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Host Fallon: "Can't tell you how bad I feel"

Photo: Todd Owyoung / NBC / Getty Images

US late-night host Jimmy Fallon has apologized to his team for a work atmosphere described as toxic and his contribution to it. According to several American media reports, Fallon addressed employees in a Zoom conference.

"It's embarrassing, and I feel so bad," Fallon said. He said he was sorry that he had embarrassed his colleagues, as well as their family and friends. "I can't tell you how bad I feel."

Behind the scenes of the show there is a "gloomy atmosphere," an employee of the US magazine "Rolling Stone" said. Another said they were afraid of Fallon's "outbursts." According to the magazine, it spoke with 14 former and two current Fallon employees.

Under the protection of anonymity, the subordinates had painted a completely different picture of their boss than the public knows: Fallon was quick-tempered, unpredictable, did what he wanted. According to the report, seven crew members even state that their mental health had been affected by the behavior of Fallon and other superiors. "Psychologically, I was at the lowest point of my life. I didn't want to live anymore," the magazine quotes one of the workers as saying.

In the video call on the allegations, which was described as short, Jimmy Fallon said: "I want the show to be fun. It should be inclusive for everyone, it should be funny, it should be the best show, with the best people."

Fallon has been hosting the "Tonight Show" on NBC since 2014 – during this time, the entertainer has become a star: He is known for his friendly, somewhat apolitical manner – he meets the taste of the masses, is everybody's darling. Most recently, he hosted a press conference of the Rolling Stones in London for their comeback album.

The accusations of the employees at home are also directed against the producers of the show as well as the broadcaster, who would make the toxic working atmosphere possible in the first place – but the focus is particularly on Jimmy Fallon himself: Working under him means the constant danger of a "bad Jimmy day". On such days, the atmosphere is terrible. "If Jimmy is in a bad mood, the day is doomed for everyone. People don't joke in the office, they don't stand around, they don't talk to each other."

Several employees also made allegations of alcohol abuse. In 2017, Fallon was apparently drunk at work. Also, on various occasions in 2019 and 2020, officials thought they smelled alcohol in Fallon's breath. According to eight former employees, Fallon's behavior seems to depend on whether he was hungover from the previous night. In this case, the motto is: "Avoid eye contact, don't make a mistake." One ex-employee said it was "very sad that this really talented man created such a terrible environment for the people there."

According to Rolling Stone, NBC initially issued a statement defending the show, but not mentioning Fallon: "We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and creating a respectful work environment is a top priority," it said. As in any workplace, employees have addressed problems. These were investigated and, if necessary, measures were taken."

Feb/Sol