But although the series focuses intently on Dan Schneider's crusade against Purdue Pharma, the first episode focuses squarely on the 1999 death of his son, Danny Schneider Jr., during an apparent drug deal gone wrong . Schneider defended his leadership style in the interview. After all these claims, Nickelodeon decided to part ways with Schneider in 2018, though the network has never explicitly stated why they made this decision, which was seen as rather shady on their part. Longtime producer Dan Schneider has left Nickelodeon after 30 years. "She was spending a lot of time with us," said Lillien. Schneider's quest in Louisiana is one of the many pieces that led to Purdue Pharma's fall, but The Pharmacist details how his efforts are also seen as some of the earliest to quell the spread of OxyContin. Every single thing that Dan ever did on any of his shows was carefully scrutinized and approved, he wrote in a statement. What's more, other BTS footage shows Schneider directing Amanda to perform what looks like an inappropriate act on a science project, something that the tween actress wouldn't have understood to be inappropriate. Schneider's oversight even allegedly extended to his teenage stars' costumes, with one writer claiming that Schneider lobbied for "whatever was the most revealing." Nikolas, now 30, alleged on Dear Media . What Happened? To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Producer Dan Schneider, the creator of some of televisions most-watched childrens and young adult shows for Nickelodeon before splitting under murky circumstances, has finally addressed what happened. He did say, I couldnt, and I wouldnt have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if Id mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors.. Gradstein told the newspaper, "[Schneider] could be generous and validating, and it was exciting to be around his talent and passion for creating entertainment. But AI can be far more intelligent than humans without ever being conscious. Is there any chance this could lead to prison time? Dan Schneider, 56, began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor, starring in several comedies in the 1980s. While Schneider has always denied any wrongdoing, there were many instances in which underage actresses were put in inappropriate scenarios. After he starts digging, Schneider presents his evidence to local authorities, and ends up helping them to revoke Dr. Cleggett's medical license in 2002, according to Newsweek. 03 Mar 2023 11:35:27 Online denizens posted compilations that stitched together scenes from Schneiders shows, videos he has taken on set and pictures of him with child actors, to raise questions about his behavior with the young people he worked with. I was dealing drugs, and I thought I was a big boy. But neither Miranda Cosgrove nor her iCarly co-star Jennette McCurdy attended the ceremony, which was viewed as a protest against the producer. While details are unclear, Schneider claimed to have a comeback pilot in the works at a network other than Nickelodeon, which he described to the NYT as "ambitious and very different." Cook Talks 'Criminal Minds: Evolution', See Joanna Gaines's "Amazing" Selfie With Daughter, Miranda Lambert Shares Rare Photos with Husband. He was also seen sending texts to the child actors after work. Former crew members also said Schneider seemed to imagine himself as the king of Nick on Sunset, the networks former soundstage. Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh listed zero. As for interacting with fans online, he said that he did so only in very public ways that were fully transparent to his colleagues. Allegations of Dan Schneider's misconduct on his Nickelodeon sets goes much deeper in new details. After returning home from a brief stint in Boston and taking a job repairing Apple computers, he managed to land a part in a movie, Making the Grade, that did its casting in Memphis. Some of his alleged victims consist of Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande, Jamie Lynn Spears, Amanda Bynes, Jennette McCurdy, and Alexa Nikolas (the last two have been the most vocal about Nickelodeon pedophiles). McCurdy alleges that the man pressured her into drinking while underage, took inappropriate photos of her, and so on. In this March 29, 2014, file photo, Dan Schneider, center, accepts the lifetime achievement award at the 27th Kids Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Part one of The Pharmacist, "Justice for Danny," deconstructs the myth of the American Dream and foreshadows what's to come to during subsequent episodes.While speaking about his son's death, Dan breaks down when contemplating an alternative sequences of events, and often references God . Oh, well, its not like he received a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court or anything. "The reason I sound different is because I was incubated for six weeks; my voice is now higher and squeakier.". Original sound - Luna. In addition to a part in his pal Adam Sandler's Netflix film The Ridiculous 6, Schneider released a stand-up special Soy Sauce and the Holocaust in 2013, as well as his self-produced series Real . Internet postings and videos compiled by online denizens raised questions about his interactions with the child actors on his shows. To this day, she is hounded by the paparazzi. I took a break to take care of a lot of stuff that Id let go by the wayside for decades, Schneider said. Arthur Gradstein, a writer and producer who worked with Schneider on four different shows, recalled the stresses of their partnership. He had a younger sister, Kristi Schneider, who was 18 when she lost her big