Photo: Eric Vitale/Getty
Dan Schneider has given his first major interview since hisabrupt exit from Nickelodeonin 2018.
In March 2018, Nickelodeon cut ties with Schneider, 55, amid reports alleging he engaged in abusive behavior towards staff members on set, as well as speculation about tweets he posted showing the feet of some of the young actresses he worked with,Deadlinereported at the time.
Some social media users additionally compiled scenes from his shows, many featuring the stars' bare feet, claiming the clips as evidence of an inappropriate foot fetish on Schneider’s part.
Schneider described such allegations as “ridiculous” and said kids find feet “goofy and funny.”
“The comedy was totally innocent,” he said.
Prior to the announcement of his Nickelodeon departure, ViacomCBS investigated Schneider and interviewed dozens of employees, theTimesreports, citing sources with knowledge of the review who spoke on the condition of anonymity. According to theTimes, the review found no evidence of sexual misconduct, but found that many people Schneider worked with viewed him as verbally abusive.
“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 said, adding that if people saw him as “difficult,” it was because he has “high standards” for his work.
Arthur Gradstein, who worked as a writer and producer with Schneider on four shows, told theTimesthat he could be difficult to work with.
“I will always be grateful to Dan for taking a chance on me as a rash young writer fresh out of college, and for all I learned over the next six years,” he said. “Much of my experience with him was a blast: He could be generous and validating, and it was exciting to be around his talent and passion for creating entertainment.”
“But he was also unreasonably demanding, controlling, belittling and vindictive,” Gradstein added, “with a wilful disregard for boundaries or workplace appropriateness.”
Schneider told theTimeshe’s changed since he left Nickelodeon. “Over the years, I’ve grown and matured as a producer and leader,” he said. “I’m sure I’m better and more gentle at communicating today.”
Dan Schneider on the set of Sam & Cat.Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Nickelodeon
Sources additionally alleged to theTimesthat the producer interacted with young fans online and texted the child actors on his shows outside of work hours. The report claimed thatVictoria Justice, who starred inVictorious,had a headshot of a young Schneider alongside other photos of young men in her locker on set.
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Addressing therecentiCarlyrevival, which he is not a part of, Schneider said he wishes everyone involved “the best.”
“I don’t want to be an old man some day,” he said, “and look it up and see some episode of one of the shows I did and go, ‘ugh,’ and be disappointed in myself.”
source: people.com
