Kenan Thompson calls for 'accountability' after 'Quiet on Set' doc: 'Investigate more'
Kenan Thompson is breaking his silence on the Nickelodeon allegations levied in "Quiet on Set."
The former "Kenan & Kel" star, 45, spoke Wednesday on "Tamron Hall" about the Investigation Discovery documentary series, which detailed alleged inappropriate conduct that occurred behind the scenes of Nickelodeon. Thompson, who got his start as a child actor on the network, did not participate in the documentary.
"It's a tough subject," the comedian said. "It's tough for me because I can't really speak on things that I never witnessed, because all these things happened after I left, basically."
"Quiet on Set" covers allegations against producer Dan Schneider, who is accused of creating a toxic work environment on his Nickelodeon shows and engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as by asking female employees for massages on set. Many interview subjects also argued that jokes written by Schneider had sexual implications and were not suitable for shows starring minors.
Schneider served as a producer on "All That," where Thompson got his start in television, as well as "Kenan & Kel," which starred Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Schneider also co-wrote the Nickelodeon movie "Good Burger," which was based on an "All That" sketch, and starred as the boss of Thompson's character.
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Thompson said that his and Schneider's worlds weren't necessarily "overly overlapping" much while he was at Nickelodeon, though, and that he wasn't aware of much of the "negativity" covered in the documentary.
But he added, "My heart goes out to anybody that's been victimized or their families." He also said it's a "good thing" that the documentary is "putting things on display that need to be, stories that need to be told for accountability's sake," even though it's "tough to watch."
"I have fond memories of that place," Thompson explained. "I have fond memories of my co-stars and stuff like that, so to hear that they've gone through terrible things like that, it's really tough."
In a statement shared with USA TODAY, a spokesperson for Schneider said that "everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network," adding, "Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny."
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In a YouTube video posted after the documentary aired, though, Schneider acknowledged he "definitely at times didn't give people the best of me" and apologized for being "just straight up rude and obnoxious."
In "Quiet on Set," "Drake & Josh" star Drake Bell also alleged that former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually assaulted him, and a mother alleged that a production assistant, Jason Handy, sent her daughter a photograph of himself masturbating.
Nickelodeon previously said in a statement to USA TODAY, "Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct."
But Thompson called for further action to be taken in response to the documentary, saying, "Investigate more! It's supposed to be a safe space. It's supposed to be a safe place for kids. To hear all about that is just like, 'How dare you?'"
After his stint on Nickelodeon, Thompson went on to join "Saturday Night Live," where he is now the show's longest-serving cast member. Last year, he reunited with Mitchell on "Good Burger 2," which was produced by Nickelodeon Movies. Schneider did not return for the sequel after Nickelodeon cut ties with him in 2018.
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY