The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is bringing in a new — but familiar — head writer.
A.D. Miles, who previously worked on both The Tonight Show and during Fallon’s stint as host of Late Night, is rejoining Tonight. Miles will take over as head writer from Mason Steinberg, who is departing after a year and change in the role.
Miles was the head writer on Late Night from 2009-14 and moved to The Tonight Show with Fallon when the host took over the franchise from Jay Leno. He remained head writer on Tonight until 2017 before departing to work on other projects, including ABC’s Gong Show and the final season of Arrested Development at Netflix.
Miles has also made a number of on-camera appearances on the show, performing as a member of the Ragtime Gals and playing stepdad Gary in the “Ew!” sketches in the early years of the show. He’s also the announcer for the Fallon-produced Password on NBC. As an actor, he’s appeared in Wet Hot American Summer and its two follow-up miniseries, Sherman’s Showcase and the feature Role Models, among other credits.
Miles’ return is the latest behind the scenes change at The Tonight Show, which has cycled through several showrunners and showrunning teams over its run, none lasting longer than a couple of years. Current showrunner Chris Miller joined the show in March 2022.
In September, Fallon apologized to his staff following a Rolling Stone story that detailed allegations of a “toxic” environment at Tonight, including instances of Fallon berating staffers and giving passive-aggressive feedback on their work. “It’s embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends,” Fallon said during a meeting with the show’s staff. “I feel so bad I can’t even tell you.”
Deadline first reported the news.
