Drake Bell has slammed Nickelodeon’s “empty” response to Investigation Discovery’s shocking documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The former child star criticised the TV network in an episode of the podcast The Sarah Fraser Show, and said: “I find it pretty empty, their responses, because, I mean, they still show our shows, they still put our shows on.”
“And I have to pay for my own therapy, I have to figure out what — I mean if there was anything, if there was any truth behind them actually caring, there would be something more than quotes on a page by obviously a legal representative telling them exactly how to tailor a response.”
The four-part series uncovered the toxic culture behind some of the most iconic children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In the third episode, Drake alleged that he was sexually abused by former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck (no relation to Bell’s Drake & Josh co-star Josh Peck) when he was 15.
Nickelodeon responded to the allegations and evidence within the episodes in a statement to Variety that said: “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.”
“Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviours 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.”
Bell commented on the response: “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.”
“So I think that was a really well-tailored response by probably some big attorney in Hollywood.”
Brian Peck was arrested and charged in 2003 for child sexual abuse, but the victim’s name had been sealed until Drake came forward for the documentary.
The documentary also revealed allegations of emotional abuse and sexualization of child actors against Dan Schneider, a Nickelodeon executive and show creator.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dan opened up about watching the series and said: “When I watched the show, I could see the hurt in some people’s eyes, and it made me feel awful and regretful and sorry.”
“I wish I could go back, especially to those earlier years of my career, and bring the growth and the experience that I have now and just do a better job and never, ever feel like it was OK to be an asshole to anyone, ever.”
On Monday, when the show first aired, representatives for the producer responded to claims about sexualized content and toxic on-set behavior by saying that “everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network.”
Dan created hit programmes like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious and Sam & Cat.
Looking back, Dan agreed that some jokes crossed a line and should be cut from episodes that continue to air.
He explained: “All those jokes … the show covered over the past two nights, every one of those jokes was written for a kid audience because kids thought they were funny and only funny,”
“Let’s cut those jokes out of the show, just like I would have done 20 years ago or 25 years ago.”
“I want my shows to be popular. I want everyone to like [the shows], the more people who liked the shows, the happier I am. So if there’s anything that needs to be cut because it’s upsetting somebody, let’s cut it.”
“There are definitely things that I would do differently, the main thing that I would change is how I treat people and everyone. I definitely at times didn’t give people the best of me. I didn’t show enough patience. I could be cocky and definitely over-ambitious, and sometimes just straight-up rude and obnoxious, and I’m sorry that I ever was.”
He also said, among other things, that he was wrong to ask anyone on set to give him massages: “It 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’m embarrassed that I did it then. I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation.”
“I can tell you why it hurts really bad for me, I was green. I was scared. I was excited. It meant the world to me that I was getting these opportunities. And I went in and I got lucky, because my first couple experiences were fantastic. And the fact that I didn’t pay it forward to every employee that walked through my door, it hurts my heart because I should have, and I wish I could go back and fix that.”
