Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider apologises after claims of abuse and inappropriate behaivour

Dan Schneider has expressed remorse for his unsuitable conduct while working on Nickelodeon productions.

The past producer of famous TV series like Drake and Josh, iCarly, Victorious, and The Amanda Show departed Nickelodeon in 2018.

During the weekend, a number of performers, crew members, and previous child performers came forward with accusations of mistreatment, unbecoming conduct, and a hazardous workplace atmosphere during their work on Schneider's television programs, as detailed in the documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

He created a video that was uploaded on YouTube earlier this week and shared that he found the docuseries to be challenging and shameful to view.

Schneider expressed that he is confronting his past conduct, which include shameful actions that cause him remorse. He acknowledges that he owes some individuals a sincere and powerful apology.

Jenny Kilgen, a previous writer for The Amanda Show, mentioned in Quiet on Set that Schneider used to make improper sexual comments while on the set. She further stated that he even requested her for a massage.

In his video, he admitted that what he did was not right and expressed his remorse. He also conveyed his sincere apology to anyone who may have been affected by his actions. He even extended his apology to those who were present in the video village or its surroundings as they might have felt uneasy witnessing his behavior.

According to Schneider, he suggested that any content or jokes that may raise concern in the shows he created ought to be removed. He further added that all jokes were originally intended for a younger audience as they found them amusing.

Currently, there are grown-ups revisiting memories from two decades ago using their own perspectives. I do not object to this. However, I suggest removing any comedic instances from the production.

Schneider stated again that his programs go through various levels of examination. Several executives from the network endorse the content and appearance of his shows, and numerous grown-ups are present on location but never questioned anything.

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The celebrity Drake Bell, who rose to fame on the TV show Drake and Josh, made serious accusations during an interview on Quiet on Set. Bell claimed that when he was a young actor at Nickelodeon, he was a victim of sexual abuse by Brian Peck, a former coach who worked on the show.

Someone speaking on behalf of Peck did not reply to NBC News' inquiry regarding Bell's accusations in the documentary series when questioned by Sky News.

Peck entered a plea of “no contest” and was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a child aged 14 or 15. He was also convicted of performing oral sex with a minor under 16 years old as outlined in the case summary provided by the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Peck received a prison term of 16 months. Bell revealed in Quiet on Set that Schenider had been there for him.

When questioned about the accusations of abuse by Bell, Schneider became overwhelmed with emotion and expressed that he was not the one who appointed Peck. He also referred to it as the "most distressing moment" in his professional life.

During June of this year, Bell admitted guilt in a legal matter that revolved around an attempt to endanger a child. This accusation stemmed from an occurrence that took place online four years prior, which involved a fan who was 15 years old at the time.

He received a punishment of two years probation and was required to perform 200 hours of community service.

A representative from Nickelodeon previously stated in regards to the show's allegations: "While we cannot confirm or deny alleged behaviors from past productions, it is our policy at Nickelodeon to thoroughly investigate all formal complaints to ensure a safe and professional work environment, free from any form of harassment or inappropriate behavior."

The most important things for us are the health and happiness of everyone involved in our work, including our staff, performers, and production team, as well as all kids who watch our content. We've put many measures in place to make sure we meet our own standards and the expectations of our viewers.

In 2021, The New York Times stated that Nickelodeon stopped working with Schneider. This was due to an internal examination, which discovered proof of Schneider verbally mistreating colleagues. However, there was no evidence of sexual misconduct found during the investigation.

Following Schneider's video reply, a representative spoke out about the investigation and stated, "The only thing discovered was that he was difficult, strict, and required a lot from those he worked with, nothing more."

Sky News reached out to Dan Schneider's agents and Nickelodeon for a statement.