In ID’s Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV, the toxic environment of the popular kid’s cable channel, Nickelodeon has been exposed.
For years, directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz worked to make sources comfortable with the idea of talking about their experiences, sharing allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics on sets. Most of these acts were carried out by creator Dan Schneider.
“When we were first approached about this project, there was an undeniable passion behind the pitch. In working with an incredibly talented filmmaking team and the dedicated journalists at Business Insider, ‘Quiet On Set’ unearths revelations and sheds light on important survivor stories that needed to be shared after decades in the dark,” Tuner Networks, ID & HLN President Jason Sarlanis said in a statement to Variety.
In the docuseries, cast members and crew of the shows created by Dan Schneider share their experiences.
Some crew members also said they were asked continuously to massage Schneider on set.
“Dan deeply regrets asking anyone for neck massages,” his representative says in response. “Though they happened in public settings, he knows this was highly inappropriate and would never happen again.”
During the second half of the docuseries, there was a shocking reveal. Drake Bell came forward for the first time publicly revealing that he was the victim in Brian Peck’s child abuse case.
Peck, who worked as a dialogue and acting coach under Schneider on “All That” and “The Amanda Show,” was arrested for child sexual abuse in 2003 served 16 months in prison, and registered as a child sex offender.
Speaking on the docuseries, Nickelodeon said in a statement.
“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 high standards and the expectations of our audience.”
