Jimmy Fallon Reportedly Apologized to ‘Tonight Show’ Employees During Zoom Meeting

The funnyman is making mea culpas. Jimmy Fallon reportedly apologized hours after Rolling Stone released an exposé Thursday in which current and former employees alleged that the host created a “horrible environment” at The Tonight Show with his “erratic behavior.” “I feel so bad I can’t even tell you,” Fallon reportedly told his staff.

On Thursday evening, according to Rolling Stone, Fallon and Tonight Show showrunner Chris Miller held a Zoom meeting for employees. Two staffers who were present told senior entertainment reporter Krystie Lee Yandoli that Fallon said he never intended to “create that type of atmosphere for the show.” “It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad,” Fallon said, according to the two employees present. “Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends…. I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.”

Yandoli’s Thursday exposé reported that 16 Tonight Show employees—14 former and two current—alleged that Fallon’s erratic behavior fostered a toxic work environment, which was exacerbated by the fact that The Tonight Show has had nine different showrunners since 2014. Employees reportedly lived in a state of “widespread fear” and frequently cried in guests’ dressing rooms as a result of Fallon’s alleged moods and the constantly changing leadership. Many Tonight Show staffers said that though they “voiced their concerns through HR complaints,” issues at the show “persisted.”

According to the two employees in the meeting, Fallon’s apology felt “pretty earnest.” During the Zoom call, Fallon reportedly stressed that Miller, who took over as showrunner in March 2022, was “a great leader” and wouldn’t be going anywhere. There have been no formal complaints during Miller’s tenure, according to a source who spoke to Vanity Fair. 

“I want the show to be fun, [it] should be inclusive to everybody,” Fallon reportedly said. “It should be the best show.”

Previously, a spokesperson for NBC released a statement that defended the program but did not mention Fallon. “We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority,” read the statement. “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.”

Representatives for Fallon and NBC did not immediately return Vanity Fair’s requests for comment.