Former Top Nickelodeon Producer Dan Schneider Apologizes For Asking Female Employees To Give Him Massages & Berating Staff

Dan Schneider, the renowned creator and executive producer of successful Nickelodeon shows such as The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh, responded to claims made about him in the documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

In a 19-minute interview with iCarly‘s BooG!e, Schneider, who parted ways with Nickelodeon in 2018, addressed the allegations reported in the four-part Investigation Discovery series. He expressed remorse for his past behavior and extended apologies to those affected.

Schneider began by acknowledging that he had requested massages from female crew and cast members in the workplace. He recognized the inappropriateness of his actions and stated that he would never engage in such behavior today.

The former showrunner also discussed his temperament in the writers’ room and on set and acknowledged the characterization of his behavior as volatile, antagonistic and inappropriate. He firmly stated that no writer should ever feel uncomfortable in any writers’ room and expressed embarrassment that he participated in inappropriate conversations and practical jokes.

Schneider also addressed the claim that former writers Jenny Kilgen and Christy Stratton were asked to share one salary.

“I have nothing to do with paying writers,” he said. “It’s very simple, there’s a common practice in television when hiring writers if you have a spot for a new writer: sometimes you’ll go to two writers and say, ‘Hey, if you two new writers for your first job are willing to share a salary, you can both have the job.’ They have the opportunity to say ‘Yes, that sounds good’ or ‘No, no thank you.’ In this case, it was two women writers. I’ve done another show where that teaming was done with two male writers and they split a salary, I did another show where it was a male and a female writer and they split a salary.” 

Schneider defended the humor in his shows that has been criticized as inappropriate for children – he asserted that every joke was intended for a kid audience and approved by numerous individuals before it made it to air. However, he expressed willingness to remove any content that upsets people, as he wants his shows to be enjoyed by a wide audience.

Schneider apologized for any uncomfortable situations that young performers experienced on On-Air Dares, a kid-oriented challenge show, but stated that he did not know any kids felt uncomfortable at the time. Schneider emphasized that if he had been aware of their discomfort, he would have made immediate changes.

In response to claims of discomfort felt by black actors on his shows, Schneider highlighted his commitment to diversity and representation. He noted the importance of diversity in his shows and expressed pride in the achievements of black actors who have worked with him and beyond. Schneider emphasized that he holds their success in high regard.

Schneider also clarified his involvement with Drake Bell and Amanda Bynes and stated that he did not have a role in hiring Brian Peck, who was later found guilty of abusing Bell. Regarding Bynes, Schneider recalled a late-night phone call where she was in distress and he took immediate action to ensure her safety.

In light of his experiences, Schneider recommended that productions that employ minors should have a licensed therapist to oversee the process and ensure the well-being of the children and their genuine desire to pursue the job. He emphasized the importance of informed consent and understanding the realities of fame.