brother. An investigation into Dan Schneider, a former top producer at Nickelodeon who was let go in 2018, has shed light on new allegations of misconduct during his reign at the childrens cable network, where he allegedly fostered a maddening, disgusting, controlling little bubble., The Business Insider story published Tuesday reported how Schneider who was once described by the New York Times as the Norman Lear of childrens television allegedly insisted on hyper-sexualized content in his shows, the most revealing teen costumes and male-dominated writers rooms and that he also asked for on-set massages. More concerning was a section of Deadline's report that contained the following:"For years, Schneider had been under a cloud of suspicion over the treatment of some younger stars of his shows. Although it found no evidence of sexual misconduct, it concluded that Schneider could be verbally abusive. He explained, "I don't want to be an old man someday and look it up and see some episode of one of the shows I did and go, 'Ugh,' and be disappointed in myself. He was surrounded onstage by young actors whose careers he had launched. "I don't feel good about [the murder]," Hall said in the documentary, revealing that he agreed to a plea deal when charged with manslaughter in 2000. The documentary recounts how Schneider became increasingly suspicious about Cleggett after noticing how many prescriptions he filled with her signature, especially those for OxyContin prescriptions. Whatever I do next, I want it to outdo what Ive done in the past.. The network parted ways with Schneider in 2018 under murky conditions, including years of whispers and two investigations into his alleged behavior, specifically that he was verbally abusive. Aug. 31, 2022 2:27 PM PT. Schneider was not named as a party in the complaint. This is pure speculation, but some fans have theorized that Jamie Lynn Spears, star of Schneider's show Zoey 101, may have been targeted by the producer. The report found that a female writer named Jenny Kilgen, who worked on "The Amanda Show" with Schneider, accused the show's production company in 2000 of gender discrimination and hostile working conditions. Anyone can read what you share. The comedy, he said, was totally innocent.. Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdys damning new memoir has many rethinking how the authors co-star, Ariana Grande, was treated at Nickelodeon. Alain Delaqurire contributed research. Schneider's first series was "The Amanda Show" starring Bynes; the actress later sought to live with Schneider and his wife Lisa Lillien in 2002 at age 16 in an attempt to emancipate herself . Newsweek reports that she pled guilty to dispensing controlled substances in 2009, after accepting a plea deal due to her accident. The show-maker said he ultimately wishes the channel "the best" on its future endeavors, including Miranda Cosgrove's "iCarly" rebootairing on Paramount+. Producer Dan Schneider, . Investigations were reportedly conducted by ViacomCBS, and the two parties eventually parted ways. Schneider also allegedly created a hostile work environment and traumatized many, the accusers said, all while curating some of the most coveted child acting gigs of the early 2000s. Monet told Insider that after filming a Victorious scene in which she ate a pickle while putting on lipgloss, she contacted Nickelodeon out of concern for the content. It was very effective., Vanity Fairs 2023 Hollywood Issue Welcomes You to the After-Party of Our Dreams, Inside the New Rights Next Frontier:The American West, The Strange, Sexually Charged Genesis of Gloria Swansons Legendary Memoir, King Charles Reportedly BeganEvicting Harry and MeghanAfterSpare, NetflixsMurdaugh Murders Team Say Theyve Uncovered New Crimes, Trumps Relationship With Jared and Ivanka Is About to Get a Lot More Awkward, The Cringey Sexcapades of a Horny Billionaire, What Is Cinema? I couldnt, and I wouldnt have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if Id mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors, he said. While Schneider created an abundance of programming centered on young kids, he has vociferously denied all allegations of misconduct made against him. Bynes is born and raised in California. Website. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. In an interview with the NY Times, Schneider revealed that "over the years, I've grown and matured as a producer and leader. Dan Schneider may be a pharmacist by profession, but he is a true hero by his actions and the sheer diligence with which he fights all odds. He is obsessed with his pets, and even had his pet rabbit Cookie ferried from Los Angeles to San Diego so that the rabbit could receive medical care from a particular veterinarian. It has been said that the producer harbored an extreme foot thing; while there is nothing inherently wrong with personal kinks, imposing them on kids is not okay. An investigation into Dan Schneider, a former top producer at Nickelodeon who was let go in 2018, has shed light on new allegations of misconduct during his reign at the children's cable network . Nikolas also revealed that she left "Zoey 101" due to her interactions with Schneider. "I quit the show because of the Dan Schneider abuse." Since his split from Nickelodeon three years ago, Schneider hasn't worked on any high-profile projects. Previously, fans had noted questionable sequences on "iCarly," "Victorious," and otherSchneider-produced showswhere child actors' feet were routinely featured for bizarre, ostensibly nonsensical reasons. it makes me sick to my stomach what happened behind the camera | dan schneider is digusting and still not