Former child star Drake Bell has expressed his disappointment with Nickelodeon’s response to the recent documentary, “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which shed light on the alleged abuse and toxic work environment within the network. In an appearance on “The Sarah Fraser Show” podcast, Bell criticized Nickelodeon’s apology, calling it “pretty empty.”
Bell, known for his role in the popular show “Drake and Josh,” accused Nickelodeon of providing a carefully crafted response to the documentary. He stated that the network’s apology seemed tailored by a Hollywood attorney, as they couldn’t deny knowledge of the abuse or the events that took place. Bell expressed his frustration, highlighting that Nickelodeon continues to air their shows while he has to bear the cost of his own therapy.
The documentary, which aired last week, revealed that Bell had been sexually assaulted by acting coach Brian Peck during his time as a child actor. Bell recounted the traumatic experience, stating that he woke up to Peck sexually assaulting him and felt trapped and unable to escape the situation. Bell’s father, who believed him, faced dismissal from studio executives when he attempted to raise the issue, being accused of homophobia due to Peck’s sexual orientation.
Peck, now 62, pleaded no contest to two charges of sexual abuse in 2004 and was subsequently sentenced to 16 months in prison. He is also registered as a sex offender. The documentary also exposed the toxic work environment promoted by Nickelodeon executive Dan Schneider, who was accused of sexualizing child stars such as Ariana Grande and Jamie Lynn Spears.
Schneider recently issued a public apology, acknowledging his inappropriate behavior and expressing regret for crossing boundaries with jokes and pranks. He admitted that some scenes should be removed from future airings if they are now seen as sexualized content. Schneider’s spokesperson emphasized that his intentions were never to create anything other than funny content for children.
The allegations and revelations presented in the documentary have sparked widespread discussion and concern. Nickelodeon, in response, stated that they investigate all formal complaints as part of their commitment to maintaining a safe and professional workplace environment. However, Bell’s criticism suggests that the network’s response falls short of addressing the gravity of the situation.
