Actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld is addressing a specific allegation regarding the alleged negative work atmosphere behind the scenes of Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, which he took over from Jay Leno. Despite enjoying significant success, recent reports have raised disturbing claims about a toxic work environment and incidents involving the show’s staff.
Among these, it’s said that Jerry Seinfeld compelled Fallon to apologize to an employee after a tense encounter related to cue card mishandling, which was described as “awkward.”
Jimmy Fallon Issued An Apology To His Staff
Following the emergence of these allegations and Jimmy Fallon’s subsequent apology to his staff, Variety secured a statement from Jerry Seinfeld regarding the incident in question. In stark contrast to the employee’s description of it as “awkward” and “one of the strangest moments ever,” the comedian vehemently denies this characterization. Instead, he recollects the incident as a rather comical episode.
Jerry Seinfeld told Variety:
“This is so stupid. I remember this moment quite well… I teased Jimmy about a flub, and we all had a fun laugh about how rarely Jimmy is thrown off. It was not uncomfortable at all. Jimmy and I still occasionally recall it and laugh. Idiotic twisting of events.”
News of the challenging work environment behind the scenes of The Tonight Show surfaced on September 7, unveiling an extensive exposé shedding light on the experiences of crew members.
Jimmy Fallon’s Employees Come Forward After The Allegations
Staff members claim the presence of distinct “Good Jimmy days” and “Bad Jimmy days” significantly impacts the atmosphere on set. On the former, the Emmy-winning host is rumored to experience frequent outbursts, causing some crew members to retreat to dressing rooms in tears. Conversely, during better days, he is described as charming and humorous, resulting in an incredibly unpredictable work environment for the team.
Reportedly, the workplace environment led to an unusually high rate of employee turnover, surpassing that of most other late-night shows. The persistent pressure resulted in extreme stress among the staff. While Fallon shoulders some responsibility, employees also voiced concerns about the inconsistent leadership stemming from the frequent turnover of showrunners. Fallon has already commended the capabilities of the current showrunner, Chris Miller, who has been at the helm of the show since 2022.
Presently, the show remains on hold, in line with its status since the Writers Guild of America strike commenced. Fallon has resorted to Zoom to extend his apologies to his staff. Workers have described his apology as “sincere” and have conveyed his intent to foster an “inclusive” atmosphere for the crew. Nevertheless, as the investigation unfolds, further revelations may surface. Should Fallon resume hosting duties once the strike concludes, significant transformations are expected for the production of The Tonight Show.
Source: Variety
