Ex-Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider has responded to accusations of inappropriate behavior following the release of the docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV." The series, which aired Sunday and Monday night, made allegations against Schneider, known for producing shows like "The Amanda Show," "Victorious," and "Drake and Josh."
In an interview on his YouTube page with "iCarly" actor BooG!e, Schneider admitted it was tough to watch all four episodes of the Investigation Discovery special. He acknowledged past behaviors that he now regrets and expressed a willingness to apologize to those affected.
One of the accusations against Schneider was his inclusion of sexually suggestive jokes in children's shows. He stated that if viewers found those jokes inappropriate, he supported removing them from his shows. Schneider emphasized that the jokes were initially intended to be funny for a kid audience.
Regarding his level of control over show content, Schneider clarified that there were multiple levels of scrutiny, including executives, crewmembers, parents, and other adults on set who could raise objections. Despite the documentary portraying him as vindictive and volatile, Schneider maintained that he did not have complete control over the content.
Schneider also addressed accusations of mistreatment towards female writers, explaining that he was not involved in determining their salaries. He admitted it was wrong to ask for massages on set and apologized to anyone who felt uncomfortable in that situation.
Additionally, Schneider denied responsibility for hiring Brian Peck, a dialogue coach convicted of child sex abuse. He expressed devastation upon learning about the assault on actor Drake Bell, who revealed his experience with Peck on "The Amanda Show."
Former "Zoey 101" actor Alexa Nikolas, a vocal critic of Schneider, criticized his public response, stating she would have preferred a private apology. She expressed doubt about Schneider's remorse, noting his lack of visible emotion during the interview.
In response to the allegations, a Nickelodeon spokesperson stated the network investigates all formal complaints to maintain a safe and professional workplace environment. They emphasized Nickelodeon's commitment to the well-being of their employees, casts, crew, and audience, and highlighted the implementation of safeguards to uphold their standards.
Both Nickelodeon and CBS News are owned by Paramount Global.
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