Jimmy Fallon is one of the most popular late night talk show hosts on television today. As the host of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon since 2014, he has garnered a large fanbase with his funny skits, viral segments, and comedic interviews with A-list celebrities.
However, despite his success, Fallon has also drawn criticism from some viewers over the years. Here is an in-depth exploration of some of the most common reasons why people dislike Jimmy Fallon.
What are the Main Criticisms Against Jimmy Fallon?
Fallon generates strong opinions on both sides – while he has many loyal fans, he also has a number of detractors. Here are some of the top complaints that critics have about Jimmy Fallon:
Breaks Character Too Much
One of the biggest critiques of Fallon is that he often breaks character and laughs too much during SNL-style sketch comedy bits on his show. While some find this endearing or humorous, his excessive giggling and cracking up comes across as unprofessional to others.
Interviews Lack Substance
Another common criticism is that Jimmy’s interviews with guests lack depth and instead focus too heavily on games, bits, and entertainment rather than insightful questions. Some find his style overly playful and lighthearted even with more serious guests or during weightier conversations.
Too Enthusiastic/Over the Top
For some viewers, Jimmy’s exaggerated enthusiasm and exuberance come across as inauthentic, cloying, or annoying – especially when participating in silly games or segments. His critics argue he takes an over-the-top approach meant to garner viral attention rather than conduct a substantial talk show.
Why Do Viewers Dislike His Comedic Style?
While humor is subjective, Jimmy Fallon’s particular comedic stylings provoke especially split opinions from audiences. Here are two of the reasons why some take issue with his comedy approach:
Reuses Recurring Bits Too Much
Jimmy relies heavily on a number of repeat bits like “Ew!”, “Lip Sync Battle”, and “Box of Lies” rather than coming up with fresh comedic ideas. Relying too much on these recurring segments causes criticism that the show lacks originality or new creative elements.
Not Edgy Enough Humor
Compared to other late night hosts like Stephen Colbert or John Oliver known for bitingly sarcastic political humor, Jimmy Fallon’s comedy tends to be much broader, sillier, and tamer. For viewers wanting sharper, more penetrating satire or stand-up, Fallon’s low-risk style fails to land.
Do People Take Issue with His Time on SNL?
While Jimmy Fallon generated plenty of laughs during his six years on Saturday Night Live from 1998 to 2004, he nevertheless acquired some detractors of his performance on the famed sketch comedy show.
He Was a Serial Scene-Breaker
Fallon built a reputation as the cast member most likely to break character and laugh during SNL skits, ruining momentum or sidetracking parts written for bigger laughs. While Lorne Michaels tolerated it, critics saw it as Jimmy putting his ego ahead of the sketch comedy.
Didn’t Take Risks Like Other Stand-Out Cast Members
Unlike other oft-remembered SNL comedians like Will Ferrell, Jimmy shied away from edgier characters or concepts outside his comfort zone. By playing it comparatively safe, critics feel opportunities escaped him to create his era’s most transcendent or impactful moments.
Do Industry Insiders Have a Bone to Pick with Fallon?
Behind the scenes, a number of fellow comedians or talk show hosts hold certain grudges or resent Jimmy’s rapid rise through the ranks. Here are some of the rivalries or perceived slights that exist:
Joan Rivers Blamed Him for Not Getting the Late Night Gig
Veteran comedian Joan Rivers famously believed she was Johnny Carson’s heir apparent to host the Tonight Show prior to Jay Leno’s selection. When NBC later chose Jimmy Fallon, she directed ire at him for essentially taking “her spot”.
Caught Flack for Reviving Jay Leno’s Old Segments
After Leno was forcibly retired from Tonight, Jimmy brought back popular Jay-era segments like “Headlines” early on. For critics of Jay’s ousting, it came across as Fallon adding insult to injury.
Some Dislike Jimmy Besting Them for Airtime or Ratings
Industry jealousy creeps in as well – Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert deliver more highbrow humor to smaller niche audiences. With Jimmy more unabashedly chasing mainstream viral success, critics see it as style winning out over substance.
Are There Political or Social Reasons People Dislike Him?
Beyond pure entertainment value debates, Jimmy Fallon also receives scorn for perceived political bias or questionable guest decisions that land differently in the polarized social media age.
Refrains from Hard-Hitting Political Commentary
Late night now traffics heavily in mocking politicians or social issues for young progressive audiences. Jimmy catches flack for non-controversial stances and not predominantly using his platform to criticize conservative targets.
He Was Perceived as Too Soft on Donald Trump
In 2016 when candidate Trump appeared on Tonight, Jimmy playfully tousled his hair instead of asking tough questions. Critics slammed the cutesy normalization of someone with controversial stances rather than exposing them.
The infamous Trump hair incident crystallizes the divide on Jimmy Fallon – while supporters find his non-confrontational style refreshing, detractors condemn the refusal to hold feet to the fire.
Do Ratings Declines Signal Waning Popularity?
