Dan Schneider Expresses Apology for Past ‘Regretful’ Actions at Nickelodeon
Bollywood Fever, March 20: Dan Schneider, a former producer and writer at Nickelodeon, has issued an apology for his past behavior on the set of the children’s network.
This week, a new documentary titled “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” brought to light allegations of abuse and misconduct on shows such as iCarly and Drake and Josh.
Schneider departed from Nickelodeon in 2018 following a probe that revealed his verbal abuse towards staff.
He recently acknowledged the need to apologize, stating, “I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.”
The documentary, spanning four parts, accuses Schneider of making inappropriate and sexual jokes on set. Jenny Kilgen, a former writer for The Amanda Show, claimed Schneider suggested exchanging a massage for including her sketches in the show.
“He would always present it like a joke… he would be laughing while he said it,” Kilgen recounted. “But it always felt like disagreeing with Dan or standing up for yourself could result in you getting fired.”
Schneider responded to these allegations in a YouTube video, admitting that the documentary made him confront his “embarrassing” actions.
“I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology,” he stated, further apologizing for the inappropriate humor he used in the writers’ room.
“I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation, and even additionally, I apologize to the people who were walking around video village or wherever they happened, because there were lots of people there who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable.”
The documentary also includes Drake Bell’s allegations of sexual abuse by Brian Peck, a dialogue coach who worked closely with Schneider. Peck was sentenced to 16 months in prison in 2004 after a no-contest plea to two counts of child abuse.
Schneider described these revelations as the “darkest part” of his career, expressing his distress over the pain visible in some individuals’ eyes in the documentary.
Nickelodeon has not yet responded to Schneider’s apology. However, in a prior statement regarding the documentary, the network mentioned its inability to “corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago” but emphasized that investigating all formal complaints is standard policy.
“Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children,” the network asserted.
Also Read, Josh Peck Offers Support to Drake Bell Following Abuse Revelations in New Docuseries
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