Former ‘The Tonight Show’ Employees Describe a ‘Pretty Glum Atmosphere’ with Belittlement and Intimidation, Including Jimmy Fallon

Former ‘The Tonight Show‘ employees felt belittled and intimidated by bosses, including Jimmy Fallon, describing a gloomy atmosphere with concerns about his outbursts and erratic behavior.

Rolling Stone Report Reveals Toxic Work Environment at ‘The Tonight Show’ Allegedly Linked to Jimmy Fallon’s Behavior

As per Rolling Stone reports, 16 past and present employees of ‘The Tonight Show’ have had a toxic work environment for years, mainly due to Jimmy Fallon’s unpredictable behavior at the top. They describe it as tense and gloomy, with some claiming they were belittled and intimidated by bosses, including Fallon. Employees were also afraid of his outbursts and inconsistent behavior. Despite HR complaints, issues at the show persisted.

An ex-employee said, “It’s a bummer because it was my dream job.” ex-employee added. “Writing for late night is a lot of people’s dream jobs, and they’re coming into this and it becomes a nightmare very quickly. It’s sad that it’s like that, especially knowing that it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Seven former employees of The Tonight Show have revealed that their mental health suffered during their time there. They mentioned that people often joked about feeling so stressed that they “wanted to kill themselves.” They also referred to guests’ dressing rooms as “crying rooms,” where they would go to express their emotions when they felt mistreated.

These former employees chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation. They held various positions on the show, such as production crew members, office staffers, and writers. Many left the show due to its impact on their mental health, while some said they were fired.

NBC Defends ‘The Tonight Show’ Amid Workplace Concerns, Focusing on Respectful Environment

In a statement, a spokesperson for NBC defended the program — but, notably, did not mention Fallon himself. “We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority,” the spokesperson said. “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 Tonight Show’ is a famous American late-night talk show known for featuring celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and musical performances. It has had several hosts over the years, with Johnny Carson and Jimmy Fallon being two of the most iconic ones.