Former and current employees of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon They have reported having worked in a toxic environment.
In a new report from Rolling Stone14 former staff members and two current employees have shared their experiences on NBC’s late-night show.
The investigation, published on Thursday (September 7), claims that employees were in a “constant state of fear” due to the chaotic environment and the 48-year-old Fallon’s allegedly unpredictable temperament.
The Independent has contacted Fallon’s representatives for comment.
Former comedian and cast member of Saturday night LiveFallon has headlined the talk show since 2014. The Tonight Show is known by many for its high-profile celebrity guests, which have included the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, as well as for its fun games and musical interludes.
Seven former employees have stated that their mental health was harmed by working on the show.
Some of the former employees cited in the article claim that they have suffered nightmares, anxiety and, in three cases, suicidal tendencies as a result of the presenter’s alleged “erratic” behavior and the constant changes of senior members of the production team.
For the past nine years, the show has had a new author-producer each year.
According to several people who have spoken with Rolling Stone“everyone knows” that “Fallon’s temperament, humor and treatment of staff is erratic.”
“No one dared to say no to Jimmy. “Everyone was walking on eggshells, especially the showrunners,” said a former employee.
“We never knew which version of Jimmy we were going to get and when he was going to throw a tantrum. Look how many showrunners left fast. “We knew they wouldn’t hold out for long.”
(Getty)
Another employee described physical effects related to the deterioration of his mental health from his experiences in the program, such as hair loss and weakened nail beds.
The report adds: “Four other employees say they are in therapy because of their experiences.”
It is also claimed that they were often heard joking about “wanting to commit suicide”.
Employees also raised issues with the comments they received from Fallon, with one alleging that the host’s comments were “passive-aggressive” and unnecessarily intimate.
Rolling Stone saw photos of Fallon’s alleged notes to employees, which read: “Ugh, pathetic. What’s the matter? You went too far.”
Other revelations in the report include the claim that employees called guest dressing rooms “cry rooms” as they used them to calm their emotions. Additionally, some claimed that Fallon’s temper affected the rest of the staff.
“If Jimmy was in a bad mood, everyone’s day was fucked up,” a former employee told the magazine.
“People didn’t joke around in the office and they didn’t hang around talking to each other. It was kind of like, stay on your own because Jimmy’s in a bad mood, and he might get mad.”
An NBC spokesperson defended the show in a statement to Rolling Stone:
“We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show. Creating a respectful work environment is our top priority. As in any workplace, issues have been raised by employees, which have been investigated and action taken. As always, we encourage employees to let us know if they believe they have seen conduct inconsistent with our policies so we can appropriately address it.”
Translation of anna mcdonnell
