Keke Palmer has opened up about her experiences as a child actor for Nickelodeon, claiming that the atmosphere on former producer Dan Schneider’s sets felt “very weird, very cultish.”
Palmer appeared in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP from 2008 to 2011. Schneider was not involved in this programme.
Recently, Schneider, who wrote and produced many popular children’s TV shows in the ’90s and early ’00s – including Kenan & Kel, Drake & Josh and The Amanda Show – was the subject of a documentary series that alleged he presided over a culture of abuse on the sets of his shows.
Now, on her podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, Palmer spoke about her experiences on set as a child with her mother, Sharon, who appeared as a guest on the show.
Speaking on the podcast, Sharon said that other mothers of child actors had encouraged her to watch the show. Keke then said: “I honestly do remember you having a lot to say about the Dan Schneider sets. I remember you feeling a way about Nickelodeon… I want to hear what you have to say.”
Sharon responded: “My honest opinion is I thought the whole atmosphere of the Dan Schneider set was very weird, very cultish. The parents were very secretive, and I honestly thought they all took themselves way too seriously.”
She continued: “The whole conversation was: ‘Oh my God! What’s happening next? Did you hear they’re going to cancel this show? What’s coming next?’ It was always so frantic about what was being cancelled.
“I always looked at you being at Nickelodeon as just a stopping station. You didn’t get your start on Nickelodeon or Disney. You were blessed and fortunate enough to work, and to work in adult situations and kid situations. My mentality about the entertainment business wasn’t that Disney Channel or Nickelodeon was the end all to be all, but a lot of the parents did.”
After the release of the docuseries, the former Nickelodeon showrunner and producer released an apology video, saying watching the documentary was “very difficult” as he faced his “past behaviours – some of which are embarrassing and that I regret” and admitted that he owes some people an “apology”.
However, later, Schneider claimed that the documentary falsely implied that he sexually abused child actors on the shows.
Previously, Drake and Josh star Drake Bell said he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of dialogue coach Brian Peck in the same documentary.
Nickelodeon has since responded, saying they were “dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward.”
Schneider subsequently announced that he was suing the documentary makers, accusing them of misleading viewers into thinking he was a child predator to increase ratings (as per The Independent).
A lawsuit filed by Schneider’s attorneys and seen by The Independent reads: “Quiet on Set’s portrayal of Schneider is a hit job. While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself.
“But for the sake of clickbait, ratings, and views – or put differently, money – Defendants have destroyed Schneider’s reputation and legacy through the false statements and implications that Schneider is exactly that.”
Speaking on the reason behind his lawsuit, Schneider reportedly told TMZ: “They went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted.”
He explained: “I have no objection to anyone highlighting my failures as a boss, but it is wrong to mislead millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators.”
Schneider said the docuseries “highlighted mistakes I made and poor judgement I exhibited during my time at Nickelodeon, most of which happened decades ago during my early career as a producer, working on shows for Tollin/Robbins Productions.”
He added: “There is no doubt that I was sometimes a bad leader. I am sincerely apologetic and regretful for that behaviour, and I will continue to take accountability for it.”
Schneider is seeking compensation, punitive damages, coverage of his legal fees and the editing, taking down or removing all or a portion of the Trailer and/or Quiet on Set.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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