Jimmy Fallon looks low-key, smiles in first pics since ‘toxic’ work environment claims surfaced
Jimmy Fallon seemed to be in good spirits in his first public sighting since being accused by over a dozen current and former “Tonight Show” staffers of creating a “toxic” work environment.
Fallon, 48, was photographed arriving at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York Thursday just hours after the bombshell report made headlines.
The former “Saturday Night Live” star, who flashed cameras a quick smile, tried to stay under the radar in dark sunglasses and a blue Yankees hat.
Fallon, who seemingly waved to a couple of on-lookers, kept things casual in black pants, a white T-shirt and an unbuttoned tan sweater.
The comedian quickly made his way through the terminals before hopping into a car waiting for him outside.
Earlier in the day, Rolling Stone published a shocking report detailing Fallon’s alleged “erratic behavior” on the late-night talk show.
According to two current and 14 former employees, staffers “walked on eggshells” around Fallon, who they claimed showed up to work drunk on numerous occasions.
While two employees alleged that Fallon seemed drunk on set in 2017, another two claimed to have smelled alcohol on his breath twice between 2019 and 2020.
In fact, sources told Page Six in 2016 that Fallon was allegedly a “heavy drinker” and that it became a point of concern for NBC.
“There were fears that Fallon was out of control and something could happen while he’s out drinking,” an insider told us at the time.
Although the network publicly denied that Fallon had any substance abuse issues that same year, his current and former employees sang a different tune in the new report.
They also claimed that the daily work environment was totally dependent on Fallon’s mood, which they called “good Jimmy days” and “bad Jimmy days.”
“It was like, if Jimmy is in a bad mood, everyone’s day is f–ked,” one employee claimed. “People wouldn’t joke around in the office, and they wouldn’t stand around and talk to each other. It was very much like, focus on whatever it is that you have to do because Jimmy’s in a bad mood, and if he sees that, he might fly off.”
A second staffer agreed, claiming, “You never knew which Jimmy we were going to get and when he was going to throw a hissy fit. Look how many showrunners went so quickly. We know they didn’t last long.”
There have notably been nine different showrunners in the past nine years, which the employees attributed to the negative environment.
In fact, some former employees described the “Tonight Show” as a “pretty glum atmosphere,” which led them to developing mental health issues.
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A few former employees claimed that it was normal amongst staffers to joke about “wanting to kill themselves” and that they called the dressing rooms “crying rooms.”
While Fallon has yet to speak out about the allegations, sources told Page Six that the work environment has completely changed ever since new showrunner Chris Miller joined last May.
“He’s brought a renewed enthusiasm and positive energy to the show,” the source tells Page Six. “Chris prides himself on being available to the staff and a transparent leader.
Meanwhile, another producer told us that Fallon is extremely “engaged” with the staff and “the atmosphere is very different.”
“There’s a new wave that came in a year and a half ago and has just made everything change,” the producer tells us, noting that they also have a new head booker and new head writer.
