Abuse on set – that's what the allegations against US children's channel Nickelodeon are about

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Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider (at a lifetime achievement award): At the center of the allegations

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Frazer Harrison/KCA2014/Getty Images

It doesn't seem to be simply the wrongdoing of individuals. It's about an environment that tolerates, looks the other way or simply doesn't want to know anything. The four-part US documentary “Quiet on Set” (here the trailer) paints this picture of the conditions that are said to have prevailed at the US children's channel Nickelodeon in the 1990s and 2000s.

Many of the child stars who appeared in front of the camera for the channel at the time were apparently consumed by a toxic environment. Sexism and abuse were widespread there, as US media reported, citing the documentary.

That's what those affected say

Several former Nickelodeon stars and employees talk about shocking experiences in “Quiet on Set”. One of the most famous people appearing is actor Drake Bell, who claims to be a victim

the conversation coach who was convicted of abuse in 2003.

Bell said he initially sought his friendship on set. When his father found this suspicious, the coach, Drake Bell, tried to manipulate him, telling him that his father was stealing his money and that it would be better to separate himself from him as manager. Finally, the interview coach managed to convince Bell's mother to let her son stay overnight at his place between castings. This then led to abuse. Drake Bell says: “Imagine the worst thing you can imagine when it comes to sexual abuse. That happened to me."

The mother of an eleven-year-old who made allegations against a production assistant also had her say. At first she wasn't worried about the fact that parents weren't allowed to take part in the filming. But then her daughter told her that the employee had sent her an email with a naked photo of himself: “It was a picture of him masturbating naked. He said he sent it to her because he wanted her to know he was thinking about her.”

What responsibility does Dan Schneider have?

At the center of the allegations is the man who was responsible for Nickelodeon hit series such as "Zoey 101", "Drake & Josh", "iCarly" and "Victorious": Producer Dan Schneider could, as the statements in the documentary suggest, be responsible for The toxic environment on set is largely responsible. Accusations are also made against Schneider himself - although the documentation holds back from assessing whether this is inappropriate behavior or potential criminal offenses.

Among other things, a sequence is shown in which former child star Amanda Bynes sits in a whirlpool with Schneider. Parts of the concept of the “Amanda Show” at the time seem strange from today's perspective; the then 16-year-old interviewed guests while bathing in a whirlpool - in one scene, Bynes and Schneider hug.

Two former authors of the show also have their say and report on Schneider's inappropriate sayings. One of them goes further and says Schneider also showed her porn and asked her to give him a massage. "Since it was my first time working as an author, I didn't know what was acceptable and what wasn't," the woman described her situation. She was afraid of being fired.

Nickelodeon parted ways with Schneider in 2018. There was no evidence of sexual misconduct at the time; he was said to have been verbally abusive.

How do Schneider and the broadcaster react?

Schneider responded to the allegations in the documentary on Tuesday with an interview published on his YouTube channel. He appears remorseful and sometimes seems on the verge of tears. “I had to confront my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing,” he says. He goes on to assert that he “definitely owes some people a pretty strong apology.” His behavior back then was immature and he would no longer behave the same way today. He does not admit any judicial misconduct.

Nickelodeon remained tight-lipped in its response to producers' questions. The New York Times quoted the company as “investigating all formal complaints as part of our commitment to promoting a safe and professional workplace.” Over the years, “numerous safety precautions” have been taken “to ensure that we meet our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.”

Editor's note: In an earlier version, we mistakenly showed a photo within the article that did not show Drake Bell, but rather Devon Werkheiser. We exchanged the picture.

Sol