In recent years as Jimmy’s novelty has worn off, his ratings have gradually dipped allowing Stephen Colbert to overtake him as late night’s top-rated show. Here is a look at some of troubling numbers indicating his fading popularity:
| Year | Tonight Show Viewership |
| 2015 | 3.7 million nightly viewers |
| 2018 | 2.4 million viewers |
| 2022 | 1.5 million viewers |
While still relatively popular compared to competitors, the falling viewership signals fans tiring of his formula or defecting to newer personalities. The game-heavy format or recycling old concepts may need freshening up.
Trails Rivals in the 18-49 Demo
Advertisers covet younger viewers – on that front Jimmy also lags as Colbert and Kimmel attract bigger crowds in the key 18-49 age bracket that fuels ad rates and decisions. This jeopardizes long term relevance.
Viral Clips Increased While Broader Audience Shrank
There is also evidence that while individual bits still resound online, the ability to sustain audience loyalty over the course of an hour has dropped. Viewers consume content in micro-doses rather than full episodes.
So online sharing only disguises Loyal fans drifting away for other options – perhaps those offering concentration-length shows offering an edgier, more consistent experience versus piecemeal viral hits.
Will Jimmy Fallon Bounce Back in the Public’s Eyes?
Despite detractors piling on and ratings dropping the past few years, don’t expect Jimmy Fallon to go anywhere soon. Here are some reasons why he likely remains on solid ground:
Tonight Show Remains Profitable for NBCUniversal
At the end of the day broadcast television is also a business – and while Jimmy has ceded late night pole position ratings-wise, ad revenue remains strong especially for Tonight’s digital platforms. Until it takes a major financial hit, corporate overlords stay pleased.
Appoints Strong Guest Hosts While Out
To allow periodic breaks from the daily grind, Jimmy has recruited well-liked figures like Ariana Grande or Dave Chappelle to spell him for episodes. This keeps audiences primed for his eventual return rather than permanently tuning him out.
Adapting with More Digital Content Plays to Strengths
While traditional ratings fall, Jimmy’s YouTube presence actually exceeds competitors for crown jewels like Tonight’s infamous Lip Sync Battles. Catering to mobile-first Gen Z habits plays better to his skill set versus other hosts still broadcast-dependent.
Mainstream Appeal Still Draws A-List Guests and Clout
Despite some tarnishing over time, Jimmy’s likable reputation continues enticing superstar names other shows would kill for. Until celebs shy away from his hot seat, public relevance won’t vanish. Big names willingly making fools of themselves out of genuine affection for Jimmy speaks volumes.
Conclusion
Jimmy Fallon clearly provokes polarized reactions – beloved by mainstream NBC and many casual viewers while simultaneously scorned by certain comedy aficionados and industry peers either resentful or underwhelmed by his approach.
His refusal to engage in partisan commentary or preference for bubblegum-flavored fun over sharp satire leaves some feeling his influence is light or out-of-step with other bolder voices.
And signs of viewer erosion in an era providing infinite options signal weaknesses translating day-to-day consistency versus one-off viral brilliance.
Nevertheless, counting Fallon completely out given his talent assembling pop culture moments plus loyal Gen-Z digital following seems equally foolish. Adapting segments for new platforms shows recognition that yesterday’s formulas require tweaking, not abandonment.
Perhaps most telling, Hollywood still happily answers Jimmy’s call indicating the door remains open. Until Leo DiCaprio refuses a Water War Challenge or Taylor Swift declines to march out in matching onesies, assume reports of his demise premature.
The Tonight Show crown may now be slipping. But King Fallon retains enough in the coffers and up his jestering sleeve to forestall outright overthrow.
FAQs
Does he drink too much?
Jimmy’s well-known fondness for alcohol-based comedy bits or public intoxication has rubbed some detractors the wrong way. They feel it sends the wrong message especially to younger viewers or reveals underlying drinking issues he tries laughing off instead of taking seriously enough.
Does Fallon self-promote too much on the show?
Some detractors feel that Jimmy spends an excessive amount of time shilling and finding excuses to showcase his own viral popular segments like Classroom Instruments performances or Tonight Show Hashtags. They see it as vain self-promotion at the expense of guests.
Is he too obsessed with looking upbeat and happy?
Given the emotional range in his monologues seems limited primarily to cheerful or snickering regardless of actual mood, critics argue his bubbly disposition seems manufactured and inauthentic. Constantly upbeat personas tend to alienate or annoy a subsection of viewers.
Does his fanbase consist mostly of teenage girls?
There is a perception, rightly or wrongly, that Jimmy Fallon’s primary viewership skews younger and more female based on audience shots of tweens and teens screaming at musical performances. Some therefore dismiss his broader cultural relevance beyond narrow demographics.
Did he get special treatment early in his career due to connections?
As the son of IBM executives and former college classmates with Dennis McNicholas, one of the first SNL head writers to hire him, Jimmy benefited from an elite network providing early breaks others lacked. Detractors therefore resent that insider nepotism fast-tracked success over harder working newcomers.