Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, a new docuseries detailing what occurred behind the scenes of beloved Nickelodeon sitcoms with former cast members including All That and The Amanda Show, aired recently on HBO Max. Alumni such as Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas, All That star Bryan Hearne, and Drake & Josh star Drake Bell are featured in the limited series. In the wake of the premiere, Bell’s former cast members Josh Peck, Chris Massey, and more have aired their thoughts online.
Stars Share Early Experiences After Quiet On Set Premiere
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Meanwhile, former Nickelodeon producer and show creator Dan Schneider has since responded. Amid his response, HBO Max’s new documentary Quiet on Set has received much discussion online. Significantly, the docuseries details Schneider’s rise to prominence as he began working at Nickelodeon. Quiet on Set also features former cast sharing their experiences working on the production of many acclaimed Nickelodeon series.
Former Nickelodeon stars, including Alexa Nikolas and Drake Bell, were among those interviewed. Christy Stratton, one of only two women writers who worked on The Amanda Show starring Amanda Bynes shared “Working for Dan was like being in an abusive relationship.”
Former Amanda Show Writers Tell All about Former Cast Member
In one instance, Jenny Kilgen—the only other woman writer who worked with Stratton during the run of The Amanda Show—recalls in Quiet on Set one instance with former producer Schneider that she labeled one of the worst moments she’s witnessed in a professional environment. While Kilgen and Stratton were devising segments for the show, Kilgen recalls, “Dan just said, ‘You know what’d be funny? If you acted like you were being sodomized while telling that story.’”
Kilgen continues, “She[Stratton] couldn’t get out of it, he’s begging her. So she just leaned over the table and did what he asked her to do.” Based on their accounts in the doc, both shared a salary for their contributions to the show shortly before the Writers’ Guild of America stepped in.
Actor and musician Drake Bell was the primary subject of the third episode of Quiet on Set. The Drake & Josh star was found guilty of charges over communication with an underage girl. Bell recalls the early years and highlights of his career. Things swiftly take a turn as Brian Peck, a former dialogue coach for The Amanda Show, is introduced to the story.
Former Cast Member Drake Bell on His Assault by Former Dialogue Coach
As Peck began to spend more time around Drake, his father Joe could tell something was off. Joe recalled speaking to some Nickelodeon staffers on Bryan and stating, “I really am uncomfortable with this guy being around my son.” Joe was accused of being homophobic when Drake’s father learned the former dialogue coach. Peck would go on to attend many of Drake’s concerts and his 15th birthday party. Drake recalls Peck’s attempts to tarnish his relationship with Joe and his mother.
When Peck was successful, he would eventually become Drake’s manager. Drake shares, “Brian started getting into my mom’s mind… I remember all of the abusive events. Our relationship was eviscerated. Brian would go and drive me to auditions.”
Having slept over at Peck’s house before, he recalls the time Brian took advantage of how close he had been with Drake. While staying over at Peck’s home, Bell stated, “I woke up and he was sexually assaulting me. I froze and was in complete shock. I had no idea how to get out of the situation.” Brian Peck was arrested for molestation in August 2003 for 16 months. Peck subsequently registered as a sex offender.
A slew of celebrities and sitcom stars wrote 41 letters in support of the ostracized former dialogue coach. The full details of Brian Peck’s assault were reportedly not made public to his supporters. James Marsden, Taran Killam, Alan Thicke, and Boy Meets World stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong were among those who penned their support of Peck.
Another Former Cast Member Comes Forward with Story of Assault
Over the weekend and in the wake of the Quiet on Set docuseries premiere, another Nickelodeon star has come forward with their story on their life behind the scenes. Matthew Underwood, star of Zoey 101, alleges he was assaulted when he was 12 by a friend’s stepfather and sexually harassed and assaulted him by his former agent when he was 19 years old. “My trust was betrayed and my self-image was crushed. I reported him to the agency and he has since been fired,” Underwood shared in a Instagram post.
The Zoey 101 star goes to share how this impacted him and the backlash he’s received from viewers of the four-part miniseries. “This experience provoked my move away from L.A. and ended my pursuit of acting. I’m sharing this with hope that some of you can recognize that just because a person doesn’t shout from the rooftops that pedophiles are bad or that people can suck—that does not mean they don’t have their own reasons for staying silent. Please stop wishing death upon my family, and please reconsider harassing other actors who wish to maintain their privacy.”
Nickelodeon Former Cast Members & Parents Respond to Quiet on Set
Angel Massey, mother of Nikolas’ co-star Chris Massey, was one of the first to respond since Quiet on Set’s premiere. “Dan Schneider, you are awesome and a genius,” Angel wrote over a picture of the former Nickelodeon producer alongside her son Chris. “I can’t thank this guy enough for the opportunity he gave my son and my family. Blame the parents, not Dan.”
Schneider himself took the doc’s premiere as an opportunity to air his thoughts. The former producer had a conversation with iCarly star Boogie Bowman. Nickelodeon alum Schneider can be seen throughout the docuseries giving massages to Nick stars. Both Bowman and Schneider chose to address this topic first.
“It was the wrong thing to do. I would never do it today. I’m embarrassed that I did it then,” Schneider stated. “I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation.” Bowman and Schneider also addressed many of the On-Air Dare segments targeted at cast members of All That, which essentially were family-friendly renditions of punishments and challenges contestants endured on Fear Factor.
On one occasion, former All That star Bryan Hearne was humiliated bizarrely. In an interview with Good Morning America, the Staten Island actor shared his experience on one of the dare segments. Dogs are seen then licking peanut butter off Hearne’s body. Hearne shared “My on-air dare, I was saying ‘I don’t like this.”
Since Quiet On Set, Dan is now coming out to share his regret while making some of these segments in his heyday. “At the time, I had no indication that any kid had a problem with them, Schneider shared. “But, when I was watching this show, I now know that there were kids who did have problems with the on-air dares and it breaks my heart. I’m so sorry.”
Drake & Josh and Zoey 101 Co-Stars Weigh In
Nickelodeon Alum Zoey 101 star Chris Massey shared he will be the only person to tell his story and for fans to stop reaching out to him about his mother’s comments. “ME!!!…so please stop messaging me about what my mom said…. Respectfully.”
Josh Peck took to his Instagram to share he’s reached out to Drake since his appearance after watching Quiet on Set. “I reached out to Drake privately, but want to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse.” the Drake & Josh co-star wrote. “Children should be protected.”
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