Nickelodeon’s Top Showrunner Dropped After Reported Outbursts
A surprising shake-up at Nickelodeon may not be so amicable as reported. The kids’ network has dropped showrunner Dan Schneider – creator of iCarly, Kenan & Kel and more – after “multiple complaints of abusive behavior” and an apparent argument during a network meeting.
Deadline reports that Nickelodeon and Schneider’s Bakery productions have parted ways following “many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities,” and will not extend their current deal. Schneider’s Game Shakers will shut down after three seasons, though live-action series Henry Danger is expected to move forward. Nickelodeon claimed that “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.”
That certainly sounds innocent enough, though Deadline adds that “there had been multiple complaints of abusive behavior against Schneider filed by members of his staff,” as well that Schneider had been “under a cloud of suspicion over the treatment of some younger stars of his shows.” Schneider also apparently lost his temper in a meeting with Nickelodeon executives, following news that Game Shakers would not return for Season 4 and that Henry Danger would now share Burbank production space with another Nickelodeon series.
Some of Schneider’s work includes iCarly, Drake & Josh, Victorious and Kenan & Kel, while he is also partly credited with discovering Ariana Grande, Amanda Bynes, Jamie Lynn Spears and Victoria Justice.
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