Dan Schneider, a former Nickelodeon producer, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the creators of the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which he has labeled a “hit job.”
The lawsuit, initiated on Wednesday, May 1, targets Warner Bros. Discovery, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures Television, and directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz.
Schneider is seeking compensation for the harm to his reputation, the harassment he has endured since the series aired, emotional distress, and the loss of financial and career opportunities.
The legal documents defend Schneider, stating, “While it is true that two child sexual abusers were involved with Nickelodeon shows, Schneider had no knowledge of their actions and was not complicit”.
The lawsuit argues that for the sake of generating revenue through “clickbait, ratings, and views,” the defendants have severely damaged Schneider’s reputation and legacy.
He accused them of falsely suggesting that Schneider sexually abused children who appeared on his shows. In his statement, Schneider criticizes the docuseries for going beyond factual reporting, claiming it misleadingly implicated him in criminal activities.
Despite acknowledging errors and poor judgment during his early career at Nickelodeon, Schneider vehemently denies any knowledge or involvement in the sexual abuse alleged by others at the network, including dialogue and acting coach Brian Peck.