The world of children’s television has been rocked by allegations of misconduct and abuse directed at former Nickelodeon showrunner and producer, Dan Schneider. The accusations have surfaced in the wake of the investigative docuseries, “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which sheds light on the alleged mistreatment of child stars on Schneider’s shows.
Numerous former child actors have come forward with claims of inappropriate behavior and abuse during their time working with Schneider. These allegations paint a troubling picture of the industry and raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of young performers.
Among those who have spoken out is Chris Massey, a former star of the popular Nickelodeon series “Zoey 101.” However, Massey’s response to the allegations has stirred controversy itself, as his mother publicly expressed support for Schneider via Instagram Stories.
In a surprising turn of events, Angel Massey, Chris Massey’s mother, took to social media to thank Schneider for the opportunities he provided her son. She appeared to dismiss the allegations against Schneider, suggesting that parents should bear responsibility for their children’s experiences on set.
Her comments sparked outrage and disbelief among fans and followers, prompting Chris Massey to address the situation directly. Taking to his own Instagram Stories, Massey asserted his right to share his own experiences and feelings about working with Schneider.
“My story will be told from me… not from a parent, a friend, a coworker… ME!!! and only ME… so please stop messaging me about what my mom said… respectfully,” Massey wrote.
The conflicting responses highlight the complexity of the situation and the challenges of expressing misconduct in the entertainment industry. While some individuals choose to stand by Schneider, others are demanding accountability and justice for the alleged victims.
A clip of Diddy making a cameo in Dan Schneider’s Nickelodeon series, All That, is circulating on social media in the wake of Homeland Security raiding his properties in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday. While Diddy has faced numerous sexual misconduct allegations in recent months, Schneider’s work at the kids network was the focus of the new documentary, Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
When No Jumper shared the cameo on Instagram, Wednesday, fans had plenty of responses. “This ish is crazy…… the sour milk to imitate busting on his face is crazy,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Birds of offenders flock together.” Some users came to Diddy’s defense, such as one who wrote: “Smh they trying to tear this black successful man apart and yall just falling for it.”
TOPSHOT – Homeland Security Investigation agents at the entrance of U.S. producer and musician Sean “Diddy.” Combs’s home at Star Island in Miami Beach on March 25, 2024. Homes belonging to Sean “Diddy.” Combs were being raided by federal agents, media reported on March 25, with the U.S. Hip Hop mogul at the center of sex trafficking and sex assault lawsuits. (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)
A day after the raids, Diddy’s attorney, Aaron Dyer, addressed the situation in a statement. “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” he explained. “There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.” Check out the Nickelodeon appearance below.
Schneider, who is responsible for many hit shows including Zoey 101, AllThat, and The Amanda Show, has faced allegations of fostering a toxic work environment that led to child actors being put in inappropriate sexual situations. He has also denied the accusations. Be on the lookout for further updates on Diddy and Dan Schneider on HotNewHipHop.
Content Warning: This article contains details of child abuse & assault.
On March 17th and 18th, Investigation Discovery released the long-awaited documentary, Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which exposes the once-secret conducts of Dan Schneider, creator and producer at Nickelodeon. Schneider’s name is slapped across many ultra-successful kids TV shows, including Zoey 101, AllThat, and The Amanda Show. He is also responsible for bringing many child actors into the limelight, some of whom remain celebrities to this day. However, beneath the surface of laughter, Schneider was an alleged terror. He was also reportedly behind several heinous crimes, which have long since remained rumors. Now, with the documentary out to the world, here are some of the inappropriate, disgusting things that took place in Schneider’s studio as a result of his actions and inactions. While Schneider has denied the allegations, the people are not buying it one bit.
Show creator/exec. producer Dan Schneider(center) discussing the scene with stars Victoria Justice(left) and Avan Jogia(right). (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
According to Quiet On Set, Dan Schneider went well out of his way to torture the women who worked with him, both young and old. Katrina Johnson, the original child actress from AllThat, worked with him from age 10 to 16. Soon after, all his attention and mentorship were suddenly directed toward the younger Amanda Bynes. Despite just reaching puberty and feeling very self-conscious, Johnson was repeatedly made to wear leotards on set. Worse yet, she was phased out of Nickelodeon once she hit puberty and gained weight. During her interview, she recalled a phone call to her parents where the producers allegedly told them, “She can’t be the fat one. We already have a fat one.”
Another round of allegations came from two female writers who worked with Dan Schneider on The Amanda Show. Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen shared one salary and subjected them to sexist remarks. They alleged he made comments like “women can’t be funny,” or referred to them as “the girls.” Stratton was asked to leave the show after an incident where Schneider ordered her to tell a childhood story while she mimed being sodomized, as the entire room watched. Meanwhile, Kilgen left after he asked her in a room full of her male writer colleagues if she had ever worked as a phone sex worker. Moreover, she worked a 16-week contract for a 27-week show. She worked without a salary for 11 weeks. Kilgen would later sue the company for discrimination, and settle out of court.
