Content warning: The below discusses sexual abuse which may be triggering for some readers.
For many children who dreamt of Hollywood stardom in the 1990s and 2000s, landing a job on the Nickelodeon network was their number-one goal. The prized contract promised fame and fortune, with the network launching the careers of stars such as Amanda Bynes, Ariana Grande and Emma Roberts.
WATCH: Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV
However, a new docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, claims there was a sinister side to Nickelodeon. The five-part series details allegations of assault and sexual misconduct within the network.
One actor Drake Bell, from Drake & Josh, shared that he was repeatedly molested by the network’s dialogue coach, Brian Peck, when he was 15.
“I often look back at that time and wonder how in the world I survived,” Drake, now 37, said.
“I remember all of the abusive events, but everything outside of that is very blurry to me, which is a bummer because I experienced a lot of great things in my life and my career during this time.”
Drake added that the abuse began when Peck invited him over to his house for acting lessons.
“I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep and I woke up to him … I opened my eyes … and he was sexually assaulting me,” Drake said. “And I froze and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react.
“And it just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out. The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal.”
This behaviour continued for six months. In 2004, Peck was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was registered as a sex offender. That same year his colleague, Jason Handy, was also convicted for child abuse and pornography for molesting a different child.
Quiet on Set also revealed allegations of volatile behaviour and gender discrimination against producer Dan Schneider. Schneider is best known for discovering Amanda Bynes and creating her star vehicles The Amanda Show and What I Like About You.
He was accused of coercing child actors into acting out inappropriate sketches and creating a hostile work environment.
Stratton and Jenny Kilgen wrote for The Amanda Show and claim they were asked to massage Schneider. They also say they had to split a single salary between them.
“I think of that poor girl [young me] and what she had to go through. I would not do that today,” Christy said.
After the documentary aired, representatives for Schneider issued a statement, saying “everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinised by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network.”
Schneider maintained the “jokes” were intended for a young audience and apologised his behaviour. He also admitted asking crew members for massages was “wrong”.
“It was wrong that I ever put anyone in that position. It was wrong to do. I’d never do it today. I apologise to anybody that I ever put in that situation,” he said in a separate statement.
Just weeks after its global release, the emotional testimonies from cast and crew has reportedly left Nickelodeon executives in a tailspin with many questioning, what else is to come?
You can stream Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV on Binge.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available.
- Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
- Call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit their website.
