Kenan Thompson supports Nickelodeon amidst abuse backlash: 'It's safe kids space'

Kenan Thompson, renowned for his tenure on Nickelodeon shows like All That and Kenan & Kel during the 1990s, has broken his silence regarding his experiences working with Dan Schneider at the network. 

During the interview, Thompson reaffirmed his endorsement of the documentary.

"Investigate more," he urged. "It’s supposed to be a safe place for kids. And to hear all about that is just like, How dare you?" he reiterated.

This marks Thompson's first public commentary since the release of Investigation Discovery's documentary series, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

Speaking on Wednesday's episode of the Tamron Hall Show, the Saturday Night Live cast member addressed the documentary, acknowledging the sensitivity of the subject matter. 

Thompson expressed his difficulty in discussing allegations that emerged after his departure from Nickelodeon, stating, "It’s tough for me because I can’t really speak on things that I never witnessed, you know what I’m saying? Because all these things happened after I left, basically."

Thompson further distanced himself from Dan Schneider, asserting that Schneider's involvement in Kenan & Kel was limited. 

Despite receiving a "created by" credit, Thompson clarified that a different showrunner oversaw their program, minimizing direct interaction with Schneider. 

He emphasized that their professional spheres only intersected significantly during their time on All That.

Regarding the controversies surrounding Schneider, Thompson admitted he was largely unaware of them during their shared tenure at Nickelodeon. 

He explained, "And then all of that negativity kinda started happening outside of our tenure there, you know what I mean? So I wasn’t really aware of a lot of it."

In response to the allegations raised in Quiet on Set, Dan Schneider highlighted his support of Kenan Thompson and his co-star Kel Mitchell as evidence against claims of racism made by other cast members of All That. 

"Diversity has always been very important to me in my shows," Schneider asserted. 

He remarked, "They've gone on to bigger and better things, and that gives me a great sense of pride."