Dan Schneider is chargeable for a few of Nickelodeon’s hottest exhibits. After beginning his profession in supporting onscreen roles in “Better Off Dead” and “Head of the Class,” he started writing and producing the sketch comedy present “All That” in 1993 and finally left to run “The Amanda Show” starring Amanda Bynes. He went on to launch “Drake & Josh” in 2004, adopted by “Zoey 101,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” “Sam & Cat,” “Henry Danger,” and “Game Shakers,” amongst others.
But in March 2018, his massively profitable tenure on the community ended all of a sudden. A joint assertion from Nickelodeon and Schneider learn, “Following many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities, Nickelodeon and our longtime creative partner Dan Schneider/Schneider’s Bakery have agreed to not extend the current deal,” per The New York Times. “Since several Schneider’s Bakery projects are wrapping up, both sides agreed that this is a natural time for Nickelodeon and Schneider’s Bakery to pursue other opportunities and projects.”
From the beginning, Schneider’s departure from the community was shrouded in allegations relating to his on-set conduct. In a March 2018 story in regards to the exit, Deadline reported that it had heard “multiple complaints of abusive behavior against Schneider filed by members of his staff.” It additionally famous that “for years, Schneider had been under a cloud of suspicion over the treatment of some younger stars of his shows. Among the things that have raised eyebrows are his tweeted photos of the toes of his young female stars.”
Over the years, complaints in opposition to Schneider have continued to floor, and in an Aug. 30, 2022, investigation by Insider, individuals who labored with Schneider got here ahead with claims that the younger stars have been sexualized. Daniella Monet, who starred in “Victorious,” alleged that she felt sure scenes within the present have been too sexual, reminiscent of a scene the place she utilized lip gloss whereas consuming a pickle. She additionally advised the outlet that she felt most of the solid’s outfits have been too sexual. Two nameless sources apparently advised the outlet that Schneider usually fought for extra revealing outfits throughout behind-the-scenes debates about costumes. Sources additionally alleged that Schneider had younger stars sit on his lap and steadily texted them outdoors of labor.
Sources near Schneider denied that something inappropriate occurred. “Dan always had a rule for himself when texting anyone under age 18. That rule was text like their parents and the whole world are reading, too,” one mentioned, including that costumes “were seen and approved by dozens of people, including the parents of the actors, and the state-licensed teachers on set.”
The Schneider supply acknowledged that he had requested for massages, and mentioned that he “regrets ever asking anyone and agrees it was not appropriate, even though it only happened in public settings.” A consultant for Schneider didn’t instantly reply to POPSUGAR’s request for remark in regards to the allegations.
Long earlier than the Insider article, followers have been doing their very own sleuthing on Schneider. Dozens of movies highlighting Schneider’s “creepiest” moments may be discovered on YouTube and unsubstantiated rumors additionally seem on numerous message boards and boards stretching at the very least way back to 2011. Fans have additionally created compilations of photographs of ft from numerous Schneider-led exhibits, accusing him of getting a foot fetish which he exploited in his exhibits and zeroing in on a 2013 tweet from the official “Sam & Cat” account requesting that followers ship pictures of their ft into the community.
In his 2021 interview with The New York Times, Schneider denied any sort of sexual misconduct throughout his time on the community. “The comedy,” he mentioned, “was totally innocent.”
The Times piece additionally revealed that previous to saying his departure, Schneider had been investigated by ViacomCBS, Nickelodeon’s dad or mum firm. The investigation didn’t discover proof of sexual misconduct, nevertheless it concluded that “many people he worked with viewed him as verbally abusive,” the outlet reported, including that “some former colleagues, in recent interviews, said they found him a controlling, difficult showrunner, prone to tantrums and angry emails — a man with a delicate ego who made some staff members feel as though they were always walking on eggshells. Several said they felt uncomfortable when he frequently asked an employee from the costume department for shoulder and neck massages, or texted child actors outside of work hours.”
The Times additionally reported that through the filming of “Victorious,” Victoria Justice’s locker was full of pictures of younger males — together with a shot of a younger Schneider — alongside with the phrases “that’s hot” and “dudealicious.” However, within the interview, Schneider blamed the locker’s design on the artwork division, and attributed his depth and work ethic to his ambition.
Earlier in 2022, dialogue about Schneider started to swirl as soon as once more when Jennette McCurdy — who performs Sam on the Schneider-helmed “iCarly” and the spinoff, “Sam & Cat” — talked about an unnamed “Creator” in her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” which was revealed on Aug. 9, 2022. McCurdy by no means talked about Schneider by identify, however alleged that this aforementioned “Creator” pressured her into consuming alcohol after she initially mentioned no and in addition mentioned he gave her an undesirable therapeutic massage. “My shoulders do have a lot of knots in them, but I don’t want The Creator to be the one rubbing them out,” she wrote. “I want to say something, to tell him to stop, but I’m so scared of offending him.”
She additionally wrote that the “Creator” left the community after “allegations of emotional abuse,” which she says have been “a long time coming.” Describing the “Creator” as “mean-spirited, terrifying, and controlling,” she alleges that he obtained away along with his conduct as a consequence of his place of energy.
On Aug. 25, 2022, “Zoey 101” star Alexa Nikolas stood outdoors Nick’s Burbank headquarters with round 20 protestors, per Rolling Stone, holding an indication that learn “Nickelodeon Didn’t Protect Me.” “I did not feel protected at Nickelodeon as a child, personally,” Nikolas mentioned in an Instagram Live video. “I’m demanding that Nickelodeon starts protecting children and not predators.” She known as out Schneider by identify, referring to him as “the creator of childhood trauma,” and saying that she “didn’t feel safe” round him. “Every time he came on set, my body got extremely tense,” she mentioned. “Later on in season two, him and a bunch of executives made me cry in a room alone. I don’t think any child should have to experience anything like that, especially when it’s coming from people that are supposed to be looking out for the kids on set.” Five days after her protest, the Insider investigation was revealed.
In January, information broke that Jamie Lynn Spears and different “Zoey 101” solid members can be returning for a film sequel, although Schneider doesn’t seem to have any involvement within the movie, per Collider. Shortly after the undertaking was introduced, Nikolas responded with a number of scathing tweets.
Reps for Schneider and Nickelodeon didn’t instantly reply to POPSUGAR’s request for remark in regards to the allegations.
In 2021, Schneider advised The New York Times that he’s engaged on a number of tasks and has bought an “ambitious and very different” pilot to an unnamed community — this one meant extra for adults.
