Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Investigation Discovery’s latest docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, premiered on March 17, 2024, as a two-night event. The four-part series delves into allegations made against former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider and several others. Many former child actors, as well as staff members, claimed that Schneider exhibited abusive behavior on the sets of popular shows. They allegedly faced a toxic environment fueled by sexism, racism, and sexual assault.
In recent revelations, the documentary alleged that Schneider once had a close and personal relationship with Amanda Bynes. Today.com reported that Schneider cast Bynes in All That, following which she got her own spinoff, The Amanda Show, in 1999. Several witnesses claimed the two were “very close on the Amanda Show.” However, Schneider’s involvement in Bynes’ failed attempt at emancipation from her parents caused a split between them.
According to USA Today, Dan Schneider created hit Nickelodeon shows such as The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, and more. Before that, he worked as a writer on All That, Good Burger, and Kenan & Kel. Schneider also helped launch the acting careers of actors like Amanda Bynes and Drake Bell. However, in 2018, the network cut ties with the producer after the allegations surfaced, per People Magazine.
What does Quiet on Set reveal about Amanda Bynes and Dan Schneider’s work bond?
Amanda Bynes and Dan Schneider’s “close” relationship during Bynes’ growing years is one of the main focus points of ID’s Quiet on Set. According to Today.com, Bynes’ roles in Nickelodeon’s All That and The Amanda Show under Schneider’s guidance helped launch her acting career. Katrina Johnson, a former child actor from All That, claimed she discovered Bynes.
In the documentary, Johnson said she first watched the latter perform at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles and recommended her to Schneider. Former Nickelodeon director Virgil L. Fabian said, “Dan [Schneider] saw her [Amanda Bynes] and immediately knew she’d be a star.” They cast Bynes on All That, after which she received her own spinoff, The Amanda Show.
Former All That cast members Katrina Johnson and Leon Frierson claimed Amanda Bynes’ father, Rick Bynes, and Dan Schneider “carefully crafted Amanda’s career.” Fabian further said Bynes and Schneider were “very close on the Amanda Show. Very few people made Dan laugh, and Amanda did.” Bynes was 13 years old when The Amanda Show debuted.
According to US Weekly, in the docuseries, Frierson said, “We had to go to school on set. There would be times when Amanda would just be missing. A lot of times we would hear she would be with Dan, pitching ideas and writing. We see them grow closer to each other on set.” Culture writer Scaachi Koul also noted, “Dan Schneider was very responsible for Amanda Bynes’ career and they were very tied to each other and I think she trusted him.”
Several cast and crew members of The Amanda Show spoke about Schneider’s close relationship with Bynes. One such witness was Karyn Finley Thompson, who served as an editor on All That. Entertainment Weekly stated that Thompson described Bynes and Schneider’s close bond in Quiet on Set.
Thompson alleged, “I definitely saw Amanda being very close physically with Dan. There were many times that I saw Amanda sitting behind him hugging him, or like giving him a neck massage or whatever. Dan and Amanda had a close relationship, and I didn’t think anything different than that.”
Entertainment Weekly reported that Dan Schneider’s spokesperson said, “Dan deeply regrets asking anyone for neck massages. Though they happened in public settings, he knows this was highly inappropriate and would never happen again.” Schneider’s spokesperson has made several comments responding to the allegations against the former producer. However, they have not made any direct comment on his relationship with Bynes.
Per US Weekly, Schneider and Amanda Bynes’ close relationship eventually soured after she started taking more adult roles. Former director Virgil Fabian claimed that Bynes and her parents began facing issues, “She wanted to be a grown-up. She still lived at home so there were some rules.”
Journalist Kate Taylor spoke about an alleged incident between Bynes’ parents and Schneider. She said, “She [Bynes] tries to run away from home and in this moment she turns to Dan for help. The details are a little murky but we know from sources that the police were involved. We also know that Amanda’s parents are really upset with Dan’s actions through this”
Kate Taylor alleged, “But around this time, Amanda turns to Dan and other reps to get her emancipated and get her to a new level of independence. This plan takes her parents completely by surprise.” This later caused a rift between Bynes and Schneider.
“There is an argument that could be made that he was trying to help Amanda. But unfortunately for Dan, this goes to court and it entirely fails. Because of Dan’s involvement in this plan to emancipate Amanda, this creates this huge split between Amanda’s parents and Dan Schneider,” alleged Taylor.
Scaachi Koul further added on the alleged Scandal, “[That was] the end of Dan’s relationship with Amanda. Dan parts ways with What I Like About You and stays with the show in name only.”
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV reveals the accounts of many other former Nickelodeon child actors, such as Drake Bell, Giovonnie Samuels, and more. Their allegations name Schneider, former production assistant Jason Handy, animator Ezel Channel, and dialogue coach/actor Brian Peck as the abusers. The latter three are now convicted sex offenders.
