Nickelodeon icon Kel Mitchell says Jennette McCurdy is “brave” to write about her time with the network in her book “I’m Glad My Mom Died.”
“Everyone has a different story and the way they want to tell their story and express themselves — and to get it out there — that’s absolutely important,” Mitchell, 43, tells Vidak For Congress exclusively as he watched season 3 of his MTV. show promotes, “Deliciousness.”
“I remember what she went through when her mother died around that time,” the comedian says, recalling his 2013 tenure on McCurdy’s Nick sitcom “Sam & Cat.”
“So [I love] hear her tell her story and be brave in it.”
The memoirs of ‘iCarly’ alumni explore the complicated relationship she shared with her late mother, Debra McCurdy, who controlled her every move and subjected her to alleged abuse. Debra died of cancer when Jennette was 21.
Jennette also claims in her book that she was once offered $300,000 in “hush money” to ensure she wouldn’t talk publicly about her time at Nickelodeon or experiences with a man she worked with, referred to only as “The Creator”. (She turned down the network’s offer, she says.)
Notably, Dan Schneider has created both “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat”. He retired from Nickelodeon in 2018 after an investigation revealed he could be verbally abusive; previous allegations of sexual misconduct remained unfounded.
Schneider also helmed “All That” and “Kenan & Kel,” the Nickelodeon shows that put Mitchell and co-star Kenan Thompson on the map in the 1990s, when both men were teenagers.
Mitchell has continued his relationship with the network in the decades since, both in front of and behind the camera as an actor and producer.
He tells Vidak For Congress that working with Jennette, now 30, remains one of his best Nickelodeon memories.
“Jennette is wonderful. I got to work with her on ‘Sam & Cat’ which was super cool. Me and my wife [Asia Lee] I also got to hang out with Jennette,” he recalls.
“She played my assistant on ‘Sam & Cat’ and we had a blast. She burst into tears. She’s also a very, very talented actress and comedian.”
After seeking therapy in late 2010, McCurdy decided to leave showbiz for good — a decision Mitchell supports despite the star power he saw on set.
“I love that. Never just pigeonhole yourself. Do many things. Go for many different things,” says the youth pastor and author, who is preparing the release of his second book, “Prank Day.”
“I love seeing that: actors who become writers, become preachers,” he adds, “all these different things.”
Of all the jobs Mitchell has taken, co-hosting “Deliciousness” along with Tiffani Thiessen, Angela Kinsey, and Tim Chantarangsu might just be his favorite yet.
“I love this trip. I like to find the joy in every moment and this is very nice. You get to sit on the couch and just burst when all this food fails,” the actor says “Good Burger.”
“I love watching that show and it’s all about food for me. Good Burger gives me free burgers and everything. So it just works!”
Season 3 of “Deliciousness” can be streamed on MTV.com and Paramount+.