Racism
The producer was also remarkably racist with his show ideas. Former child actor Leon Frierson, who was on two seasons of All That recalled the time he was embarrassed by Schneider’s sudden request to take on the role of “Nose Boy,” a character that had Frierson, a Black actor, wearing an enlarged prosthetic nose. The costume also featured black “nose” shoulder pads. Frierson did not speak on how racist the costume was but he did touch on how inappropriately sexual it was. He also spoke about how the costume was immediately recognizable as a giant black penis and testicles. True to Frierson’s claims, “Nose Boy” was a character who liked to sneeze a clear white snot-like substance all over people.
A second racist caricature from Dan Schneider’s time is “Little Fetus,” “the youngest rapper of all time.” This role was given to a younger Bryan Christopher Hearne. Unsurprisingly, this character also required a costume: a flesh-colored skin suit and prosthetics for an extra large head. Hearne also mentioned that someone on the set commented how his skin suit ought to be “charcoal.” During an interview with GMA, Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne both explained how they felt subject to discrimination and racist jokes during their time working with Schneider.
Hearne’s mother, Tracey Brown was also invited to corroborate the claim that Schneider had signed off on racist sketches and stories. Brown continued that she complained so much she began to feel like the odd one out. On a certain occasion, she had to raise an alarm about a scene involving a “young lady” massaging a producer in a scene. There was also a sketch featuring a Black child selling cookies by the side of the road that suggested the apparent innuendo of a Black person peddling drugs.
A Caucus Of Predators
An insane fact about Nickelodeon is that the network employed several convicted child sex offenders. Quiet On Set focused primarily on the victims of the abuses committed by Dan Schneider, as well as Jason Handy and Brian Peck. Handy was found out after he emailed a picture of himself masturbating to a child actor. Furthermore, when he was arrested in 2003, Handy was found in possession of several forms of child pornography: images, videos, and CDs. He also had journal entries where he confessed to being a “pedophile, full-blown.” Disappointingly, Handy was sentenced to only six years in prison after pleading no-contest to his charges.
Brian Peck was embroiled in more shocking confessions from the interviewees. It was revealed that he was a huge-time fan of serial killer clown, John Wayne Gacy, who preyed on men. Peck had a painting, as well as a stash of fan letters and correspondence with the imprisoned Gacy, which he proudly showed off to the children. In 2003, Peck was subsequently arrested on 11 charges of child sexual abuse. He had also victimized a child actor whose identity was concealed as John Doe.
Near the tail end of the documentary, Joe Doe is revealed to be Drake Bell. Peck used his position as Bell’s acting and dialogue coach to detain him at his home and repeatedly assaulted him. He also managed to get Bell to fire his manager and father, Joe Bell. This was so he could have unsupervised access to the actor. Even more disappointingly, however, Peck was sentenced to only 16 months in prison on 2 of the 11 charges. After serving time for his repeated assault of Drake Bell, Brian Peck would go on to work at Disney Channel on The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody.
All of the allegations against Dan Schneider in the Quiet On Set documentary have been very serious. This has led to many wondering how he managed to escape punishment for so long. However, these allegations have been bubbling up for a while. For example, it is important to recall that Schneider only left Nickelodeon in 2018, after he was accused of repeated verbal abuse, which was also underscored by rumors of child abuse and sexploitation. Also, in 2022 former child star Jeanette McCurdy all but confirmed that the rumors were true. In her acclaimed memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, she recalled her dealings with “The Creator.” It didn’t take too long to figure out that the persona was, in fact, Dan Schneider.
In the days after the documentary was aired, Schneider released a 19-minute-long apology video. In it, he claimed all allegations were false. However, he offered little explanation as to how they were untrue. Needless to say, nobody bought it.
Jay Lewis, who starred on Nickelodeon’s Just Jordan for two seasons back in 2007 and 2008, appeared to respond to the litany of allegations brought to light in the new ID docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Taking to Facebook, he remarked that the show was canceled and he wasn’t “giving up no ass.”
Fans shared plenty of support for Lewis when the post made its way to Twitter. “Funny post but also sad peoples successes are stripped away for no reason other than powerful people not being able to have their way with you,” one fan wrote. Another added: “Show didn’t even make it to season 3 & they was already trying to get him to sell out, a damn shame, these producers/directors (& any other adult) behind these kid shows need to be investigated thoroughly, this is sick.” One more wrote: “I loved this show. I’m glad he stood up for himself. Still feel bad for him and the others.”
Dan Schneider Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award At Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: Producer Dan Schneider accepting the Nickelodeon. Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during Nickelodeon’s 27th Annual Kids’ Choice. Awards held at U.S.C. Galen Center on March 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/KCA2014/Getty Images)
A key figure in the docuseries is producer Dan Schneider, who worked on The Amanda Show, All That, iCarly, Victorious, as well as Sam & Cat, and more shows. Schneider released a statement denying any wrongdoing, earlier this week. “Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network. If there was an actual problem with the scenes that some people, now years later are ‘sexualizing,’ they would be taken down, but they are not, they are aired constantly all over the world today still, enjoyed by both kids and parents,” a representative for Schneider said.
