Dan Schneider Responds To Lori Beth Denberg's Claims Of Sexual Misconduct
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on May 15, 2024 at 11:15 AM EDT
'All That' alum Lori Beth Denberg has accused Dan Schneider of sexual misconduct, and the former Nickelodeon producer has now addressed those claims.
These claims from Denberg come months after the documentary 'Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV' was released, which featured former Nickelodeon cast and crew who detailed their experience working with the network.
Lori Beth Denberg Accuses Dan Schneider Of 'Preying' On Her
Lori Beth Denberg is speaking out, detailing her experience working with Dan Schneider. In a new interview with Business Insider, the former 'All That' actress recalled an incident where Schenider called her into his office and showed her p-rn.
In 1995, near Denberg's 19th birthday, Nickelodeon's popular comedy series 'All That' concluded its inaugural season. Denberg, a standout among the show's cast, was then reportedly talked to by a female producer about her weight.
After Schenider learned of the incident, he reportedly was furious and told the Nickelodeon actress that he should have had that conversation with her because he understood what it was like to be overweight. Denberg said that initially when she met with Schneider, she appreciated his concern and support, but before she knew it, the conversation changed, leading to something sexual.
According to Denberg, Schneider brought up p-rn on his computer and showed her clips, including the "grand finale" of a woman performing oral sex on a donkey.
"I feel like that is the first time he preyed on me," Denberg told Business Insider.
Lori Beth Denberg Says Dan Schneider Put Her In Uncomfortable Situations
During her time on 'All That,' which lasted from 1994 to 1998, Denberg claims she was put in multiple situations that made her feel uncomfortable.
She told the outlet that he verbally attacked her during shoots, exposed her to adult content multiple times, and even engaged in phone-based sexual activities. In hindsight, Denberg reflected on how she now finds the power dynamic unsettling, considering his position of authority as someone over a decade her senior.
Lori Beth Denberg Sleeps Over Dan Schneider's House
It reportedly started with frequent phone calls where they would regularly discuss sexual topics, but once she began spending late nights at Schneider's home, sometimes sleeping over, they would give each other massages, and Schneider played p-rn on his computer.
But things then allegedly turned sexual after the two watched 'Jeopardy!' and Denberg lost a bet. The loser was supposed to give the winner a massage, but Schneider took things further and reportedly touched and put his mouth on her breasts.
Looking back on the alleged incident, Denberg said she "couldn't have been more green."
"I couldn't have been more vulnerable," she told Business Insider.
Dan Schneider Says The Accusations Are 'Widly Exaggerated'
In a statement to Business Insider, Schneider said Denberg's accusations are "wildly exaggerated and, in most cases, false."
"As I have previously stated, there were times, particularly in the early years of my career, that I made mistakes and exhibited poor judgment as a leader," he said. "If I did that with respect to Lori Beth, I sincerely apologize to her. But I cannot apologize for things I did not do."
Shortly after the release of the docuseries, Schneider publicly apologized to anyone he hurt or mistreated during that time of his life.
“Watching over the past two nights was very difficult. Me facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret, I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology," he said. “I wish I could go back, especially to those earlier years of my career, and bring the growth and the experience that I have now and just do a better job and never, ever feel like it was okay to be an a–hole to anyone, ever."
He has since filed a lawsuit against the production companies behind the 'Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV' docuseries.
Dan Schneider Files Lawsuit Against Production Companies
As detailed by The Blast, allegations against Schneider during his tenure with the network consisted of a range of behaviors, including creating a toxic workplace, engaging in verbal abuse, displaying racism, showing favoritism, and engaging in inappropriate conduct towards young actors, which were all mentioned in 'Quiet On Set.'
Following its premiere, Schneider filed a lawsuit.
"While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered, and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself," the lawsuit, obtained by The Blast, stated.
Schneider says the companies behind the docuseries misrepresented him as a sexual predator.