held accountable | and the proof is in our childhood | . The ViacomCBS investigation came at the height of the 2018 emergence of the #MeToo movement. But even as he looked to the future, Schneider, in the interview, considered his legacy, a period of time when his name was all over the credits of the many hit shows. Schneider's departure might come as a surprise, as he still has three shows on the channel: "Henry Danger"; its animated spinoff, "The Adventures of Kid Danger"; and "Game Shakers . The Times article said that investigation saw Schneiders coworkers praised his attention to detail and work ethic, but also indicated that many people he worked with viewed him as verbally abusive. I'm sure I am better and more gentle at communication today," he said. At the time of Dan Schneider's exit from Nickelodeon, reports had been swirling of possible controversial behavior on set. Other sources suggested that the executive verbally belittled women and disliked working with female writers, an accusation that the aforementioned source close to Schneider deemed "untrue. June 30, 2021. In the midst of the scandal, numerous Nickelodeon staff members accused Schneider of verbally abusive behavior on set. Allegations of workplace misconduct persist against former Nickelodeon powerhouse Dan Schneider. All rights reserved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 46,000 individuals died from overdose related to opioids back in 2017, adding that the average American's life expectancy has vastly declined due to the crisis. Eventually, Purdue Pharma, the group behind the invention of OxyContin one of the most addictive painkillers in the United States was sued by multiple states for its role in the nation's burgeoning opioid crisis. Another star who has ostensibly taken aim at Schneider in recent years is former "iCarly" cast member Jennette McCurdy. It all started when fans began to theorize that a certain, unnamed Nickelodeon producer may have acted improperly As possibly the most successful Nickelodeon producer of all time, Dan Schneider is responsible for some of the best-loved shows of the past 20 years. The network knew, no matter how much they wanted the show to be a hit, they knew I wanted it more, Schneider said in a recent interview. Much of the scandal was based around Dan Schneider's bizarre fixation. The 55-year-old actor and producer posts regularly on Instagram. 16 years after her departure, Nikolas staged a protest outside of Nickelodeon's headquarters and formed a movement known as Eat Predators, which aims to assist survivors of child sexual abuse. Invented spaghetti tacos. Courtroom porn and social media have turned innocent bystanders into a mass of mudslingers. Shots in the shows of bare feet were presented as evidence of a fetish. ViacomCBS interviewed dozens of employees, according to four people with knowledge of the review who said they were not authorized to discuss it. Russell Hicks, Nickelodeons former president of content and production, told Insider that a standards-and-practices group reviewed every script of Schneiders shows and that parents and caregivers were always present during filming. "I got abused by Dan Schneider in an exec room," the star said on an episode of the "Vulnerable" podcast. Subsequently, he has claimed that he's the victim of a smear campaign, considering the plethora of rumors have seriously damaged his reputation, and of course, him being let go by Nickelodeon didn't help. And Nickelodeon was just letting it happen.. The Pharmacist: Where is Dan Schneider now? The source close to him said that Schneider regrets ever asking anyone [for a massage] and agrees it was not appropriate, even though it only happened in public settings., Schneiders oversight even allegedly extended to his teenage stars costumes, with one writer claiming that Schneider lobbied for whatever was the most revealing. According to Insider, in McCurdys memoir, she recalled allegedly being pressured to wear a bikini while filming iCarly, with the head of wardrobe telling her that a man McCurdy refers to as The Creator asked for two-pieces. Still, the piece was met with some backlash. (The Schneider source told Insider that all outfits were seen and approved by dozens of people, including the parents of the actors, and the state-licensed teachers on set.), Several female writers also spoke to Insider about the lack of gender parity amongst Schneiders sets. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images. It has been alleged that he has a bad temper; namely, when he was told that his show Game Shakers would not be renewed for a fourth season, he reacted with fury. . Schneider was at the peak of his powers as he took the stage at that 2014 Kids Choice Awards, surrounded by a throng of teenage stars. Daisy Jones & the Six becomes the first fictional band to hit No. Academics were not Schneiders strong suit. He faces potential violence from the community as he digs deeper and deeper, despite failing to uncover any real leads, at first. Nickelodeon and Schneider issued a joint statement to Deadline: "Following many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities, Nickelodeon and our long-time creative partner Dan Schneider/Schneider's Bakery have agreed to not extend the current deal. But some people who worked on Schneiders shows, and asked for anonymity because they said they feared reprisal from him, said they viewed his chumminess with his young actors as awkward and odd for a powerful, middle-aged showrunner. Other scenes were dissected and discussed as scripted moments of wink-wink sexual innuendo, acted out by a teenage cast. In August 2022, a new report from