Jay Lewis Speaks Out
Jordan Lewis speaks on why Nickelodeon’s ‘Just Jordan’ was cancelled
Dan Schneider has denied allegations about sexualizing young child stars on his Nickelodeon shows in a statement provided to Variety. The response comes as ID’s new docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, dives into the controversial stories about his behavior behind the scenes. Schneider worked on The Amanda Show, All That, iCarly, Victorious, as well as Sam & Cat, and more shows.
“Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network. If there was an actual problem with the scenes that some people, now years later are ‘sexualizing,’ they would be taken down, but they are not, they are aired constantly all over the world today still, enjoyed by both kids and parents,” a representative for Schneider said.
Dan Schneider & Drake Bell Attend Kids’ Choice Awards In Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: Writer/producer Dan Schneider (L) and actor Drake Bell onstage during Nickelodeon’s 27th Annual Kids’ Choice. Awards held at USC Galen Center on March 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/KCA2014/Getty Images)
“Remember, all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on two coasts. A standards and practices group read and ultimately approved every script, and programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes. In addition, every day on every set, there were always parents and caregivers and their friends watching filming and rehearsals. Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny,” the statement further said. “Unfortunately, some adults project their adult minds onto kids’ shows, drawing false conclusions about them.” In recent years, Alexa Nikolas, Jennette McCurdy, as well as Drake Bell, and more former child stars for Nickelodeon have opened up about various cases of wrongdoing at the network.
“Quiet On Set” Investigates Dan Schneider
Check out a trailer for Quiet On Set’s investigation into Schneider’s allegations above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Dan Schneider on HotNewHipHop.
Dan Schneider is a pivotal yet controversial figure in shaping television content for younger audiences. He has amassed a net worth of $20 million by 2024, as reported by Eric Singer. His tenure in the entertainment industry, particularly through creating and producing hit TV shows, has defined a generation’s viewing habits. It also underscored his talent for crafting relatable, engaging content. Further, Schneider’s journey from actor to one of television’s most successful producers illustrates a career marked by creativity and innovation.
The Genesis Of A Television Titan
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 13: Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor and. Dan Schneider at the MTV Summer 2007 TCA Press Tour at the. Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 13, 2007 also in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Film Magic)
Schneider’s foray into entertainment began in front of the camera. Notable roles showcased his comedic timing and versatility as an actor. However, his transition behind the scenes catalyzed his true calling. As the creative force behind a series of successful television shows for Nickelodeon, Schneider revolutionized children’s programming, introducing a new era of teen and family entertainment. His knack for creating humorous and heartfelt content earned him a special place in viewers’ hearts and solidified his reputation in the industry.
Pioneering Content For A New Generation
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Executive producer Dan Schneider, actor Kel Mitchell (top row) actors Benjamin Flores Jr., Cree Cicchino, Madisyn Shipman and Thomas Kuc (bottom row) attend the Apple Store Soho Presents: Meet the Cast: “Nickelodeon’s Game Shakers” at the Apple Store Soho on September 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Eric Vitale/Getty Images)
Throughout his career, Schneider’s contributions have been characterized by a unique blend of humor, empathy, and innovation. Shows like iCarly, Drake & Josh, and Victorious achieved high ratings and shaped the cultural zeitgeist, influencing trends and language among their target demographics. Schneider’s ability to tap into the interests and sensibilities of younger audiences, incorporating elements of social media and internet culture before they became mainstream, set his work apart from traditional children’s programming.
Beyond Success: Challenges & Adaptation
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 04: Actor Josh Peck, writer/producer Dan Schneider and actor Kenan Thompson arrive at Nickelodeon’s exclusive premiere for the upcoming primetime TV event of the summer. “iParty with Victorious,” Saturday, June 4, 2011 at The Lot in Los Angeles. “iParty with Victorious” premieres Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) and stars the casts of Nickelodeon’s hit series iCarly and Victorious. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Despite his significant achievements, Schneider’s career has faced challenges, including controversies and changing dynamics in the entertainment landscape. His ability to adapt and evolve, continuing to explore creative avenues and engage with new platforms, demonstrates resilience and commitment to his craft. Schneider’s journey underscores the complexities of sustaining a career in the fast-paced television industry, marked by remarkable success and the necessity for growth and reinvention.
Dan Schneider’s legacy is built on a foundation of groundbreaking shows and a deep connection with audiences. This highlights his role as a visionary in the industry. Schneider’s path from actor to producer exemplifies the potential for innovation and success in creating content that resonates across generations, leaving a lasting imprint on the landscape of children’s and family entertainment.
(@nojumper)
