Drake Bell recently gave his first interview after the release of the ID docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV."
During his appearance on “The Sarah Fraser Show” podcast, he discussed Nickelodeon's response to the documentary, where he revealed details of the sexual abuse he endured at the hands of dialogue and acting coach Brian Peck.
Bell believes Nickelodeon's statement addressing his trauma was carefully crafted. He said, “There’s a very well-tailored response saying, ‘Learning about his trauma,’ because they couldn’t say that they didn’t know about this or what had happened, or anything.” He felt the response was likely the work of a high-powered Hollywood attorney.
The spokesperson for Nickelodeon's gave this statement to Variety: “Now that Drake Bell has disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward.
He further added, “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. Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.”
Investigation Discovery's "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" delves into the troubling work culture at Nickelodeon. The documentary features interviews with former and current employees discussing Dan Schneider, the creator behind hits like "The Amanda Show," "Victorious," "iCarly," and more.
You can watch the full podcast episode below:
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