[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
The first episodes of Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV have dropped, and they’re a catastrophe for Dan Schneider.
The creator of reveals like iCarly and Zoey 101 was an enormous deal on Nickelodeon within the early 2000s. But was he sufficiently big that his most annoying habits received brushed below the rug? That actually appears to be what the brand new docuseries is suggesting. And it strains up all too properly with what we’ve been listening to about Schneider for years.
In her memoir, Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy wrote concerning the “Creator” coming to her costume fittings in addition to encouraging her to drink. She by no means named him, however Schneider created her reveals. And in 2022, Zoey 101’s Alexa Nikolas mentioned on a 2022 podcast that Schneider sat in on her costume fittings when she was 12. She additionally claimed he continually took pictures of kid stars’ toes. The Amanda Bynes stuff is especially upsetting to consider, particularly contemplating her psychological points as an grownup.
Related: Drake Bell Blasts Boy Meets World Stars For Defending Child Molester!
Again, these weren’t even the primary instances we heard of us whispering about what a creep he was behind the scenes. But generally it takes a documentary like this to put all of it out for everybody to see.
It appears the doc has already had an impact. It’s gotten Schneider to reply! A rep for the Drake and Josh creator has now issued a response on his behalf, telling Variety:
“Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network. 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.”
So his protection is… Because they had been all filmed on mainstream TV and are nonetheless on the market, it’s proof the whole lot behind the scenes was applicable? It kinda seems like he’s responding to the argument the reveals sexualized the youngsters — perhaps as a result of it’s the simpler one to combat? The assertion continued:
“Remember, all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on two coasts. A standards and practices group read and ultimately approved every script, and programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes.”
Eventually he received round to addressing what issues had been like again then:
“In addition, every day on every set, there were always parents and caregivers and their friends watching filming and rehearsals. Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny. Unfortunately, some adults project their adult minds onto kids’ shows, drawing false conclusions about them.”
OK, so what does he must say concerning the particular allegations? Like claims of toes pics? Keeping polaroid pictures from costume fittings?
Nothing, sadly. Apart from attempting to suggest there have been dad and mom or different authority figures round always, he doesn’t do an ideal job of denying what individuals are actually weirded out by. For probably the most half, it’s not what’s on digital camera.
Schneider did reply to 1 explicit drawback a number of staffers recalled on the docuseries. Various crew members claimed they’d typically be requested to therapeutic massage him. Their boss. Again, these are movie crew, not masseuses. So inappropriate. Well, that one Dan can a minimum of admit and apologize for. His staff informed Variety:
“Dan deeply regrets asking anyone for neck massages. Though they happened in public settings, he knows this was highly inappropriate and would never happen again.”
Hmm.
The community was additionally requested concerning the allegations. They too gave a press release, by means of their spokesperson:
“Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct. Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.”
Notice the phrase doing plenty of work there? “All formal complaints.” Formal. The youngster stars who weren’t snug coming ahead then however are saying one thing now? They didn’t file “formal” complaints. It appears to us, on the subject of youngsters’s security, even hints and rumors needs to be investigated.
One extra individual responded to Variety. Russell Hicks, former president of Nick’s content material and manufacturing, sang Schneider’s praises to the outlet:
“Dan’s shows transcend children’s television and are staples on many streaming platforms today, enjoyed by both kids and their parents. Dan cared about the kids on his shows even when sometimes their own families unfortunately did not.”
WTF is that alleged to imply? He wasn’t being inappropriately shut, he was being a surrogate dad or mum? Tell us, do any dad and mom you understand take pics of their youngsters’ toes? He added:
“What people seem to be forgetting is the fact that the network has a talent management department that is keeping tabs on everything that is happening and going to every event these kids go to… Every single thing that Dan ever did on any of his shows was carefully scrutinized and approved by executives at Nickelodeon.”
If somebody accountable was protecting tabs on everybody in each second, then how did Drake Bell find yourself getting molested? Dialogue coach Brian Peck went to jail for that — it’s a matter of authorized reality now, proper? So how did that occur if the whole lot is so strictly monitored?
What do YOU consider all this, Perezcious readers? The subsequent episode of Quiet On Set airs Monday evening.
[Iamge via ID/Nickelodeon/YouTube.]
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