Where is Dan Schneider now? Nickelodeon producer responds to 'Quiet on the Set' backlash

"Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV," a documentary series that examines alleged toxic and abusive behavior on some Nickelodeon shows in the 1990s and early 2000s, has created a firestorm of controversy since it began airing on Sunday, March 17.

The four-part series interviews actors and staff and crew of shows like "Drake & Josh," "The Amanda Show" and "iCarly," which were created for the network by producer Dan Schneider. It's dark and disturbing, with examples of sexualizing young actors. In one segment Drake Bell of "Drake & Josh" publicly recounts his story of being abused by a dialogue coach who worked for Nickelodeon.

Schneider is not interviewed in the series, but issued a denial of allegations that is included at the end of episodes. He is seen in archival footage.

However, he responded in a nearly 20-minute video posted Tuesday to his YouTube channel in which he apologizes for some behavior.

Schneider has issued an apology video

"Watching over the past two nights was very difficult, me facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret, and I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology," he says in the video.

He apologizes for asking for massages on-set and for making inappropriate jokes, and for other complaints about his behavior. Responding to the claims of sexualizing young actors, he said the jokes were "written for a kid audience because kids thought they were funny... Now we have some adults looking back at them 20 years later through their lens, and they’re looking at them and they’re saying ‘You know, I don’t think that’s appropriate for a kids show.’ I have no problem with that. If that’s how anyone feels, let’s cut those jokes out of the show, just like I would have done 20 years ago."

Where is Dan Schneider now?

The YouTube video was a rare appearance for Schneider, who left the network in 2018. He and Nickelodeon issued a joint statement announcing the split and he's kept a low profile ever since.

In a New York Times interview in 2021 he talked about writing two pilots, but neither has been produced.

Tough watch: How to see 'Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV'

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Where is Dan Schneider now? Former Nickelodeon producer apologizes