Jennie Garth, known for her role on Beverly Hills, 90210, is now sharing details about a challenging work experience she had with former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider.
On Monday’s Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard, 54-year-old Jennie Garth revealed that she felt uncomfortable around Michael Schneider while filming her show, What I Like About You, which ran from 2002 to 2006.
Filming the WB series became strained – Garth played Amanda Bynes’ older sister – to the point where Bynes reportedly refused to talk directly to Schneider, and only communicated through his fellow creator of the show.
Dan Schneider, known for his work writing and producing popular Nickelodeon shows like All That, Kenan & Kel, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, and iCarly, has faced significant controversy recently. He’s been accused of writing inappropriate material for the young actors on his shows and creating a harmful work environment where he mistreated staff.
After the 2024 documentary Quiet On Set brought forward accusations from former Nickelodeon actors and staff, Dan Schneider released a video on YouTube in March acknowledging the claims. In the video, he said the documentary made him confront his past actions and admit he had crossed professional lines.
Although the documentary didn’t directly accuse Schneider of sexual abuse, he later sued Warner Bros. Discovery for defamation because of what it presented. The documentary aired on the company’s Investigation Discovery network.
A representative for Schneider declined to comment in response to Garth’s comments.
Garth mentioned the show What I Like About You after telling Shepard she was happy to get the role. She’d struggled to find work after Beverly Hills, 90210 because TV producers avoided her and the other actors, thinking the show had a bad reputation.
Will Calhoun, the co-creator of What I Like About You and, at the time, a producer on Friends, was the one who contacted Garth to talk about the show.
She mentioned another producer was also involved, but admitted she had purposely blocked his name from her memory.
‘He was part of that big scandal,’ she said, before remembering his name, ‘Dan Schneider.’
Garth explained that Schneider seemed to favor Amanda Bynes, likely because they had a long working relationship, having collaborated on ‘All That’ and then created ‘The Amanda Show’ together.
‘He had hooked his wagon to her,’ she said of Schneider and Bynes.
When Shepard asked if Garth was getting ‘bad vibes’ from Schneider, she agreed instantly.
She explained that she told Will she preferred to communicate only with him because she trusted him and believed he had her best interests at heart, unlike his partner. He reportedly responded by saying it wasn’t a problem.
When asked if she thought Amanda Bynes was being harmed by Nick Schneider, Garth responded that she didn’t see it happening specifically because of him.
She added, ‘There were a lot of problems in the ecosystem of her.’
Looking back, I realize how unprepared I was when I started working with Amanda Bynes. I was just turning 30, and she was only 16! Honestly, I had no idea how to navigate being around a teenager at that point in my life – it was a totally new experience for me.
‘[Bynes] taught me so much . . . I was kind of afraid of teenagers,’ she said.
Garth has previously avoided speaking about Schneider.
After the release of ‘Quiet On Set,’ The Hollywood Reporter asked her about working with Dan Schneider. She reportedly said she never wanted to discuss him again.
Garth mentioned she hasn’t talked to Amanda Bynes since the documentary came out, but expressed her continued affection, saying she’d be happy to see her anytime.
Scott Schneider is suing Warner Bros. Discovery, claiming they damaged his reputation due to statements made in the documentary series, Quiet On Set.
Warner Bros. tried to dismiss Rob Schneider’s lawsuit using a California law designed to protect against frivolous cases, but in November 2024, Judge Ashfaq G. Chowdhury decided the lawsuit could move forward.
The judge stated this lawsuit wasn’t filed by Schneider just to bother the defendants. He is suing them over a documentary they created about him, which examines his actions and could lead a viewer to believe he acted improperly.
Chowdhury explained that Schneider convincingly argued the documentary and its trailer suggest he sexually abused children who worked on his show, and that this constitutes defamation. Schneider claimed the materials either directly state or strongly imply he was a child sexual abuser.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the ‘Quiet On Set’ case closely. Warner Bros. recently brought up an important point regarding California’s anti-SLAPP law – a law meant to protect people from being silenced by frivolous and expensive lawsuits. They emphasized that the claims weren’t about direct accusations of sexual abuse against Schneider, which is a key detail in understanding the legal strategy at play.
In legal documents, Schneider described the documentary series as a deliberate attack and stated he was unaware of any abuse happening at Nickelodeon. He also said he didn’t know that two people who later were identified as child abusers had been employed by the network.
In March 2024, Schneider addressed a documentary about him by appearing in a YouTube interview with BooG!E, known for his role as T-Bo on iCarly. He stated the documentary prompted him to reflect on his past actions.
Schneider acknowledged he had acted unprofessionally in the past and stated he needed to sincerely apologize to those he had affected.
