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Late night TV show host Jimmy Fallon has apologised to colleagues after allegations emerged about a difficult work environment at the Tonight Show.

During a Zoom call with staff, Fallon, 48, reportedly said he did not intend to “create that type of atmosphere”, Rolling Stone magazine reported.

The apology comes after the magazine published allegations from 16 of the popular US TV show’s current and former staff on 7 September.

The magazine said there is an “ugly environment behind the scenes” that starts “with Fallon’s erratic behaviour, and has trickled down to its ever-changing leadership teams”.

Some complained that the difficult working environment was detrimental to their mental health, whilse others claimed they were fired.

The staff members, who all requested anonymity, said they would refer to guests’ dressing rooms as “crying rooms” as it would be where they let out their emotions about their alleged mistreatment.

Pic: AP
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Fallon has spearheaded the show since 2014. Pic: AP

Having not responded to Rolling Stones directly, Fallon – who has spearheaded the programme since 2014 – reportedly told staff that he “feels so bad”.

“Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even tell you,” he said, according to two people who were on a video call over Zoom.

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A spokesperson for The Tonight Show broadcaster, NBC, told Rolling Stone: “We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority.

“As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated and action has been taken where appropriate. As is always the case, we encourage employees who feel they have experienced or observed behaviour inconsistent with our policies to report their concerns so that we may address them accordingly.”

Pic: AP
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Fallon in London with members of The Rolling Stones. Pic: AP

The day before the Rolling Stones exclusive was published, Fallon was in London where he interviewed The Rolling Stones‘ Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood in Hackney, east London, as they unveiled their brand-new album.

Allegations of this nature have become more common in Hollywood in recent years.

In 2021, Ellen DeGeneres faced similar accusations about her self-titled prime-time chat show.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ended in 2022 after 19 seasons, had been blighted by allegations of a toxic workplace environment, with three top producers leaving the show in 2020.

Addressing the rumours at the time, DeGeneres apologised to the people affected, adding: “I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”

The comedian denied the decision to end the show altogether was due to the allegations.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs on weeknights in the US and involves comedic sketches, celebrity guest interviews and musical performances.

It is one among many TV shows and films that has been affected by the Hollywood writers’ strike in a dispute over fair pay.

“I’ve got no show without my writers,” Fallon said back in May when addressing the strike action at the Met Gala on New York.

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Bob Vylan dropped by talent agency – as BBC expresses ‘regret’ over streaming of Glastonbury performance

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Bob Vylan dropped by talent agency - as BBC expresses 'regret' over streaming of Glastonbury performance

The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan’s “unacceptable” Glastonbury set – as Ofcom said the broadcaster had “questions to answer”.

The corporation has faced mounting criticism over airing the performance on Glastonbury‘s West Holts Stage, during which the rap-punk duo’s frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of, “free, free Palestine”, and “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.

Sir Keir Starmer condemned the remarks as “appalling hate speech”, while festival organiser Emily Eavis said they “crossed a line” – and media watchdog Ofcom has now also released a statement raising concerns.

On Monday morning, a spokesperson for the prime minister did not directly answer when asked if he still had confidence in BBC director-general Tim Davie.

Sky News understands the band have since been dropped by representatives United Talent Agency.

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What is the Glastonbury controversy?

During Bob Vylan’s set on Saturday, they performed in front of a screen that showed several messages, including one that said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to “genocide”.

Footage from the performance shows some of the crowd joining in with the chants.

Amid criticism afterwards, the BBC said there had been a warning on screen about potential “strong and discriminatory language”, but described the comments as “deeply offensive”.

On Monday, a spokesperson released an updated statement, saying the comments were antisemitic and the performance should have been taken off air.

“The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence,” the statement said. “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.”

Bob Vylan member on stage. Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

A judgement to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with editorial guidelines, the spokesperson added, and the performance has not been made available to view on demand.

“The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.

“In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.”

Ofcom’s reaction

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer.

“We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines.”

In a statement shared on Instagram on Sunday, Bobby Vylan said: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.

“As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”

The latest developments follows severe condemnation from the prime minister, who said there was “no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech”.

Mo Chara of Kneecap at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters
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Mo Chara of Kneecap at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters

Sir Keir also referenced a previous statement that Belfast rap group Kneecap, who were on stage after Bob Vylan, should have been removed from the line-up after one member was charged with a terrorism offence.

“I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence,” he said.

Ms Eavis, whose father Michael co-founded the festival, said in a statement that Bob Vylan had “very much crossed a line”.

She added: “Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”

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The Israeli embassy posted on X in the hours after the set, saying it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric”.

It said the slogan used “advocates for the dismantling of the State of Israel”.

In a separate post on X on Sunday, Israel’s foreign ministry published graphic footage following the attack by Hamas on the Nova festival in Israel on 7 October 2023, and the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said it would be formally complaining to the BBC over its “outrageous decision” to broadcast the performance.

Speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on behalf of the government, Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the chant as “appalling”, especially at a music festival – “when there were Israelis at a similar music festival who were kidnapped, murdered, raped, and in some cases still held captive”.

He added that while “there’s no justification for inciting violence against Israelis… the way in which Israel’s conducting this war has made it extremely difficult for Israel’s allies around the world to stand by and justify”.

Lucy McMullin, who was in the crowd for Bob Vylan, told Sky News: “When there’s children and civilians being murdered and starved, then I think it’s important that people are speaking out on these issues.

“However, inciting more death and violence is not the way to do it.”

Police have said they are reviewing footage of both the Bob Vylan and Kneecap sets to assess whether any criminal offences were committed.

Speaking to Sky News, women and equalities minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the comments “clearly” over-stepped the mark.

“I’m surprised that the BBC carried on broadcasting them live when it was obvious what was happening.”

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RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne died by ‘misadventure’, inquest finds

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RuPaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne died by 'misadventure', inquest finds

An inquest has found drag queen The Vivienne did not intend to take their life when they died after taking ketamine.

Coroner Jacqueline Devonish concluded The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, died by “misadventure” after suffering cardio respiratory arrest.

Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, was found dead at the age of 32 in the bath at their home in Cheshire on 5 January this year.

In March, the star’s family revealed the performer had died “from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest”, saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug.

Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard five drug snap bags were found, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom, in their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester.

Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

The inquest heard friends and family had no worries about Williams’s mental health and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did “occasionally” take ketamine.

The star’s family told the hearing the performer should not be remembered for their use of the Class B drug and that drugs did not define the person they were.

Williams’s father Lee Williams described them as “an outgoing character who was full of life” and “just wanted to make people laugh”.

“He achieved his goals. He had future goals he wanted to achieve. Along the way he always wanted to try to help his community, which he did and try to help other drag queens,” he said.

“He was always available. He never turned anybody down. He never turned his back on anybody. He never said no.

“He loved the stage, that’s where he saw the rest of his career being, on the stage, in the theatre. That’s what he loved to do.”

Williams’s funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.

The Vivienne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Wicked' on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in London. (Photo by Millie Turner/Invision/AP)
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The Vivienne at the premiere of the film ‘Wicked’ in November 2024. Pic: AP

During their time on the show, under their drag name, Williams admitted having been a drug addict for four years.

“It was party, drugs, but I couldn’t leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me,” they said.

They added that their addiction was a “habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard”.

The TV personality, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.

The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.

They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year.

The government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels.

In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.

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Who are Bob Vylan – the duo who led anti-IDF chant at Glastonbury?

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