Dan Schneider sues Quiet on Set producers for defamation, calls Nickelodeon docuseries a 'hit job'
Quiet on Set revealed the toxic underbelly of abuse, harassment and sexism on the sets of shows led by Dan Schneider. (Getty: Kevin Winter)
Former Nickelodeon show creator Dan Schneider has filed a defamation lawsuit against the creators of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The five-part docuseries, which was released earlier this year, focused on the making of some of Nickelodeon's most iconic children's programs of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Schneider's legal team said the series' portrayal of him was "a hit job" in court papers published by US entertainment magazine Variety:
"Defendants falsely state or imply that Schneider .... sexually abused the children who worked on his television shows.
"These statements are fabrications."
Quiet on Set was critical of Nickelodeon and Schneider, with some of his former colleagues accusing the showrunner of creating a hostile work environment.
Among the specific claims were allegations from two former female writers on The Amanda Show, who said they were subjected to sexist hazing in the Schneider-led writing room.
Following the release of the docuseries, Schneider released a 19-minute apology video to YouTube.
In response to hostile work environment allegations, Schneider said he "made practical jokes that went too far" because he was "immature" and "inexperienced".
Another key focus of the series was Drake Bell, who spoke for the first time about sexual abuse he endured as a child actor.
The series also established that two convicted child abusers, Brian Peck and Jason Handy, worked on Schneider's show.
Schneider's legal team said he had "no knowledge of their abuse" and "was not a child sexual abuser himself" in the legal papers published by Variety.
The lawsuit specifically claimed the voiceovers and graphics in Quiet on Set, as well as the series trailer were "purposefully and intentionally defamatory".
It's filed against three entertainment companies — Warner Bros Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures — as well as two producers — Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz.
The ABC has contacted Warner Bros Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures for comment.
Schneider's legal team are seeking financial compensation.
It also calls for Quiet on Set and its trailer to either be taken down or edited.