EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show staff speak out to DEFEND him against bombshell ‘toxic workplace’ claims – insisting host goes ‘above and beyond’ to make them feel like ‘family’ with handwritten birthday cards and even special trivia nights

Current staff at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon have dismissed bombshell reports of a toxic workplace, insisting the host will ‘go to any lengths’ to make his staff feel like ‘family’ – and even hosts trivia nights and sends handwritten birthday messages.

On Thursday, Rolling stone published an article in which fourteen former employees and two current employees raised concerns about Fallon’s alleged “erratic” workplace behavior and interactions with other bosses.

They claimed the host’s inconsistent behavior, including ‘outbursts’ towards employees, was the starting point for a ‘quite somber atmosphere’, with some claiming it sparked suicidal thoughts.

While Fallon has reportedly issued a ‘heartfelt’ apology to his staff, telling them he feels ‘so bad’ and ‘ashamed’ about the scandal, DailyMail.com has heard from four current employees – who wish to remain anonymous – who have pressed for the charges. are not a true reflection of his character or their workplace.

Producers of the NBC show insist that Fallon goes out of his way to make the staff and crew ‘feel like a family’

The employees – who DailyMail.com has verified are currently working on the show – claim Fallon has encouraged staff and their careers, been flexible with ideas and even sent ‘handwritten notes for birthdays’.

One producer, who has been on the show for more than two years, described the environment as “supportive, collaborative and everyone happy” and that Fallon goes above and beyond to ensure the crew and celebrity guests feel at ease feel comfort.

“From the day I walked in, I felt like everyone was very energetic and enthusiastic about creating a very positive workplace, especially Jimmy, and I work closely with him,” they said.

‘I am with him every day. I gave him bad news. I disagree with him on some of the things he wanted to do. I can’t say enough good things about him, how empathetic he is, how he listens to the opinions of others, how open he is to flexibility.”

While the staff member admitted that Fallon will occasionally “stick to his guns,” they went on to note that he always shows “respect” for anyone with a different opinion.

‘I’ve seen him change his mind. I have seen him stick to his guns, but have respect for other people who disagree with him.

“The Jimmy I’ve seen walks the halls and talks to everyone. He has never belittled anyone. I’ve never seen him snap at anyone. The celebrities come and he is nice to everyone. He knows every crew member.”

Turning their attention to the work environment of The Tonight Show, they continued, “Everyone is constantly talking about how happy they are.

‘Everyone laughs, everyone laughs. The teams are well-oiled machines, we all communicate well with each other.’

A second producer said Fallon repeatedly goes out of his way to make the staff and crew “feel like a family” and the 30 Rock offices “feel more like a home than a workplace.”

Rolling Stone published an article in which former employees and two current employees raised concerns about Fallon’s “erratic” behavior in the workplace

The show’s staff has insisted that they have a happy working environment. ‘Everyone laughs, everyone laughs. The teams are well-oiled machines, we all communicate well with each other.’

One employee revealed that Fallon, pictured with Zoey Deutch in 2022, hosts trivia nights and talent shows for staff

They also said the host gives out high-fives in the hallways and writes handwritten notes for life milestones

An employee told DailyMail.com that Fallon “never disparaged anyone” during their tenure on the show

Another producer told us that Fallon fueled their growth and gave them “incredible opportunities.”

“He organizes social events for all of us, such as trivia nights, speed bowling and talent shows for the staff,” they said.

“I’ve received his high-fives in the hallways and his handwritten notes for birthdays, life milestones and job well done.”

Another producer, who worked on The Tonight Show for 14 years and rose through the ranks, echoed the sentiment that the crew is more of a “family” than colleagues.

“It’s been a community and a family that I’ve been fortunate to grow up in and I’ve felt nothing but support from the people around me – from Jimmy to other producers and all my colleagues on the show,” they said. .

They added that they have worked directly with Jimmy throughout their career on the show and on his other projects, revealing that Fallon has “encouraged my growth” and “given me incredible opportunities.”

A fourth producer told DailyMail.com that they had been working at The Tonight Show for almost three years.

“I have had a very positive experience not only with Jimmy, but also with the current and former leadership, as well as the staff and crew as a whole,” they said, claiming their colleagues would agree with this statement.

Fallon was seen on Thursday for the first time since news broke of allegations that he created a toxic workplace on The Tonight Show

The talk show host reportedly apologized to his staff via Zoom and said he feels ‘so bad’

According to reports, Fallon had a Zoom call with his staff on Thursday evening to apologize directly to them.

“It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad,” he reportedly said. “Sorry if I’ve embarrassed you and your family and friends…I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.”

He reportedly continued, “I want the show to be fun and inclusive for everyone. It should be the best show.”

Fallon’s apology came after Rolling Stone published an article claiming his “hissy fits” forced former staffers to sob in “cry rooms,” caused their hair to fall out and induced suicidal thoughts.

They alleged that Fallon’s inconsistent behavior, including “outbursts” toward employees, was the starting point for a “pretty somber atmosphere.”

Although the talk show host is known for his hilarious on-screen anecdotes with a series of games, challenges and trivia that rack up millions of views online every week, staff claimed Fallon has unexpected mood swings.

“It was like, if Jimmy is in a bad mood, everyone’s day is ruined,” a former employee told the publication.

“People weren’t joking in the office, and they weren’t talking to each other. It was a lot like, concentrate on whatever you have to do, because Jimmy’s in a bad mood, and if he sees that, he might fly off.”

Fallon has hosted The Tonight Show since 2014, and the show was recently extended until 2026

The program is currently on hold due to the ongoing writers’ strike

While The Tonight Show, produced by Universal Television, Broadway Video and Electric Hot Dog – Fallon’s production company, is currently on hold due to the writers’ strike, it was extended by NBC until 2026.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, an NBC spokesperson said The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is no different than anywhere else.

“We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show and providing a respectful work environment is a top priority,” the spokesperson said.

“As in any workplace, we had employees raise issues; these have been investigated and measures have been taken where necessary.

“As always, we encourage employees who feel they have experienced or observed behavior that violates our policies to report their concerns so that we can address them accordingly.”

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon premiered on February 17, 2014, and is the seventh incarnation of NBC’s long-running Tonight Show franchise, with Fallon as the sixth host.

Airing weekdays, the program begins with the host’s monologue, before moving into comedy skits/games and concluding with guest interviews and a musical performance.