Sarah Kobos: 'The Tonight Show' staffer calls out Jimmy Fallon for skipping meeting amid writers’ strike
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: One of Jimmy Fallon's team members ridiculed the comedian's assertion that he fully supports the Hollywood writers' strike. Sarah Kobos disclosed that Fallon was absent from a production meeting to discuss the union's action.
Fallon's absence was noted on Tuesday, May 2, as he was spotted at the Met Gala 2023 in New York City the previous night. Photos show him laughing with supermodels Gigi Hadid and Karen Elson, and hanging out with Jared Leto, which drew criticism towards Fallon's supposed support for the writers' strike. When asked on the red carpet if he backed the strike, Fallon said, "I wouldn't have a show if it wasn't for my writers, I support them all the way."
READ MORE
Gigi Hadid, Jimmy Fallon and Karen Elson at the #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/0WyHNflSkU
— Hadid News (@HadidNews) May 2, 2023
Last night a lot of A-list celebs were asked if they support the writers' strike.
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) May 2, 2023
Jimmy Fallon said, "I wouldn't have a show if it wasn't for my writers, I support them all the way."
Who else supports the strike? Thread. pic.twitter.com/EjlRWiRXd3
Who is Sarah Kobos?
Sarah Kobos is a Senior Photo Research Coordinator at 'Fallon Tonight', and is responsible for ensuring that all visual content used in the show is properly researched and cleared for use. With her previous experience at Wirecutter, BuzzFeed, and ABC, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge in media production to her current role, as per her LinkedIn. Sarah is also an active member of the NewsGuild, a union that represents media professionals across the United States. She has used her organizing skills to advocate for better working conditions and fair pay for her fellow workers. Originally from South Carolina, she now calls Brooklyn home.
'Active employees who aren't paid'
"At a meeting Jimmy wasn't even at, we are told NBC decided to stop paying us after this week and end our health insurance after this month if the strike is ongoing. They won't even tell us if we will technically be furloughed. Just active employees who aren't paid," Sarah tweeted.
At a meeting Jimmy wasn't even at, we are told NBC decided to stop paying us after this week and end our health insurance after this month if the strike is ongoing. They won't even tell us if we will technically be furloughed. Just active employees who aren't paid.
— Sarah Kobos (@skobos) May 2, 2023
"And that we shouldn't vent to coworkers. I should note that I am non-union and not a striking worker - this was to the rest of the staff and crew. I’m told Seth Meyers was in their zoom production meeting and that he is going to try and take care of his staff and crew after NBC stops paying. Steve Higgins is on the picket line with us," she added in a series of follow-up tweets.
I should note that I am non-union and not a striking worker - this was to the rest of the staff and crew
— Sarah Kobos (@skobos) May 2, 2023
'Conan is the king'
The meeting in question was a routine production meeting that Fallon has never been a part of before. In the previous writers' strike that occurred in 2007, Conan O'Brien became well-known for personally covering the wages of 75 members of his team. "Conan is the king, he managed to keep his show SO entertaining during the 2007 writer's strike. BUT, much more impressively: He paid the salaries of nearly 80 staff members whose jobs were idled because of the strike. Out of his own pocket. Man is a legend," tweeted Sarah.
Conan is the king, he managed to keep his show SO entertaining during the 2007 writer's strike.
— Johnny (@Johnny2Cellos) May 2, 2023
BUT, much more impressively: He paid the salaries of nearly 80 staff members whose jobs were idled because of the strike. Out of his own pocket.
Man is a legend. https://t.co/BFuQfNXdpz