Nickelodeon exposed: former child stars speak out on 5th episode of “Quiet on Set”

The recent docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" has continued to spark discussion.

In the series’ fifth episode,titled "Breaking the Silence," journalist Soledad O'Brien interviewed former Nickelodeon stars from the early 2000s.

Guests included Drake Bell ("Drake & Josh"), and Bryan Hearne and Giovonnie Samuels ("All That").

The docuseries, which premiered on March 17th, has drawn over 16 million viewers. It has featured bombshell revelations, including an interview with Drake Bell, who alleges that he was sexually assaulted by a Nickelodeon dialogue coach at age 15.
The series also investigates sexism accusations leveled against producer Dan Schneider by female writers Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen on "The Amanda Show."

The episode opens with Drake Bell addressing public comments made by "Boy Meets World" stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong.

Friedle and Strong had previously written letters supporting disgraced dialogue coach Brian Peck, who sexually abused Bell at age 15. (Bell's identity as the victim remained private at the time, as he was a minor. Peck served 16 months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender.)

The letters were first revealed in the docuseries; Friedle and Strong expressed remorse on their podcast "Pod Meets World" before the series premiered. However, Bell emphasises that their regret doesn't alter his memory of the events in court.

Since the docuseries aired, Bell has noticed criticism directed at his mother, with some questioning why she didn't protect him.

In "Breaking the Silence”, Bell defended her: “My mom and I have an incredible relationship. I do feel there’s a lot of people kind of, after the doc, going after my mom a bit. But if you were in that situation at that time, he was so good at what he was doing, Brian, he was so calculated, he knew exactly what to say, how to say it, what to do, the image to portray, everything. I completely understand how he just pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes. It’s tragic.”

Hearne and Samuels discussed their experiences as young Black actors on a network with limited diverse representation. They, along with "All That" alum Shane Lyons (who alleges improper advances by the same dialogue coach), expressed skepticism over Schneider's apology video.

Dan Schneider in the video posted to YouTube on March 19, 2024. Photo: DANWARP/YOUTUBE