Sam & Cat’s second season on hold as Jennette McCurdy and Nickelodeon feud

Jennette McCurdy was a notable no-show at Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards last weekend. With Sam & Cat‘s second season still hanging in the balance, it didn’t take long for fans to put two and two together and realize all isn’t well between Jennette and the network.

The “Sam” actress later confirmed the rift with a long message on Twitter.

“I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation (many of you have guessed what it is) and I had to look out for me,” Jennette said on March 30. “I chose to not go because sticking up for what is right and what is fair is what my mom taught me is ALWAYS the most important thing. I want to thank those of you who have reached out with kind words of support, McCurdians and Arianators alike. No matter who or what you support, I believe in supporting fairness first. If you have done that, thank you.”

Jennette quickly clarified that “what it is” isn’t backlash to her leaked nude photos. She added, “It has to do with how Nickelodeon treated me. That’s all.”

A network rep confirmed that to Fox News: “The photos caused no issues between McCurdy and the network, and we have the utmost respect for her.””

So, what is the point of contention? According to TMZ, Jennette’s frustrated with paycheck inequality between her and co-star Ariana Grande: Even though Jennette’s been with Nick three years longer than Ariana, the pop star earns way more.

Deadline reports bad feelings go both ways as Jennette’s been accused of showing up late and creating drama on the set. So, even though Sam & Cat is the network’s most popular show, executives are dragging their heels with ordering a second season. They are also hedging their bets by developing three new series — in case Sam & Cat falls through.

For now, Nickelodeon executives are taking the “time will heal all wounds” approach by allowing everyone to step back from the series for a while.

“We are wrapping up what was an unusually long production cycle of Sam & Cat, and everyone is understandably tired,” the network said in a statement. “We are going into our production hiatus next week which will give everyone on the show a much-needed rest.”