Jimmy Fallon Faces Challenges as NBC Cuts The Tonight Show to Four Nights a Week

Jimmy Fallon is facing tough times as NBC has cut his show, The Tonight Show, from five nights a week to four. This decision has left him feeling anxious about the future of his program. Despite his contract running until 2028, insiders say his confidence is dwindling.

Since 2019, The Tonight Show has seen a 41% drop in viewership, consistently ranking behind Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. Experts attribute this decline to the growing popularity of streaming services. With the new filming schedule, Fallon’s show is now on the same level as those of his competitors, who also produce four episodes each week.

When Fallon started hosting the show a decade ago, he insisted on five tapings weekly, believing it would pay off. Initially, it did. However, the number of advertisers willing to pay high prices for commercials has decreased, and Fallon has acknowledged this change.

Still, Fallon has a talent for attracting big-name guests like Adam Sandler and Amy Poehler, and he often utilizes his music industry connections to boost ratings. Notably, Billie Eilish has chosen Fallon’s show as her preferred platform for debuting new music.

While the situation isn't dire yet, growing the audience may be challenging with one less hour of original content each week. Lorne Michaels, the show’s producer and a powerful figure in television, will play a key role in navigating these issues.

The challenges for Fallon come just a year after allegations of a "toxic workplace" surfaced. Multiple employees have reported that Fallon’s erratic behavior and occasional inebriation affected their work environment. Following these claims, Fallon apologized to his staff, expressing regret for any embarrassment he caused and reaffirming his commitment to creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere for everyone involved in the show.