Why the mastermind behind all your favorite Nickelodeon shows is making headlines
Dan Schneider, the mastermind behind Nickelodeon hits like iCarly, Drake & Josh, and Kenan & Kel, has parted ways with the network. The move comes after behavioral complaints against Schneider were filed, according to Deadline.
Nickelodeon confirmed in a joint statement with Schneider that it is not extending the current deal in place with its longtime creative partner and his production company, Schneider’s Bakery. Neither party acknowledged the accusations; however, a source close to the network tells Yahoo the decision was simply the result of “ongoing corporate change” at Nickelodeon. The insider tells Yahoo there has been a staff shake-up during the past month with five or six employees being let go, including other high-level executives.
Deadline alleges that in addition to the complaints against Schneider filed by members of his staff, he had been under “a cloud of suspicion over the treatment of some younger stars of his shows.” Schneider helped launch the careers of Ariana Grande, Amanda Bynes, Kenan Thompson, Victoria Justice, Miranda Cosgrove, Drake Bell, and Josh Peck after casting them on his series.
The report claims there also have been issues with “bloated budgets and long production days” on his shows, along with “well-documented temper issues for years.” This includes an alleged flare-up last week when he was informed that his Game Shakers was not getting renewed for a fourth season. During the same fiery meeting, Schneider also allegedly objected when he was told he would be sharing a production space with a non-Bakery show.
“Was Dan the easiest person to work with? Probably not, but [this decision] was due to ongoing corporate change,” says Yahoo’s source.
Yahoo reached out to a representative for Schneider for comment on Deadline’s report, but did not immediately receive a response.
“Following many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities, Nickelodeon and our long-time creative partner Dan Schneider/Schneider’s Bakery have agreed to not extend the current deal,” Nickelodeon and Schneider said in a statement. “Since several Schneider’s Bakery projects are wrapping up, both sides agreed that this is a natural time for Nickelodeon and Schneider’s Bakery to pursue other opportunities and projects.
“Dan and his Schneider’s Bakery team have created a string of lasting, groundbreaking hits over the years including iCarly, Drake & Josh, Victorious, Kenan & Kel and the current number-one hit show on Nickelodeon, Henry Danger. We thank Dan and his Schneider’s Bakery producers, executives and social media team for their immeasurable contributions to Nickelodeon, and we wish them the best in their future endeavors. And Dan and Schneider’s Bakery are proud of the work they did together with Nickelodeon and will always remain big fans of the network.”
Henry Danger will continue as planned, while the fate of the animated series The Adventures of Kid Danger is unclear.
In 2014, Schneider received the first-ever lifetime achievement award at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell introduced him, with many cast members from his hits, including Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice, going onstage to present him with his orange balloon. “I feel so lucky that I get to spend my days hanging out with people as talented and hilarious and wonderful as all of you,” Schneider said, thanking his family and fans.
This wasn’t Nickelodeon’s only creative shake-up in recent months. In October, the network fired The Loud House showrunner Chris Savino after a dozen women accused him of inappropriate behavior. “We take allegations of misconduct very seriously, and we are committed to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment that is free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct,” the network said in a statement at the time.
Schneider has yet to address Deadline’s claims or acknowledge his departure from the network on social media.
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