Dan Schneider Sues Quiet On Set Producers Over Horrendous Allegations During Nickelodeon Leadership

The legal team representing the former television creator, who is actually featured in the docuseries that released this March, claims that the filmmakers behind the docuseries have falsely stated or implied that Dan Schneider sexually abused the children who worked on his television shows.

More specifically, the lawsuit is aimed at filmmakers Emma Schwartz, Mary Robertson, Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc., Maxine Productions, and Sony Pictures Television Inc.

In his complaint, Schneider, who is known for his work on Zoey 101, iCarly, and Drake & Josh, outlines parts of the docuseries in which he was allegedly defamed, as those apparently double down on the implications that he’s a child abuser. He adds that the docuseries’ trailer also draws false conclusions.

Dan Schneider continues to claim that the series is falsely accusing him as a perpetrator of alleged child abuse that has happened on his shows at Nickelodeon in its heyday for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted.

Furthermore, Dan Schneider’s lawsuit also claims that two of the docuseries episodes imply that he was also a convicted felon and child sexual abuser, linking him to other individuals accused of similar crimes.

For example, former dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was arrested in 2003, and charged with 11 counts, include sexual abuse of a minor.

The suit also claims that the filmmakers used Schneider’s image to conflate his actions with those of convicted sex offenders, saying that those actions are false and made with reckless and malicious disregard for the truth.

Dan Schneider did, however, admit that the docuseries highlights some of the mistakes he made and the poor judgment he exhibited during his time at Nickelodeon—which was relatively early in his career as a producer—particularly the mistreatment of colleagues, subordinates, and cast members.

While apologetic about his behavior, Schneider insists that his actions weren’t in any way connected to child sex abuse.

To provide more context, Nickelodeon parted ways with Dan Schneider in March 2018 due to numerous complaints regarding his behavior—particularly the well-documented temper issues he displayed over the years.

Additional reports surfaced regarding his social media activities, which often involved pictures of the feet of the young actresses who worked for him and the solicitation of said photos over social media under the guise of a contest using an official Sam & Cat Twitter account.  

Internal investigations conducted by ViacomCBS found evidence of Dan Schneider verbally abusing his colleagues via phone and angry emails but concluded that there was no evidence of any sexual misconduct.

Schneider also denied any accusations related to child abuse, stating that parents of young stars are often present on set, often scrutinizing his work. Former Nickelodeon star Madisyn Shipman, supported Dan Schneider’s lawsuit, stating that he has nothing but positive things to say about the man, based on her experience on set.

Source: TMZ