimmy we would get and when he would throw a hissy fit. Look how many showrunners went so quickly. We know they didn’t last long.”

One incident with Jerry Seinfeld is particularily highlighted where an employee mistakenly muddled Fallon’s cue cards, resulting in a rather harsh scolding, as two employees recalled. In an uncomfortable moment, to say the least, Seinfeld reportedly asked Fallon to apologize to the crew member, after which he did.

“It was very awkward, and Jerry [Seinfeld] was like, ‘You should apologize to him,’ almost trying to make it a joke … It was one of the strangest moments ever, and so many people were there, so it’s kind of hard to forget,” an employee revealed.

However, after the story's publication, the actor reportedly said, “This is so stupid. I remember this moment quite well…I teased Jimmy about a flub, and we all had a fun laugh about how rarely Jimmy is thrown off. It was not uncomfortable at all. Jimmy and I still occasionally recall it and laugh. Idiotic twisting of events.”

While representatives for the host did not wish to comment at the time, Fallon has allegedly apologized to staffers over a Zoom call after the story’s release. “It’s embarrassing, and I feel so bad,” Fallon said, according to two people who were on the call. “Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.”