Dan Schneider, once known as a rising star at Nickelodeon, directly addressed the recent controversy, stating, ‘The last two nights have been really tough to watch.’
I’m confronting things I’ve done in the past, and I’m ashamed of some of them. I realize I need to sincerely apologize to certain people.
Corey Schneider started at the network in 1993 and is known for helping launch the careers of several young actors who went on to become big stars, such as Miranda Cosgrove, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Ariana Grande.
He soon faced numerous accusations, and was eventually sued for gender discrimination, creating a toxic workplace and harassment. Many of these claims were detailed in a recent documentary.
Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen were brought on as co-writers for The Amanda Show and shared a single salary. The network essentially got two writers for the cost of one.
Dan made a comment early on that he didn’t find women humorous, according to Stratton.
He created a relaxed and enjoyable environment, but I always sensed a hidden instability in Dan. I worried he might suddenly become angry or unpredictable, and it frightened me.
She described the work environment under Dan as deeply unsettling, leaving staff feeling anxious and on edge. She went on to say that working with him felt similar to being in an abusive relationship.
Kilgen admitted to having held similar views, explaining that he previously ‘didn’t appreciate the contributions of women in the writers’ room.’
She also revealed disturbing details about Dan’s behavior, stating he displayed pornography on his computer and repeatedly asked her for massages, both in the writers’ room and at the studio.
You constantly worried that speaking up against Dan or asserting your own needs could cost you your job.
It was a really difficult moment. We were in the writers’ room, and Christy started sharing stories about her high school experiences, which made sense because we were developing a character who was a young girl.
Dan suggested a shocking and inappropriate joke: pretending to be sexually assaulted while recounting a high school story.
Kilgen explained that Stratton originally declined, but Schneider persistently encouraged her until she felt she had no choice but to agree.
She simply did what he requested, leaning across the table. It was difficult to witness, as I’d gotten to know Christy and didn’t want to confront him about it.
She stated it was likely the most inappropriate thing she had ever witnessed happen to a woman at work.
Stratton chose not to discuss the event, but said she sympathized with her younger self, noting she was just starting out at the time.
Honestly, it broke my heart to learn that after leaving the network, Ms. Kilgen actually sued Mr. Schneider. But she said it wasn’t about her, you know? She really did it so other women wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. It was so brave, and it just proves what I always knew – she’s a true inspiration!
Let me tell you, dealing with workplace issues can be incredibly tough. I found myself in a situation where I had to take legal action, so I hired a lawyer and we started raising concerns about discrimination and harassment on set. We filed formal complaints, and thankfully, the production company did an internal review and ultimately reached a settlement. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do to address the hostile environment I experienced.
It really affected my career, and it was devastating to realize all that effort didn’t amount to anything.
Amy Berg, a former assistant, recently used strong language on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling Schneider an offensive name.
She accused him of emotionally abusing and controlling her, and said his actions led to panic attacks, anxiety, and an irregular heartbeat.
Regarding the reports of unacceptable behavior among the writers, Schneider stated firmly that no writer should ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable in a writers’ room. He emphasized there’s absolutely no tolerance for such issues.
Most comedy TV writers have worked in writers’ rooms and understand that inappropriate jokes and topics often surface during brainstorming sessions.
I’m embarrassed that I took part in that, especially since I was in charge at the time. It was a mistake.
He explained the source of his pain, recalling his early days working in the entertainment industry with vivid clarity.
I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement – it meant everything to me to be given those chances. Thankfully, things worked out well because the people I met were wonderful.
I feel terrible that my early successes didn’t translate into a positive experience for all my employees. I should have shared that initial enthusiasm and support with everyone, and I really regret not doing so. I wish I could go back and make things right.
Schneider admitted that the show’s writers occasionally made jokes that were inappropriate or crossed the line, and that he himself sometimes contributed to that with jokes that went too far.
I made a mistake, and it was due to my lack of experience as a producer at the time. I was also quite immature then. I’ve grown a lot since then, and it wouldn’t happen now, but I sincerely apologize for what happened.
He also expressed regret for often asking female studio staff for massages.
I made a mistake, and I regret ever putting anyone in that difficult position. It was wrong of me, and I wouldn’t do it again. I’m ashamed of my past actions, and I sincerely apologize to anyone affected.
I also want to apologize to anyone nearby who saw what happened and might have been upset by it.
BooG!E advised Schneider to speak directly to those who had negative experiences working with him. Schneider admitted he regretted letting the stress of producing up to 40 episodes a year affect his behavior, explaining that a good leader shouldn’t let pressure impact their team.
