Dan Schneider, the previous creator and showrunner of Nickelodeon sequence “All That,” “iCarly,” and “Zoey 101,” is suing the producers of the hit documentary sequence “Quiet on Set.” IndieWire has obtained the lawsuit.
Schneider says his portrayal within the Investigation Discovery sequence, which peels the layers again on alleged youngster abuse — together with, in some instances, sexual abuse — on Nickelodeon sequence of the period, is a “hit job” and that his fame has been “destroyed” by the recognition of the sequence. The swimsuit names Warner Bros. Discovery, Maxine Productions, Sony Footage Tv, and administrators Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz.
“‘Quiet on Set’s’ portrayal of Schneider is successful job,” the lawsuit from Schneider’s attorneys Jana Moser and Richard McKie reads. “Whereas it’s indeniable that two bona fide youngster sexual abusers labored on Nickelodeon exhibits, it’s likewise indeniable that Schneider had no data of their abuse, was not complicit within the abuse, condemned the abuse as soon as it was found and, critically, was not a baby sexual abuser himself. However for the sake of clickbait, scores, and views — or put otherwise, cash — Defendants have destroyed Schneider’s fame and legacy by the false statements and implications that Schneider is precisely that.”
The primary of these two “bona fide youngster sexual abusers” is dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was convicted of sexually assaulting an nameless sufferer again in 2004. The sequence reveals in its third episode that “Drake & Josh” and “The Amanda Present” star Drake Bell was the nameless sufferer. The opposite convicted youngster sexual abuser mentioned within the docuseries is manufacturing assistant Jason Useful, who despatched inappropriate emails to underage actors who appeared on Nickelodeon sequence. Useful was convicted on youngster sexual exploitation costs in 2004, registered as a intercourse offender after his launch in 2009, and was once more arrested in 2014.
It continues, saying that he was “blind” to the worst abuses and can atone for his habits.
“Little question Defendants will attempt to obfuscate what this lawsuit is about by pointing to what they did get proper — and Schneider would be the first to confess that a few of what they mentioned is true,” it reads. “At instances, he was blind to the ache a few of his behaviors induced sure colleagues, subordinates, and solid members. He’ll remorse and atone for his habits the remainder of his life. However one factor he’s not — and the one factor that can eternally mar his fame and profession each previous and current — is a baby sexual abuser.”
Schneider’s lawsuit is searching for compensatory damages, together with the potential lack of future earnings, in addition to punitive damages, and authorized charges. The swimsuit additional seeks injunctive aid — basically the removing of the sequence from its varied platforms.
“Quiet on Set” options interviews with former youngster stars, writers, and crew members on Schneider’s Nickelodeon exhibits who throughout the five-episode sequence have accused Schneider of fostering a poisonous work surroundings and sexualizing youngster stars. The sequence has develop into the most-watched streaming title in Max’s historical past.
After the sequence first aired, Schneider responded to the accusations in a video and likewise issued a press release to press, saying partially that the sequence highlighted his errors at Nickelodeon and hinting that authorized motion in opposition to the producers could be a risk.
“There isn’t a doubt that I used to be generally a foul chief,” Schneider wrote. “I’m sincerely apologetic and regretful for that habits, and I’ll proceed to take accountability for it. Nevertheless, after seeing ‘Quiet on Set’ and its trailer, and the reactions to them, I sadly don’t have any selection however to take authorized motion in opposition to the folks behind it. Of their profitable try to mislead viewers and improve scores, they went past reporting the reality and falsely implied that I used to be concerned in or facilitated horrific crimes for which precise youngster predators have been prosecuted and convicted.”
He continued: “I’ve no objection to anybody highlighting my failures as a boss, however it’s mistaken to mislead thousands and thousands of individuals to the false conclusion that I used to be in any means concerned in heinous acts like these dedicated by youngster predators. I owe it to myself, my household, and the numerous fantastic folks concerned in making these exhibits to set the report straight.”
“Quiet on Set” has been a lightning rod for different debate, with a few of the topics, like former Nickelodeon game-show host Marc Summers claiming the producers did a “bait and swap” on him when it comes to the intentions of the documentary. Administrators Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz later responded to the claims and denied Summers was ambushed, saying “We’re clear with every participant in regards to the nature of our initiatives.”
IndieWire additionally not too long ago spoke with two different survivors concerned within the sequence who felt exploited by the fabric, shut out from the artistic course of, and have been unaware the sequence was supposed for launch by ID.