The veil has been lifted on the darker side of children’s television as Investigation Discovery’s new docu-series, “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” delves into the disturbing reality behind the scenes at Nickelodeon.
The series pulls back the curtain on the empire built by creator Dan Schneider, revealing a world where popular shows like “All That” and “The Amanda Show” were not all sunshine and rainbows. Behind the laughter, the series uncovers allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate behavior involving underage stars and crew members.
With the release of the first two episodes, here are some of the most shocking allegations uncovered so far:
Drake Bell’s Sexual Abuse: Drake Bell bravely opens up about being repeatedly molested by dialogue coach Brian Peck during his time on “The Amanda Show.” Bell recounts how Peck, who became his manager, exploited their friendship to abuse him, leaving him feeling trapped and traumatized.
Katrina Johnson’s Body Shaming: Former “All That” cast member Katrina Johnson reveals how producers criticized her weight, calling her “the fat one.” The hurtful comments lingered, impacting her self-esteem even to this day.
Bryan Christopher Hearne’s Racial Stereotyping: Bryan Christopher Hearne shares his experience of being pressured to play Black stereotypes on the show. He recalls being asked to portray characters like “Lil Fetus,” wearing skintight bodysuits, and feeling marginalized by the racial dynamics on set.
Presence of Convicted Pedophiles: The mother of a former child actress on “The Amanda Show” discloses her daughter’s disturbing encounter with convicted sex offender Jason Michael Handy, who worked as a production assistant on the show. Despite her concerns, her daughter became a victim of Handy’s abuse.
Brian Peck’s Criminal Record: The docu-series exposes Brian Peck’s history of abuse and his disturbing connection to convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Peck’s predatory behavior was concealed for years until he was finally brought to justice.
Amanda Bynes’ Pressured Relationship with Dan Schneider: Former cast members Leon Frierson and Katrina Johnson shed light on Amanda Bynes’ close relationship with Dan Schneider, revealing the pressure she faced from her father to work closely with him.
Exploitative Practices Toward Female Writers: Writers Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen expose the exploitative practices and sexist attitudes within the writing room. They allege that Schneider belittled female writers and made them play demeaning games.
As the series continues to unfold, viewers are left reeling from the revelations, prompting a critical reevaluation of the entertainment industry’s treatment of young talent. “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” episodes 1 and 2 are available for streaming on ID now, with episodes 3 and 4 airing Monday, March 18, at 9 p.m. ET on ID.