I used to be quick to anger and often responded with sarcasm instead of kindness. I also rushed through things and didn’t take the time to truly listen to or help others.
While watching ‘Quiet On Set,’ I often felt the urge to reach out to the people featured and apologize. I wanted to tell them I was sorry for their experiences and that I wished things had been better for them, and that I could have done more to make it a positive experience.
The documentary also revealed that some shows produced under Dan Schneider’s direction at Nickelodeon were considered problematic due to containing awkward or uncomfortable scenes.
The show contained troubling moments that inappropriately sexualized young performers. This included scenes with Ariana Grande, then 16, where she performed actions like putting her hand down her throat and toes in her mouth, and made suggestive comments about being ‘soaking wet’.
The show also featured Ariana trying to extract juice from a potato by squeezing it intensely, complete with exaggerated sounds. She also attempted to drink water while upside down in a suggestive pose, but ended up soaking her head and chest.
Commentators in the documentary noted a disturbing acceptance of jokes that sexualized children.
Addressing the criticism, Schneider explained that all the jokes people were talking about were created for children, and kids found them funny for that simple reason – they were meant to be amusing to a young audience.
Now that some time has passed, adults are revisiting these shows and, with today’s perspectives, are questioning whether certain content was really suitable for children.
If anyone is uncomfortable with those jokes, I’m happy to remove them from the show.
I aim to create shows that appeal to a wide audience, and if any part of a show causes offense, I’m happy to remove it.
Honestly, the absolute last thing I want is to include anything in the show that would disappoint or even turn off my viewers. It just doesn’t make any sense to me why I’d ever risk losing their attention – I want them to keep watching and enjoying what we create!
Schneider emphasized that jokes went through multiple layers of review before being approved and clarified that reports of him being removed from his own performance were untrue, calling them a baseless rumor.
A video recently shared online shows Rob Schneider and Amanda Bynes in a hot tub during a sketch from their time on Nickelodeon. The video appears to show Bynes when she was a minor.
The video, reportedly filmed in 2002 when Amanda Bynes was about 16 years old, features comedian Jeff Schneider sitting next to her while she wears a bikini. Schneider wrote the sketch himself, and many viewers have described it as ‘very uncomfortable’.
Schneider, twenty years older than Bynes, spoke up to defend their friendship, explaining he was simply trying to support her, despite any outside perceptions.
The recent “Quiet On Set” investigation revealed that three Nickelodeon employees faced charges related to child sexual abuse. Drake Bell also publicly shared his experience of being abused by dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was described as a key figure within Dan Schneider’s production environment.
In a recent interview, Schneider clarified that he wasn’t involved in hiring Peck and wanted to make it clear he wasn’t associated with those accused of predatory behavior.
He explained that hearing what happened to Drake was more upsetting than anything he’d personally experienced in his career up to that point.
‘I told him “I’m here for you, what do you need” which Drake mentioned in the show.’
Schneider strongly criticized prominent figures who continued to support Peck even after the allegations surfaced, including attending his court hearings and writing letters of support during his sentencing.
He briefly became emotional while sharing that Drake’s mother, whom he still talks to, had asked him for help writing a speech she was giving to the judge.
‘That was probably the darkest part of my career,’ he said.
Schneider concluded by acknowledging he would certainly handle some things differently in retrospect.
I strongly believe it’s crucial to have a licensed therapist present when hiring young actors, especially minors, for television work. This therapist would ensure these children genuinely want to be involved and are making informed decisions about working on set.
It might be helpful to explain what fame actually entails – how it will affect their life, their social media presence, and their family relationships. Let them understand what to expect.
‘That way if a kid doesn’t want to be on a TV show they can opt out.’
He added that he’d most like to change how he treated others, admitting he hadn’t always been his best self with people.
I realize now that I lacked patience and often came across as arrogant and overly eager. I was sometimes simply unpleasant and disrespectful, and I sincerely apologize for that behavior.
You know, after watching that show, I was really struck by the pain some of the people were clearly feeling. It honestly left me feeling terrible – a mix of regret and genuine sorrow. It’s a powerful thing to witness, and it definitely stayed with me.
I often think about my career and wish I could revisit those early years with the knowledge and experience I have now. I’d definitely want to handle things differently and ensure I always treat everyone with respect – I never want to think it was acceptable to be unkind to anyone.
I set out to create humorous TV shows for children, and I believe we succeeded. However, looking back, I’d approach things differently. I would prioritize being kinder and more attentive to the ideas and input of my team members.
‘I would do everything that I could to make sure that everyone had a good experience.’
In 2018, Dan Schneider finished his work with Nickelodeon, explaining that he wanted to explore new projects and opportunities.
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