Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is a documentary filled with explosive allegations about Nickelodeon during the time that Dan Schneider was working at the network. The former Zoey 101 star, Matthew Underwood, released a lengthy statement in response to the claims made in the documentary. In his heartfelt confession on Instagram, Underwood revealed that he had been groomed and molested by his best friend’s stepfather when he was only 12 years old. He also shared that he had been sexually harassed and assaulted by his agent when he was 19, which led to his decision to leave Los Angeles and put an end to his pursuit of acting. Despite receiving hate from trolls for not speaking out sooner, Underwood stated that he has rebuilt his self-image over the years and wishes the best for everyone involved.
In his statement, Matthew Underwood mentioned that he had never experienced any negative incidents while working on Nickelodeon sets or with Dan Schneider. He expressed his belief that people have the capacity to change and improve, and hoped that Schneider would become a better creator and coworker. A representative for Schneider responded to the allegations by stating that all scenes, dialogues, costumes, and makeup were approved by network executives, with strict scrutiny conducted on every set to ensure appropriateness. The statement also highlighted that any inappropriate content would have been flagged and removed. The representative further suggested that the claims made in the documentary may be projected by adults onto children’s shows, resulting in misguided conclusions.
The representative for Dan Schneider emphasized that if there was a real issue with scenes being sexualized, they would have been removed, but they continue to be aired globally, demonstrating their approval by a set of standards and practices. The statement defended the network’s thorough approval process for content and reiterated that all episodes were reviewed and approved by programming executives. It also mentioned that parents and caregivers were present on set during filming and rehearsals, adding another layer of oversight. The representative concluded by highlighting that some adults may interpret innocent content as inappropriate due to their own projections onto children’s shows.
The release of Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV sparked a conversation surrounding the treatment of child actors and the responsibility of networks and executives in ensuring a safe and appropriate work environment. Matthew Underwood’s brave confession shed light on his own experiences of abuse and harassment, prompting discussions about the pervasive issue of abuse in the entertainment industry. The response from Dan Schneider’s representative raised questions about the scrutiny and approval processes in place at networks like Nickelodeon and the challenges of balancing creative freedom with ensuring content is suitable for a young audience. Overall, the documentary and subsequent statements from those involved have ignited a conversation about accountability, transparency, and protecting minors in the entertainment industry.
