Dan Schneider Sues "Quiet On Set" Producers For Defamation And Painting Him As A Predator

Former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider has filed a defamation lawsuit against the producers of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The documentary uncovered the sexual abuse that went on behind the scenes of children's shows and the alleged mistreatment some staff members faced by Schneider.

While Schneider did produce episodes that seemingly sexualized the minors in his shows, he was never charged with sexual abuse. In addition, some social media users believe that Schneider impregnated Amanda Bynes when she was 13, as well as Zoey 101's Jamie Lynn Spears when she was 16. These rumors remain unconfirmed.

Amidst these allegations, Schneider is now stating that the documentary falsely painted him as a predator. According to Variety, the lawsuit filed by Schneider's attorneys, Jana Moser and Richard McKie, Schneider did not know about the sexual abuse that went on at Nickelodeon.

“Quiet on Set’s portrayal of Schneider is a hit job," they said. "While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered, and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself. But for the sake of clickbait, ratings, and views — or put differently, money — Defendants have destroyed Schneider’s reputation and legacy through the false statements and implications that Schneider is exactly that.”

After Quiet on Set aired, many people noticed how Schneider would often film minors' feet, recreate scenes reminiscent of ejaculation shots, and more. Yet, a representative for Schneider insists that "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.”

The lawsuit claims that the voiceovers, grahics, and the documentary's trailer “are purposefully and intentionally defamatory in that they falsely and repeatedly state or imply that Schneider is a child sexual abuser and committed crimes in this regard — and have been interpreted as such by countless average, ordinary or reasonable viewers.”

Schneider is working hard to defend his name. In a statement to Variety, Schneider wrote that Quiet on Set misled its viewers to believe that he committed the same acts as convicted child predators. “Recently, the docuseries Quiet on Set highlighted mistakes I made and poor judgment I exhibited during my time at Nickelodeon, most of which happened decades ago during my early career as a producer, working on shows for Tollin/Robbins Productions," the statement read.

"There is no doubt that I was sometimes a bad leader. I am sincerely apologetic and regretful for that behavior, and I will continue to take accountability for it. However, after seeing Quiet on Set and its trailer, and the reactions to them, I sadly have no choice but to take legal action against the people behind it. In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted.”

He continued, “I have no objection to anyone highlighting my failures as a boss, but it is wrong to mislead millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators. I owe it to myself, my family, and the many wonderful people involved in making these shows to set the record straight.”

TMZ reports that Schneider is filing a defamation lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, including punitive measures. He claims to have experienced mental distress and financial setbacks due to the docuseries.

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