Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider has filed a defamation lawsuit against the producers of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The producer has claimed that the documentary “irreparably harmed” his reputation and falsely portrayed him as a child abuser.
The five-part docuseries delved into his show’s toxic work environments, and revealed some shocking allegations against him – including emotional abuse and the sexualisation of child actors.
According to the Press Association, the court documents state that although there were people who worked on the network who were later convicted of sexual offences, Dan was not aware of this.
It said he “had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself.”
“But for the sake of clickbait, ratings, and views – or put differently, money – defendants have destroyed Schneider’s reputation and legacy through the false statements and implications that Schneider is exactly that,” the case continued.
“Schneider never sexually abused a child, nor has he been charged or convicted with sexually abusing a child.”
“The trailer and Quiet On Set’s statements and implications to the contrary are both false and made with reckless and malicious disregard for the truth.”
The former Nickelodeon executive said in the case about the producers: “In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted.”
“I have no objection to anyone highlighting my failures as a boss, but it is wrong to mislead millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators.”
After the release of Quiet on Set in March, Dan addressed the allegations against him.
The 58-year-old recounted the sexualized content in series, on-set massages, Drake Bell’s abuse and admitted: “I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.”
Among the allegations levelled at Dan include that he tolerated toxic workplace environments and that he allegedly tormented and humiliated the cast and crew on set.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dan opened up about watching the series and said: “When I watched the show, I could see the hurt in some people’s eyes, and it made me feel awful and regretful and sorry.’
“I wish I could go back, especially to those earlier years of my career, and bring the growth and the experience that I have now and just do a better job and never, ever feel like it was OK to be an asshole to anyone, ever.”
Dan created hit programs like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious and Sam & Cat.
