Landing an Internship at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: A Comprehensive Guide

"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," an iconic American television institution, offers internship opportunities for students eager to gain experience in the fast-paced world of late-night comedy. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, responsibilities, and application process for securing an internship with the show.

The Allure of "The Tonight Show" Internship

Since its debut on February 17, 2014, from Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has captivated audiences with its high-tempo energy, welcoming interview style, audience participation, spot-on impersonations, and innovative sketches. As a long-standing NBC franchise, the show continues the tradition of hosting big-name celebrity guests and top musical and comedic talent, following in the footsteps of legendary hosts like Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.

An internship with "The Tonight Show" provides invaluable knowledge and understanding of what goes into producing a daily late-night comedy show. Interns have the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals and contribute to various aspects of the show's production.

Internship Departments

Interns may be placed in various departments, gaining exposure to different aspects of the show's production:

General Production
Art
Control Room
Costumes
Research
Script
Social Media

Responsibilities and Daily Tasks

Internships may include responsibilities, including general production, script, research, and social media. Daily responsibilities and projects may include a variety of tasks, providing a well-rounded experience. Interns should be eager and excited to take on any task assigned to them.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To be eligible for an internship with "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," candidates must meet specific requirements:

Basic Requirements:

Enrollment: Must be actively enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution during the entire duration of the program. Spring 2026 graduates are not eligible for the Summer 2026 internship program.
Class Standing: Current class standing of sophomore or above (30 credits).
Work Authorization: Must be presently authorized to work for any employer in the United States and must not require work visa sponsorship from NBCUniversal, now or in the future, to retain authorization to work in the United States. For clarification, candidates currently on any student or exchange visa (e.g., F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, J-1, M-1) are not eligible to apply unless they will be able to change or adjust to another status that grants work authorization without NBCUniversal sponsorship.
Availability: Must be available to work 40 hours per week from June 1 - August 7, 2026.
Location: Must be willing to work in New York, NY.
Social Security Number: NBCUniversal is an E-Verify company, requiring all employees to have an active Social Security number. Any candidate receiving an internship offer must complete an I-9 form with their Social Security number within 3 days of hire.

Desired Characteristics:

Class Standing: Students with a class standing of junior or above are preferred.
GPA: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is desired.
Passion: A passion for the television entertainment space is essential.
Interest: A strong interest in the media industry is highly valued.
Skills: The ability to multitask and excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial.
Organization: Must be highly organized.

The Application Process

The NBCUniversal Internship Program seeks curious and passionate trailblazers who are the future of the industry. To thrive as an NBCU intern, applicants should bring their passion for media, entertainment, and technology, along with a desire to learn each day.

Application Deadlines

Spring Internship: Applications typically close in early May. For example, applications for Spring 2021 closed on May 2nd at 11:59 pm ET.
Fall Internship: Applications typically close in late November. For example, applications closed on November 29th at 11:59 pm ET.

Time Commitment

Spring Internship: 16-24 hours per week.
Fall Internship: 32-40 hours per week.

Additional Information

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance to offset expenses for transportation and housing may be available on a needs-based basis for eligible in-person interns.
Equal Opportunity Employer: NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Other NBCUniversal Internship Opportunities

Besides "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," NBCUniversal offers internship opportunities with other late-night shows, including:

"Late Night with Seth Meyers": Home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy, and topical monologue jokes. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian Seth Meyers.
"Saturday Night Live": NBC's Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase, known for its laughs, surprises, and great performances.

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