Insider unearthed allegations of misconduct against Dan Schneider from female writers who worked with him going back decades. He had a private bathroom next to the one most other staff members used. But he was also unreasonably demanding, controlling, belittling, and vindictive with a willful disregard for boundaries or workplace appropriateness.". From the dancing lobsters in The Amanda Show to the spaghetti tacos of iCarly, Schneiders shows helped shape Nickelodeons comedy kingdom into a world where kids appeared to have the power to make their wildest thoughts into reality. The probe involving dozens of employees reportedly found no evidence of sexual misconduct by Schneider, although many viewed him as verbally abusive., A longtime writer told Insider that it took time to process the maddening, disgusting, controlling little bubble Schneider cultivated. Per her account, Schneider would sit on the other side of the curtain as she changed and he would request Polaroids of her in her outfits from the wardrobe artist. 120 Likes, TikTok video from trin (@girllnthemorgue): "he is absolutely sickening. Representatives for Nickelodeon did not comment Wednesday, and a representative for Schneider did not respond to The Times request for comment. We want to hear from you! Among the things that have raised eyebrows are his tweeted photos of the toes of his young female stars. Trumps Relationship With Jared and Ivanka. Matt Sayles/Invision, via Associated Press. The talk radio network that airs Dan Bongino and Mark Levin warned staff to stop 'dog-whistle talk.' Cumulus Media warned employees at 416 stations that they would be fired if they continued . While simultaneously grieving his son alongside his wife and daughter, Schneider went door to door in New Orleans searching for more information about his son's killer. The latter half of the documentary reveals how Schneider collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as well as local authorities to discredit Dr. Cleggett. He also allegedly asked for shoulder and neck massages. I wouldnt be thought of as the fattest kid in the class if they thought I was the funniest kid in the class, he said. Flyers seen hanging in Brooklyn in late 2017. Why Didn't Kel Mitchell Become As Famous As Kenan Thompson? Hes also retreated from social media since the publication of McCurdys memoir this month. (A Schneider source told Insider: Dan always had a rule for himself when texting anyone under age 18. If his emails sounded frustrated or impatient, he said, it was likely because he was early on in his career as a producer and was trying to make his shows a success. ", The ViacomCBS investigation found that Schneider was allegedly yelling and throwing tantrums, as well as sending angry emails and texts to child actors outside of working hours, according to a July 2021Deadlinereport. Schneider, in his first major interview since the split with Nickelodeon, declined to comment on the investigation. she said whilst wearing torn clothing, with lipstick smeared across her face and her hair a mess, before uttering the chilling final line, "Look what you've done to me. Schneider only noticed the issue after examining the prescriptions he was fulfilling at the local pharmacy, mostly for OxyContin, prescribed almost entirely by a local medical specialist, Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett, who ran a pain management clinic. In 2014, Schneider accepted Nickelodeons first and only Lifetime Achievement Award. Jennette McCurdy alleges Nickelodeon tried to pay her 'hush money,' according to new book. How did Schneider first decide to challenge pharmaceutical companies? McCurdy was on iCarly for five years and won four Kids ' Choice Awards . Tracy Katsky, a former Nickelodeon executive who worked with Schneider during the height of iCarlys popularity years later, said he was a rare adult who fully understood how to write for kids. Since Schneider has amassed a $40 million net worth, this appears to be a case of a man hiding in plain sight, protected by money and power. In 2022, the retired actress published her memoir "I'm Glad My Mom Died," in which she describes serious abuses that occurred on Nickelodeon sets. Her mom, Lynn Organ, was a dental assistant, and her father, Rick Bynes, was a dentist. Now he is talking about making a return to television. While Schneider was popular during his Saturday Night Live Days, was briefly popular as a comedic actor in his own projects and had what appeared to be a solid career as a character acto. The interview also touched on a more controversial aspect of Schneiders departure. Of course, this is nothing more than a rumor and Schneider has maintained his innocence throughout all allegations of misconduct. danschneider .com. Dan Schneider works on the set of "Victorious," in Los Angeles, in 2010. Several of Schneider's former co-workers and actors have come out with even stronger allegations against the "iCarly" producer, while the executive himself has publicly commented on the circumstances of his departure. She described Schneider as volatile and the on-set environment of Zoey 101 as traumatizing. She said she left the network when she was about 13 after a contentious exchange with her co-stars sister, pop star Britney Spears, that resulted in Schneider later going on a tirade against Nikolas in front of Nick executives. Recent years have seen several former child stars on Dan Schneider's Nickelodeon shows speak out against the executive and the network. The Pharmacist begins by recounting the tragic death of Dan Schneider's son, Daniel Schneider, Jr. Only 22 years old at the time, Danny Jr. was fatally shot while . While some producers might use a simple cellphone prop, for example, Schneider asked his production team to design a PearPhone, a parody of Apple devices that were then used in some of Schneiders shows. McCurdy later addressed her absence on Twitter, cryptically writing, "I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation (many of you have guessed what it is) and I had to look out for me.". He said he bears no ill will toward Nickelodeon, and says he wishes everyone involved with the iCarly revival the best.. Worst of all, his show Sam & Cat Tweeted a request for fans to write on their feet and post the photos on Twitter: "we'll RT and follow until our fingers get sore!" (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, iCarly alum Jennette McCurdy alleges Nickelodeon offered her hush money, At Burbank protest, former Nickelodeon star says networks child actors were not safe, protested outside Nickelodeons headquarters, Ariana Grande fans accuse Nickelodeon of sexualizing the singer as a teen, Chris Rock slaps back at Will and Jada Pinkett Smith hard in live Netflix special. He had enjoyed an unparalleled run as a Nickelodeon writer and showrunner, helping define the network for two decades with hits like All That, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, Victorious, and, perhaps his most iconic show, iCarly.. The show was canceled in 2014 after one season, but Schneider remained at Nickelodeon and created two more shows: Game Shakers and Henry Danger. Nickelodeons parent company, Viacom CBS, launched another investigation in late 2017 and early 2018 into Schneiders alleged sexual behavior, the report said. Nickelodeon handsomely rewarded the producer for his dismissal, giving him $7 million. Colin Farrell Will Dress to Match His Oscar Date, Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 2. He also claimed he did not part from Nickelodeon on bad terms, but said it was the result of an exhausting period that required delivery of as many as 50 episodes of shows each year. After appearing in mostly supporting roles in a number of 1980s and 1990s films and TV shows, Schneider devoted himself to behind-the-scenes work in production. Since then, many other shocking allegations have come out regarding Schneider. Other Nickelodeon staffers have corroborated much of the information, while an anonymous source close to Schneider said he "regrets ever asking anyone and agrees it was not appropriate, even though it only happened in public settings. Schneider and the network grew up together, some of his former colleagues said, building a space for children and family programming from essentially nothing into the highest-rated network on basic cable TV. In 2014, Schneider was honored at the Teen Choice Awards for his contribution to Nickelodeon with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Schneider said to the Times that the postings were ridiculous, and lamented on how social media can amplify any lie. He denied any attempts at sexualizing his young actors. I just made up a story I thought I had everything figured out. Longtime Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said that even in the midst of unforeseen challenges he will always stick by players even his former players like Russell Wilson. He is the co-president of television production . But now interviews with former co-workers, friends and television executives paint a much fuller picture of his departure, his strengths and his weaknesses. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. It was the biggest night of the year for childrens entertainment, and some of Nickelodeons top stars from across generations had gathered to honor Dan Schneider, the man who made them famous. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Dean Schneider (born October 3, 1992) is a Swiss animal sanctuary founder and social media personality based in South Africa. Schneider hinted at a comeback pilot, described as ambitious and very different that he has written and sold to another network. And ready to talk about life, love, and learning to be a feminist. Dan Schneider Media inquiries: press at danschneider.com Creates TV shows e.g. Schneider was not involved with the recent reboot of the show. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 5 Feet As A Symbol Of Abuse. The documentary concludes after highlighting that Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019. Actress Jennette McCurdy, who played Sam Puckett on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, claims she was offered $300,000 of what she calls "hush money" from the network. His middling career has largely fizzled out. Dan's production company, Schneider's Bakery, helped create iconic Nickelodeon shows such as 'All That', 'Drake & Josh', 'The Amanda Show', the very popular 'iCarly', as well as 'Sam & Cat'. They were glowing in their description of him. The difference, they said, was that Schneider brought his style to bear on childrens television. For instance, a behind-the-scenes clip from The Amanda Show features the underage star Amanda Bynes in a hot tub with Schneider. A former colleague claimed Dan Schneider was 'demanding' and 'vindictive'. 2. According to Nikolas, Schneider began laughing before a male teenage castmate remarked, Its like a cum shot. (A source close to Schneider told Insider that the goo was green, just like Nickelodeons famous slime, adding, This episode aired and was seen by millions of people and (to our knowledge) not one viewer ever had a concern.), Similar discomfort was expressed surrounding scenes involving stars Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande, and Daniella Monet.