Dan Schneider sues Quiet on Set producers for defamation after being accused of ‘sexualizing’ child stars
Dan Schneider has filed a defamation lawsuit against the producers of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The former Nickelodeon creator and producer has been the subject of controversy following a documentary coming out accusing him of 'sexualising' children on set.
Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas came forward in November 2022, alleging Schneider 'always had to be in' her costume fittings and also took pictures of actors' feet.
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iCarly actor Jennette McCurdy also came forward - although not naming anyone specifically - claiming in her memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died that the show's 'creator' shouted at her frequently and forced her to reshoot her first on-screen kiss multiple times.
And an iCarly scene later resurfaced on social media, with many branding it 'uncomfortable', and some even saying they don't think it should've been filmed.
A docuseries diving deeper into the accusations surrounding Schneider, called Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, was simply the cherry on the cake.
Released in March earlier this year, it accused Schneider of a fostering a 'toxic' work environment and 'sexualizing' some of the child actors - and Schneider has since hit back with a defamation lawsuit against the show's producers.
In response to the documentary, a representative for Schneider told UNILAD at the time Dan 'cared about the kids on his shows even when sometimes their own families unfortunately did not' and 'understood what they were going through' acting as 'their biggest champion'.
A representative also told Variety everything in the show was 'carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults'. If there was 'an actual problem with the scenes that some people, now years later are ‘sexualizing,’ they would be taken down, but they are not, they are aired constantly all over the world today still, enjoyed by both kids and parents'.
A defamation lawsuit filed by Schneider's attorneys Jana Moser and Richard McKie yesterday (1 May) in Los Angeles County Superior Court has since slammed the documentary's portrayal of the producer as 'a hit job,' as seen by Variety.
The lawsuit states: "While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself.
"But for the sake of clickbait, ratings, and views - or put differently, money - Defendants have destroyed Schneider’s reputation and legacy through the false statements and implications that Schneider is exactly that."
In an additional statement to UNILAD, Schneider said the documentary 'highlighted mistakes' he made and 'poor judgement' he exhibited during his 'early career'.
He apologised and expressed 'regret' for 'that behavior' and said he'll 'continue to take accountability for it'. However, felt like 'sadly' he had 'no choice' but to take legal action against the documentary and it's 'successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings' going 'beyond reporting the truth'.
Schneider resolved: "I have no objection to anyone highlighting my failures as a boss, but it is wrong to mislead millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators. I owe it to myself, my family, and the many wonderful people involved in making these shows to set the record straight."
The lawsuit has been filed against Warner Bros Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures, as well as the show's two producers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz.
UNILAD has contacted Warner Bros Discovery, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures, Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz for comment.
Topics: Film and TV, US News, Entertainment, Nickelodeon
Poppy Bilderbeck