In a move that promises to shed light on a controversial chapter in the history of children’s television, Investigation Discovery (ID) has announced the production of a new four-part documentary focusing on Dan Schneider, the prolific creator behind many beloved Nickelodeon shows, and the allegations of a toxic work environment that have surrounded him for years. Titled Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, the 4-part series aims to delve deep into the allegations and provide a platform for Nickelodeon alums to share their experiences.
Schneider, whose credits include hit shows such as All That, The Amanda Show, and iCarly, was a dominant force in children’s television throughout the 1990s and 2000s. However, his tenure at Nickelodeon was marred by persistent rumors and allegations of inappropriate behavior and a toxic work environment behind the scenes.
In the trailer for Investigation Discovery’s Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, former employees of the network level allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics between crew and underage stars while they were on the set of shows from the embattled creator.
“Working for Dan was like being in an abusive relationship,” a former employee alleges in the trailer, while another claims that Schneider’s “treatment of people on his shows was an open secret.”
In her best-selling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, iCarly star Jennette McCurdy detailed allegations against a Nickelodeon creator, claiming that the creator pressured her to drink alcohol while underage and gave her massages, in addition to other instances of inappropriate behavior. She did not, however, identify the creator in question.
Nickelodeon and Schneider, a former child actor turned producer, parted ways in mid-2018 after a 25-year working relationship. The decision to not extend Schneider’s deal at the studio also followed an investigation by then-parent ViacomCBS that claimed abusive behavior by the prolific TV creator toward people he worked with on set.
“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,” the Viacom-owned cable network said in a statement at the time.
A representative for Dan Schneider responded to the Quiet on Set documentary with the following statement:
“Dan cared about the kids on his shows even when sometimes their own families unfortunately did not. He understood what they were going through and he was their biggest champion. The fact is many of the kids on these shows are put in the untenable position of becoming the breadwinner for their family and the pressure that comes along with that. Add on top of that the difficulties of growing up and having to do so under the spotlight while working a demanding job, all as a child. That is why there are many levels of standards, executives, lawyers, teachers and parents everywhere, all the time, on every set, every day. However, it is still a hard place to be a kid and nobody knew that better than Dan.”
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is set to air on March 17th as a 2-night event.
