For millions of kids growing up, Nickelodeon was a cultural phenomenon that captured imaginations and shaped childhoods with its beloved shows. However, the new documentary “Quiet on Set” explores allegations of mistreatment and toxic workplace conditions that plagued the network in the 1990s and early 2000s. Through interviews with former stars and staff, the feature pulls back the curtain on the channel’s alleged dark past.
Directed by Emma Robertson and Emma Schwartz, “Quiet On Set ” is a four-part docuseries that premiered on March 17 on Investigation Discovery. The documentary initially focuses on allegations against Dan Schneider, a former executive who created popular shows like “iCarly” and “Drake & Josh”. As the series progresses, it expands its scope to investigate claims of misconduct against other former Nickelodeon staff, including Jason Handy and Brian Peck.
While allegations of abuse and discrimination at Nickelodeon have surfaced over the years, the documentary provides an in-depth exploration of these claims that had not been looked at before.
For example, in the first episode, former Nickelodeon writers Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen allege that Schneider only hired them as writers on “The Amanda Show” if they agreed to share a salary. According to the women, the male writers on the show were not subjected to the same salary-splitting arrangement. When Kilgen later learned that requiring writers to split a salary violates rules outlined by the Writers Guild of America, she reported Schneider to the association. Schneider however, denied that he had any control over the salaries of his writers.
The documentary also delves into claims of racist behavior by Schneider. In episode one, former star Raquel Lee Bolleau recounts how Schneider allegedly angrily questioned why she needed “that big of a cake” when surprised with a birthday cake on set. The implied undertones, given Bolleau’s status as a woman of color, suggest he may have treated her differently than the other kids due to racial bias. A few actors and parents also alleged that roles reinforcing racial stereotypes were often given to the black child actors on Schneider’s shows.
The third and fourth episodes focus on unsettling allegations against Brian Peck, a dialogue coach on the popular Nickelodeon series “Drake & Josh”. The documentary details how in 2006, Peck was accused of inappropriate conduct involving an underage minor. While the identity of the accuser was completely confidential at the time of Peck’s trial, the series discloses that it was actually Drake Bell, one of the lead actors of the show, who had leveled the charges against Peck. In his account, Bell sheds light on his experience and how it had a lasting impact on his perspective and choices in his adulthood.
The claims in “Quiet on Set” have sparked widespread shock amongst viewers who grew up watching Nickelodeon’s iconic shows. For many who idolized stars like Bell during their childhood, learning about these allegations of abuse has been extremely unsettling. The documentary has reignited important discussions about protecting young actors and making sure that the people in power are held accountable.
At the end of each episode, the documentary includes a statement from Nickelodeon stating that it “investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace … [W]e 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.”
“It’s crazy to think we grew up watching these shows not realizing the terrible things going on behind the scenes,” Senior Ritesh Kujuluva said. “It’s hard trying to watch these childhood shows again knowing that the people behind them were so messed up.”
The revelations in “Quiet on Set” emphasize the importance of creating safe and ethical working environments, especially when children are involved. As the entertainment industry continues to deal with allegations of misconduct, the documentary serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and protection of young stars.
