Youngsters tv producer-screenwriter Dan Schneider is suing the producers behind “Quiet on Set: The Darkish Aspect of Youngsters TV,” a docuseries concerning the alleged abuse of kid actors on a number of Nickelodeon reveals.
The swimsuit — the defendants by which embrace Warner Bros. Discovery, Maxine Productions, Sony Footage Tv and others — was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court docket on Wednesday, greater than a month after the docuseries aired on March 17.
“‘Quiet on Set’s’ portrayal of Schneider is a success job,” the lawsuit, which was obtained by JHB, reads. Schneider’s swimsuit seeks monetary compensation and to take away or edit components of the sequence and the trailer.
Schneider, 58, is thought for quite a few Nick hits together with “All That,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” “Drake & Josh,” “The Amanda Present,” “Zoey 101″ and “Kenan and Kel.”
He didn’t seem within the five-part sequence, however a number of former baby actors shared their experiences on the units of a few of these reveals. The sequence additionally confirmed imagery of Schneider cozied up with among the younger feminine actors on set and several other different clips that appeared to indicate younger actresses feeling uncomfortable in his presence.
Topics in “Quiet on Set” additionally described Nickelodeon as a office that was hostile and discriminatory towards ladies. Sources on the present stated that Schneider steadily required the ladies on set to therapeutic massage him.
Nickelodeon reportedly lower ties with Schneider in 2018. The corporate had investigated Schneider for “alleged sexual conduct,” however discovered solely that he had been verbally abusive to staff, in accordance with Enterprise Insider.
“Schneider would be the first to confess that a few of what they stated is true,” the lawsuit reads. “At occasions, he was blind to the ache that a few of his behaviors brought about sure colleagues, subordinates, and forged members. He’ll remorse and atone for this conduct the remainder of his life. However one factor he’s not — and the one factor that can endlessly mar his fame and profession each previous and current — is a toddler sexual abuser.”
Within the sequence, Drake Bell, who starred in Schneider’s “The Amanda Present” and “Drake & Josh,” recounted being sexually abused by Brian Peck, Bell’s dialogue coach.
A number of of the previous baby actors additionally recalled being compelled to take part in scenes that imitate uncomfortable and/or sexual conditions beneath the guise of comedy.
In a press release to JHB, Schneider stated that the sequence “highlighted errors I made and poor judgment I exhibited throughout my time at Nickelodeon. … There isn’t any doubt that I used to be typically a nasty chief. I’m sincerely apologetic and regretful for that conduct, and I’ll proceed to take accountability for it.”
However Schneider and his legal professionals argue the documentary conflates his personal misconduct with the kid sexual abuse detailed by Bell and others.
“Of their profitable try to mislead viewers and enhance rankings, they went past reporting the reality and falsely implied that I used to be concerned in or facilitated horrific crimes for which precise baby predators have been prosecuted and convicted,” he continued. “I’ve no objection to anybody highlighting my failures as a boss, however it’s improper to mislead tens of millions of individuals to the false conclusion that I used to be in any means concerned in heinous acts like these dedicated by baby predators.”
Need assistance? Go to RAINN’s Nationwide Sexual Assault On-line Hotline or the Nationwide Sexual Violence Useful resource Heart’s web site.