If you were a kid or had kids watching TV in the late ’90s to early 2000s, shows like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, All That, Zoey 101, and iCarly were probably on your screen. What you might not know is that Dan Schneider was the creative mind behind all these programs.
These shows were famous for their energetic young stars and funny skits. However, a recent documentary has revealed some concerning secrets behind the scenes.
‘Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV’, which aired on Investigation Discovery, sheds light on serious issues. It talks about “mistreatment, gender bias, racial prejudice, and wrong relationships with young actors and staff,” as the show’s notes describe.
Read: Steps to stream Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV anywhere in UK, Australia or Canada
One of the most shocking disclosures is about Drake Bell, a key actor from Drake & Josh, who speaks out for the first time about being sexually mistreated by Brian Peck. Peck was found guilty in 2004 of committing inappropriate acts with a minor.
This documentary doesn’t just focus on these alarming stories for shock value. Instead, it asks important questions about how to spot, stop, and prevent such wrongdoings in the future, and if young actors are safe. Sadly, it seems the answer is “no.”
Through six major points and talks with the directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, the documentary aims to spark significant concern and dialogue about the need for change in how the entertainment industry operates.
- The documentary came about from several sources, including Jennette McCurdy’s revealing book about her experiences on set, a Business Insider report on Dan Schneider’s show environments, and YouTube compilations of concerning scenes from those shows.
Mary Robertson pointed out that some clips showed actions with a sexual undertone involving young actors, such as Ariana Grande and Jamie Lynn Spears in questionable scenarios.
- The directors and their crew looked through IMDb for anyone connected to Schneider’s projects, ending up with a long list of contacts.
Emma Schwartz shared that they reached out to hundreds, finding that even those who weren’t ready to talk were glad someone was taking the issue seriously after previous failed attempts to bring it to light.
- The show faced criticism for only having two female writers who were underpaid. One writer was subjected to inappropriate behavior, and another was fired after sharing an idea, leading to a lawsuit against Schneider’s company for unequal pay. The lawsuit was eventually settled.
- Cast members, like Bryan Hearne, shared their discomfort with certain stunts and outfits, including overly suggestive costumes and uncomfortable scenes involving a dog and peanut butter.
Additional footage revealed instances of children being put in risky or distasteful scenarios for the sake of entertainment.
- While uncovering many troubling facts, Robertson and Schwartz clarified that not everything rumored was true. They distinguished between reality and fiction, like disproving some wild conspiracy theories while confirming disturbing behaviors by individuals like production assistant Jason Handy.
- Even though Nickelodeon and Schneider parted ways in 2018 amid denials of wrongdoing, the problem of unsafe work environments for child actors isn’t isolated to Schneider’s shows.
The directors believe progress is being made but emphasize the need for a broader discussion and action towards safer, more equitable work conditions in the industry.
This story has been updated with Dan Schneider’s response to the documentary’s claims.
