Ex-Nickelodeon TV producer Dan Schneider has finally broken his silence following the airing of Investigation Discovery’s revealing docuseries, “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.”
He admitted, “Watching over the past two nights was very difficult— me facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret. I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.”
The documentary series brought to light several allegations against Mr. Schneider, including claims of fostering toxic workplace conditions and mistreatment of cast and crew members on his Nickelodeon shows.
Mr. Schneider acknowledged the pain he witnessed in people’s eyes as he watched the series, expressing remorse for his past actions.
He lamented, “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 (expletive) to anyone, ever.”
One of the most poignant moments in the interview came when Mr. Schneider discussed his interaction with Drake Bell, who revealed himself as the unnamed victim in Brian Peck’s sexual assault case. Mr. Schneider recounted Mr. Bell’s distress and his efforts to support him during the trial, highlighting the devastating impact of the case on both Mr. Bell and himself.
Moreover, Mr. Schneider expressed disbelief at the support Mr. Peck received even after his conviction and questioned the decision of networks, such as Disney, to hire him post-release. “And here’s the kicker that I really don’t get. After [Peck] got out of prison and was a registered sex offender, he was hired on a Disney Channel show. I don’t understand that.”
Throughout the interview, Mr. Schneider reflected on his extensive career, acknowledging past mistakes and expressing sincere remorse for any discomfort or harm caused to those he worked with. He recognized the need for significant changes in how people are treated on set, advocating for the presence of licensed therapists to support child actors and foster a healthier work environment.
In response to questions about inappropriate jokes and pranks, Mr. Schneider accepted full responsibility, emphasizing that no writer should ever feel uncomfortable in a professional setting.
“I want my shows to be popular. I want everyone to like [the shows], the more people who liked the shows, the happier I am. So if there’s anything that needs to be cut because it’s upsetting somebody, let’s cut it,” he said.
“Quiet on Set” continues to garner attention and spark conversations about the treatment of child actors in the entertainment industry. The documentary series is currently available for streaming on Max.
The Epoch Times contacted Mr. Schneider and Nickelodeon for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
