Jimmy Fallon has issued an apology to his colleagues following allegations of a challenging work environment reported in a Rolling Stone article published on Thursday. According to CNN's information, during a Zoom meeting with the staff of "The Tonight Show," which took place after the publication of the story, Fallon expressed that he did not intend to foster such an atmosphere on the show. This information is based on a follow-up article by Rolling Stone, which cites unnamed employees who were present during the call.
CNN has attempted to contact Fallon's representatives for comment. An NBC spokesperson directed CNN to the network's statement that was originally included in Rolling Stone's report.
According to the Rolling Stone article, Fallon was quoted as saying, "It's embarrassing, and I feel so bad." He reportedly added, "Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can't even tell you." Fallon also expressed his desire for the show to be enjoyable, inclusive for everyone, and the best it can be.
The initial Rolling Stone story featured accounts from 16 current and former employees who described a challenging work environment at "The Tonight Show," which they claimed had a negative impact on their mental well-being. These individuals were not identified by name in the story due to concerns about potential professional repercussions. CNN has not independently verified their allegations.
In the first story, neither Fallon nor "The Tonight Show" provided comments. Instead, a statement from NBC was included in the report, emphasizing the network's commitment to maintaining a respectful working environment and addressing employee concerns.
It's worth noting that in 2020, Fallon faced criticism for a resurfaced "Saturday Night Live" sketch in which he wore blackface while impersonating Chris Rock. He issued an apology at the time in response to the controversy surrounding the sketch, which originally aired on "SNL" in 2000.
In recent weeks, Fallon and fellow late-night hosts John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers have appeared on the "Strike Force Five" podcast while their shows are on hiatus due to an ongoing writers' strike. The podcast's proceeds are intended to support the staff members who are currently out of work from the hosts' respective shows.