What are the allegations against Dan Schneider, former Nickelodeon producer? A timeline of his controversies as he apologies for past behaviour after the release of new docuseries Quiet on Set

Mar 29 , 2024

What are the allegations against Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider? Photo: Getty Images

In the docuseries released in March, 2 female writers alleged that Schneider showed the staff pornography on his computer and played degrading pranks on employees

Jennette McCurdy wrote about her experiences starring on Schneider’s iCarly and Sam & Cat in her 2022 memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, describing an unnamed, abusive ‘The Creator’

Nickelodeon hit its stride as the go-to place for children’s programming after producer Dan Schneider joined the network in the 90s. But startling allegations over the years have tainted his beloved TV empire.

Schneider, who created popular Nickelodeon shows like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh and iCarly, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny on the heels of the release of Investigation Discovery’s docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

Here’s a complete breakdown of how Schneider’s long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon ended, the allegations made against him, and what he’s said in response.

March 26, 2018: Nickelodeon severs ties with Dan Schneider

Producer Dan Schneider at the Nickelodeon’s 27th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in 2014. Photo: Getty Images

“Following many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities, Nickelodeon and our long-time creative partner Dan Schneider/Schneider’s Bakery have agreed to not extend the current deal,” Nickelodeon and Schneider said in a joint statement to Deadline.

It was a “natural time” to part ways since Schneider’s production company was wrapping up projects, the statement added.

However, Deadline reported that there was more to the story behind Schneider’s departure.

Nickelodeon launched two internal investigations due to concerns about Schneider’s behaviour. After a 2013 investigation, Schneider started giving notes to actors on Sam & Cat from his office instead of directly interacting with them.

Dan Schneider left Nickelodeon in 2018, but reportedly received a US$7 million payout – though the Times reported that it was money owed in his contract. Photo: Getty Images

Still, the producer continued to work with the network and created the series Henry Danger and Game Shakers. But the network launched another investigation into Schneider in 2017 regarding “alleged sexual behaviour” on his sets amid the #MeToo movement in Hollywood. The investigation found no evidence of inappropriate sexual behaviour, but it did find proof of verbal abuse in the workplace.

As detailed by The New York Times in 2021, former colleagues called Schneider temperamental and difficult to work with. Others raised concerns about Schneider asking for massages and messaging the young actors off-set.

According to US media, Schneider received a US$7 million payout when he left Nickelodeon. The Times later reported that the aforementioned money was “still owed in his contract”.