Producer of hit Nickelodeon shows claims documentary falsely portrayed him as a child abuser

Dan Schneider, the former producer behind popular Nickelodeon shows like iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, and The Amanda Show, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the producers of the documentary series Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Schneider accuses the documentary of damaging his reputation by falsely suggesting that he was involved in the sexual abuse of children who worked on his shows.

The legal documents argue that while two individuals connected to Nickelodeon shows were convicted of sexual offences, Schneider had no knowledge of their actions, was not complicit, and condemned the abuse when it came to light. The lawsuit insists that the accusations made in the documentary are untrue and have been published with reckless disregard for the truth, all in an effort to boost ratings and attract attention.

Schneider’s legal team asserts that he has never been charged with or convicted of any sexual abuse of children. The lawsuit describes the portrayal of Schneider in the Quiet On Set documentary as a “smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing his legacy and career.

Schneider himself has acknowledged his mistakes as a leader during his time at Nickelodeon, noting poor judgement and moments of bad leadership. However, he firmly rejects the documentary’s portrayal of him as a criminal and a child predator, stating that the series misled viewers and crossed the line by making false and harmful claims.

The legal action, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Brothers Discovery as defendants. Schneider claims that the defamatory statements have caused significant emotional distress and irreparable harm to his personal and professional life. He further notes that the false depiction has led to confusion among friends and colleagues, and has severely impacted his reputation, which he argues will be forever tainted in the eyes of the public.

Schneider, who is credited with launching the careers of major stars like Miranda Cosgrove, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Ariana Grande, is determined to set the record straight. He maintains that while he acknowledges his past mistakes, he is not a criminal and should not be linked to the heinous acts described in the documentary.