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It’s an article about nothing.
Jerry Seinfeld rushed to defend fellow comedian Jimmy Fallon after Rolling Stone published a story Thursday in which two current and 14 former “Tonight Show” staffers accuse the host of fostering a “toxic workplace.”
Seinfeld took specific issue with two employees’ recounting of an “uncomfortable” incident during which Fallon, 48, allegedly publicly “scolded” a crew member who flubbed a simple task while taping a segment with the legendary sitcom star.
The anonymous whistleblowers claimed Seinfeld, 69, ordered Fallon to apologize to the worker — and that Fallon supposedly complied.
“It was very awkward, and Jerry [Seinfeld] was like, ‘You should apologize to him,’ almost trying to make it a joke,” one of the employees told a reporter. “It was one of the strangest moments ever and so many people were there, so it’s kind of hard to forget.”
Rolling Stone claimed Seinfeld’s reps did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but once the story was published, Seinfeld sent them the following statement:
“This is so stupid. I remember this moment quite well… I teased Jimmy about a flub, and we all had a fun laugh about how rarely Jimmy is thrown off. It was not uncomfortable at all. Jimmy and I still occasionally recall it and laugh. Idiotic twisting of events.”
A source with knowledge of “The Tonight Show” also told The Post on Thursday that Rolling Stone’s version of the Seinfeld story is inaccurate.
The Post has contacted reps for Seinfeld, Fallon and NBC for comment.
A source close to the show also told The Post on Thursday that the work environment has significantly shifted over time since new showrunner Chris Miller joined last May.
“He’s brought a renewed enthusiasm and positive energy to the show. Chris prides himself on being available to the staff and a transparent leader. He’s exactly what the show needed.”
Another producer on the show said 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 said.
The Post has previously reported about Fallon’s drinking and partying getting “out of hand” in 2015, and a bartender who served him commented, “He’s a mess.”
Page Six reported in October 2016 that top-ranking NBC execs had warned Fallon to cut back on the alcohol in fear that “he was out of control and something could happen while he’s out drinking.”
NBC told The Post in a statement, “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 behavior inconsistent with our policies to report their concerns so that we may address them accordingly.”
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