The Bonus Episode of “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” Reveals Former Child Stars’ Experiences After Documentary Airs
In a bonus episode of “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” released on Sunday night, former child star Drake Bell opened up about the aftermath of going public with his story of sexual abuse during his time at Nickelodeon. Bell revealed for the first time in the docuseries that he was a victim of sexual abuse, and he expressed his disappointment that none of the people who wrote letters in support of his abuser, Brian Peck, had reached out or apologized to him personally. Among those who supported Peck were actors James Marsden, Taran Killam, Will Friedle, Rider Strong, and others.
Bell also talked about his relationship with producer Dan Schneider, who is the focus of the series for allegedly creating a toxic workplace for writers and actors. Bell mentioned that during his abuse, Schneider was the only one from the network who made an effort to help him and ensure he was okay. Other former “All That” cast members, Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne, also shared their experiences after the series aired, stating that they had to take a step back from social media due to the overwhelming supportive response.
In the bonus episode, Samuels revealed that Schneider had reached out to her before the series aired, asking for a quote of support against the allegations. However, Samuels expressed her fear of Schneider by telling him that she was terrified of him. Hearne dismissed Schneider’s apology, calling it “funny” and criticizing it as a performance. Shane Lyons, another former “All That” cast member who had not been featured in the docuseries, also shared his experience of dealing with advances from Bell’s abuser, Brian Peck.
The bonus episode also addressed the defense of Josh Peck, Bell’s former co-star on “Drake & Josh.” Bell defended Josh Peck, stating that the internet’s criticism of him was unfair and confirming that they have a close connection. “Quiet on Set” examined the toxic culture of kids shows on Nickelodeon in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including allegations of a toxic workplace environment created by Schneider. The series shed light on the abuse Bell endured from a dialogue coach and revealed that another crew member was arrested for lewd acts with a minor.
With over 16 million viewers across various platforms, “Quiet on Set” has become one of the most-watched unscripted series since its release. The series has sparked conversations about the treatment of child actors and the responsibilities of networks and producers in creating a safe work environment for young performers. Schneider, who was a successful producer for Nickelodeon with shows like “iCarly” and “Drake & Josh,” issued an apology in response to the allegations, expressing embarrassment and acknowledging the difficulty of watching the series. The bonus episode of “Quiet on Set” continues to shed light on the experiences of former child stars and the challenges they face in speaking out about abuse and toxic work environments in the entertainment industry.
