Kenan Thompson recently spoke out about his time working with Dan Schneider at Nickelodeon during the 1990s, following the release of the documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. While appearing on the Tamron Hall Show, Thompson shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that it’s a tough subject for him to discuss, especially since he did not witness the incidents that are now coming to light.
Thompson mentioned that most of the negative incidents associated with Schneider took place after he had left the Nickelodeon shows. He explained that while Schneider did have some involvement in shows like All That and Kenan & Kel, his presence was more prominent in All That, rather than in Kenan & Kel. This limited overlap between the two shows may have shielded Thompson from some of the darker aspects of Schneider’s behavior.
Despite Thompson’s portrayal of Schneider as being less involved in Kenan & Kel, the reality is that Schneider had writing and producing credits on several episodes of the show. Additionally, Schneider was a co-executive producer for the first two seasons of Kenan & Kel, indicating a more substantial role in the production than Thompson’s comments suggest. Schneider’s influence was also felt in All That, where he worked on episodes featuring Thompson.
Thompson’s Empathy for Victims
Thompson expressed sympathy for his former Nickelodeon colleagues who spoke out about the toxic work environment they experienced. He acknowledged the importance of shedding light on these stories for accountability purposes while also acknowledging the difficulty of reconciling his fond memories of the place with the troubling revelations. Thompson’s call to “investigate more” underscores his belief in creating safer environments for child actors.
Kenan Thompson’s reflections on his time working with Dan Schneider at Nickelodeon offer a nuanced perspective on the situation. While he may not have been directly impacted by the negative aspects of Schneider’s behavior, Thompson’s empathy for the victims and his call for further investigation demonstrate his commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all individuals in the entertainment industry.