Jimmy Fallon apologises to The Tonight Show staffers after toxic work environment allegations

American TV host Jimmy Fallon has apologised to the staff of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon after there were allegations of "toxic" work environment on the show's set.

The Rolling Stone magazine on Thursday came out with a report in which many staffers alleged that The Tonight Show has been a toxic workplace for years due to Fallon’s “erratic behaviour.” Fallon, who took over as the host of the late-night programme from Jay Leno in 2014, held a brief Zoom meeting on Thursday evening and tendered an apology to the staff, reported American outlet Variety.

“It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends,” Fallon said during a Zoom meeting with The Tonight Show employees.

“I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.” He told the group, during the meeting, which was said to be brief: "I want this show to be fun, it should be inclusive for everybody, it should be funny, it should be the best show, the best people."

Several former staff members of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon spoke about what they described as a toxic work environment behind the scenes, of the late-night programme.

Some of these staffers said their mental health worsened during their time on the show, where they alleged Jimmy could lash out under pressure.

One former employee of the show said: “It was like, if Jimmy is in a bad mood, everyone’s day is f*****. 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.”

One staffer also alleged Jimmy appeared drunk at work during a rehearsal and couldn’t recall crossing out a joke in his notes. “He couldn’t remember he had just crossed it out himself,” the employee said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, he is drunk. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. This could be awful - this could be the end of the show right here.'"

According to the report, some staffers said their mental health was negatively affected during their time on the late-night show, where they alleged the host would act "erratic" and "snap at crew members, express irritation over the smallest of things, and berate and belittle staffers out of frustration."