Dan Schneider Reacts to Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct at Nickelodeon

Dan Schneider is opening up about his departure from Nickelodeon.

The 55-year-old TV producer, who announced that he was leaving the network in 2018, got candid in his first interview with the New York Times.

Click inside to read more…

Later on, it was reportedly revealed that ViacomCBS investigated him and found that he could be verbally abusive. He declined to comment on the investigation, but defended his leadership style.

“I took a break to take care of a lot of stuff that I’d let go by the wayside for decades. Whatever I do next, I want it to outdo what I’ve done in the past,” he said.

His departure also came amid social media chatter regarding scenes from his shows, and pictures of him with child actors, causing suspicion about his behavior. Scene compilations of actors bearing their bare feet accused him of having a foot fetish, while others suggested there was potential sexual innuendo in the jokes.

He called the allegations “ridiculous,” and was sad to see that social media can promote “any lie.”

“The comedy was totally innocent,” he continued.

ViacomCBS’s review found no evidence of sexual misconduct, but found that he could be verbally abusive. Former colleagues also said they sometimes found him to be controlling and difficult.

“I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if I’d mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors,” he argued in the interview, adding that if people perceived him as “difficult,” it was because he has “high standards.”

“I’m very willing to defend creative things that I believe in,” he went on to say.

More recently after his exit, he did reunite with the cast of one of his shows.