Former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider has recently broken his silence after watching Investigation Discovery's docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The four-part series made claims about toxic workplaces for child actors and crews on Nickelodeon shows that Schneider created and ran. Schneider expressed regret and apologized for his past behaviors, acknowledging that some of his actions were embarrassing and hurtful.
Among the allegations leveled against Schneider were claims of tolerating toxic workplace conditions and mistreating cast and crew members. Schneider admitted to feeling awful and sorry after watching the show and seeing the hurt in people's eyes. He expressed a desire to go back and do a better job, acknowledging that it was never acceptable to mistreat anyone.
Schneider addressed specific allegations and stories of abuse, including the case involving former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a child actor. Schneider claimed he did not hire Peck and expressed devastation upon learning about the incident involving actor Drake Bell.
Reflecting on his career at Nickelodeon, where he created popular shows like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, and iCarly, Schneider acknowledged that some jokes in his scripts crossed a line and should be removed from episodes. He also shared instances where he assisted young actors, such as Amanda Bynes, during challenging times.
Schneider admitted to past mistakes, including being rude and obnoxious, and apologized for his behavior. He expressed regret for asking individuals on set to give him massages and acknowledged that inappropriate jokes and pranks should not have occurred in the writer's room.
Furthermore, Schneider emphasized the importance of treating people with respect and revealed his intention to make changes, such as having licensed therapists on set to support child actors. He expressed remorse for any discomfort or vulnerability young actors may have experienced on his TV sets.
Quiet on Set is now available for streaming on Max, providing viewers with insights into the darker aspects of the children's television industry.
