Damage Control Playbook: How Past TV Hosts Managed Crisis Moments
In most episodes of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” a curtain is pulled back to reveal the affable host running out to greet his audience in Studio 6B in Rockefeller Plaza (more commonly known as 30 Rock on NBC). Recently, however, a different kind of revelation emerged about the show, and its host, that prompts us to take a closer look behind the curtain.
The Issue: Fallout from the Jimmy Fallon Exposé – NBC and Fallon’s Responses Examined
The Rolling Stone exposé published last Thursday, offered a disturbing look behind the scenes at ‘The Tonight Show,’ where allegations of toxicity, bullying, and intimidation have created a public relations headache for the host and his employer, NBC. With similar accusations that paralleled previous TV hosts whose on-air personas were at odds with their real-life ones, this story was a huge blow to Fallon’s affable image.
The article opens with an anecdote of Fallon acting “especially dismissive and irritable” during production meetings. For those without a paid subscription, it’s the only part of the original content not behind the paywall – an unfortunate glimpse of the damaging tone of the story.
The 48-year-old Fallon has honed a brand as a fun, hip, “life of the party” kind of television host that creates video content for the desirable digital afterlife. In contrast, the article presented the host in a more conflicted light. There were often “good Jimmy days” and “bad Jimmy days” for staff, who often felt they were walking on eggshells.
In the face of serious allegations, such as employees experiencing suicidal ideation due to the work conditions and use of guest dressing rooms as “crying rooms”, the toxic workplace allegations mixed with a significant lack of empathy from higher-ups, including Fallon himself, called for a timely and empathetic response to make the story go away quickly. The responses that followed from Fallon and NBC, however, seem disconnected from the gravity of the issues that were raised, especially in light of the amount of negative press coverage.
The Damage Incurred
In a digital age that favors the juicy bits from negative PR cycles for celebrities, skepticism can easily overshadow anyone who is accused of bad behavior. Reports that cast doubt on a public figure’s character can also cast a shadow over their legacy as well as call into question how they treat employees.
In other words, we’ve been here before.
Industry Precedents: A Pattern Revealed
There’s a pattern emerging in recent talk show crises that goes beyond Jimmy Fallon. Following allegations that spiraled from a 2020 tweet by comedian Kevin T. Porter, setting the stage for significant public scrutiny of private interactions with Ellen DeGeneres.
While DeGeneres didn’t respond to the tweet, the reveal grabbed the public’s attention, and it eventually led to a BuzzfeedNews expose about the toxic work environment at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as well as revealing that the host who built “a multimillion-dollar brand on the motto ‘be kind,’”was far from it. The article quoted unnamed current and former employees saying the show was a place of racism, fear, and intimidation.
Not coincidental because the BuzzfeedNews contributor was Krystie Lee Yandoli. The same person behind the Rolling Stone piece on Fallon.
Rolling Stone also investigated Kelly Clarkson’s “traumatizing” workplace in May 2023, but unlike DeGeneres, the current and former employees interviewed in for the article stated the talk-show host “is fantastic,” but signaled out that it was a number of the show’s producers made who made the “employees’ lives hell.” True to her public persona, Clarkson took to Instagram the next day to reaffirm her commitment to nurturing a safe and nurturing work environment, including leadership training for her staff.
Three news investigations that exposed underlying issues at TV talk shows that perhaps set a precedent for exposing celebrities who leverage false personas for fame.
The writer behind all three stories? Krystie Lee Yandoli.
(Note: “The Kelly Clarkson Show” is in the process of moving from Los Angeles to New York where it will be located across the hall from “The Tonight Show.”)
Other high-profile hosts like James Corden have been hit hard by these kinds of revelations. Keith McNally, the owner of Balthazar in New York City, shared a scathing Instagram post about Corden being rude to his staff. It sparked a backlash, and despite his mea culpa monologue, Cordan’s image suffered and he eventually announced that he was leaving his show. Cordan claimed that his departure was not due to any controversy or scandal. Rather, it seemed to be a personal decision based on his desire to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with his family.
It’s now Fallon’s turn to deal with his own crisis, as NBC’s response seems to fall short given the gravity of the allegations.
NBC and Fallon’s Responses: Missed Mark?
In the wake of the report, NBC responded with what many consider a generic statement, articulating a commitment to “a respectful working environment” yet failing to address the specific allegations in detail. The defense seemed to trivialize the issue, spotlighting that less than 1% of current staff were the voices behind the grievances, a strategy that unfortunately sidelines the severity of the problem rather than addressing it head-on.
Fallon’s apology, however, raised more questions than it answered. Fallon and showrunner Chris Miller held a Zoom call on September 7th to address the allegations, according to unnamed employees.
The problem? Even though Jimmy Fallon apologized privately to his staff, the apology focused on the wrong issue.
Fallon was quoted by unnamed sources in yet another exclusive Rolling Stone story by Yandoli saying he didn’t intend to “create that type of atmosphere for the show.” The employees report that Fallon’s apology was centered on how “bad” he felt and how “embarrassed” he felt.
Fallon allegedly said, “It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad,” and “Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.”
While acknowledging the issues and apologizing to the staff, it falls short of outlining the concrete steps that would be taken to foster a healthier work environment. Fallon’s apology seems like a reactive move of an embarrassed host that lacked the depth required to convince employees that necessary changes would happen at the show.
The problem with Fallon’s apology was that he focused on the lesser of the grievances in order to avoid the real problem. This is what many public figures do, they apologize for the wrong things.
Beneficial Timing: Fallon, Writers Strike, and a News Cycle Distracted by Fresh Scandals
In a serendipitous turn of events, Fallon might be able to avoid addressing the accusations directly because the current writers strike has kept him off the air, effectively preventing him from having to address the accusations during his monologue. However, it’s also happening at a time when Fallon and fellow late-night hosts Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Jimmy Kimmel are in the midst of their collaborative podcast, “Strike Force Five,” a project meant to support their staff amid the strikes.
The most recent episode did not mention the Fallon crisis since it was recorded before the article was published. But luck may be on Jimmy’s side, because it’s possible the group may forge together to help Fallon address the issue, but in the safety of being surrounded by other talk show hosts who can give perspective to the challenges of being a late night host.
One more factor – the media and public were diverted by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s poorly received apology video when it was revealed that they wrote letters on behalf of their friend Danny Masterson, who was convicted of two counts of sexual assault and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
It is possible that Jimmy Fallon had the most perfectly timed PR crisis of recent times.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Redemption
Even if Fallon skirts massive image fallout from the article, NBC executives can still commit to creating an inclusive, respectful, and understanding workplace culture. The same applies to any company or brand faced with toxic workplace allegations. Showing a sincere commitment to growth and change is more effective than weak social media apologies and superficial statements. It requires a proactive approach of looking at the allegations in depth and taking accountability for the problem and making an open commitment to fostering a culture where every individual, irrespective of their role, feels seen, heard, and valued.
Due to the rapid news cycle of today’s social media era, redemption is easier than ever. Your crisis will be over as soon as you atone for your mistake. Respect and empathy are no longer exceptions, but the rule in the workplace. Toxic spaces are exposed. It can be a watershed moment if Fallon takes full responsibility for his actions, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps, especially talk show hosts.
If Fallon fumbles it, then we’ll just sit back and wait until Kristy Lee Yandoli’s next exposé.
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