Former Nickelodeon star Lori Beth Denberg has come forward with allegations of a toxic work environment on the set of the popular sketch comedy show “All That.” Denberg, who starred on the show for four seasons, claims that executive producer Dan Schneider preyed on her when she was just 19 years old.
In an interview with Business Insider, Denberg revealed that Schneider, who has been accused of misconduct by other actors and was fired from the network in 2018 for being verbally abusive, invited her into his office to discuss her weight. However, the conversation quickly turned to pornography, with Schneider allegedly showing her explicit clips on his computer.
Denberg also claimed that Schneider initiated phone sex with her and that their relationship eventually became physical, with Schneider touching her inappropriately after she won a bet against him. Denberg, now 48, said that she only recently realized she was taken advantage of by Schneider and felt obligated to do what he wanted due to the power dynamic in their relationship.
Schneider has denied Denberg’s allegations, stating that they are “wildly exaggerated and, in most cases, false.” However, he did admit to making mistakes in the early years of his career and apologized if he exhibited poor judgment with Denberg.
The actress’s allegations come amidst a wave of similar accusations against former Nickelodeon stars, including Melissa Joan Hart, who recently spoke out about abuse allegations in the industry. Schneider has also sued filmmakers of the documentary “Quiet on Set” for defamation.
As the story continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the treatment of young actors in the entertainment industry and the need for accountability and transparency. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
