The documentary not only exposes alleged wrongdoing at Nickelodeon but also sparks a larger social conversation about the treatment of young artists in the entertainment industry. It raises questions about the responsibility of networks and production companies to ensure the safety and well-being of their talent, especially minors who may be more vulnerable to exploitation.
Moreover, the allegations against Dan Schneider and others highlight the pervasive nature of abuse of power in hierarchical structures. Schneider’s position of authority allowed him to have control over the creative process and the individuals involved in his productions, creating an environment where abuse could run rampant. This underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability at all levels of the industry.
Content Advisory: This article contains references to suspected s*xual assault. For years, there have been rumors about Nickelodeon’s sinister past. Celebrities like Alexa Nikolas and Jennette McCurdy have spoken out about the hostile work environment that exists behind the scenes at the children’s television network. And all this is now revealed in a new documentary. Calm on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV debuted on D and Max on March 17 and featured interviews with a variety of artists and writers who witnessed the real-life events that took place on set, directed by former network golden boy Dan Schneider.
The main subject of the documentary is Schneider, a writer and producer who started his career on All That. Schneider is responsible for several of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows, such as The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, and Sam & Cat. Nickelodeon severed its relationship with Schneider in 2018 when it was revealed that Schneider was the subject of an investigation into verbal abuse on his shows.
But the documentary says there is much more to the story.
Many of Schneider’s intimate associates on Quiet on Set claimed that he fostered a disturbing atmosphere at Nickelodeon and often crossed s*xual lines both on and off the show.
After the premiere of the first two parts of the four-part documentary, Schneider responded to the allegations made against him.
On March 18, a rep for Schneider told The Hollywood Reporter, “Everything that happened on the shows that Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by the dozens of adults involved and approved by the network.” bad in any way. Recall that network executives on both coasts gave their full approval to all dialogue, plots, costumes, and make-up. Each script was studied and ultimately authorized by the standards and procedures group, and each episode was reviewed and approved by program executives. In addition, parents, guardians, and their friends were constantly present during filming and rehearsals.”
The most surprising revelations from Quiet on Set are below.
2. Allegedly there were intentionally s*xual characters and scenes
A number of Amanda Show writers and All That cast members recalled how the shows would subtly include explicit s*xual references, such as numerous gags about young men masturbating and ejaculating. Schneider was reportedly referring to genitalia when naming Penelope Taynt, the character played by Amanda Bynes, according to two writers for The Amanda Show.
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Star of All That Leon Frierson talked about how difficult it was to wear leotards all the time, especially when he portrayed the nose-themed superhero with genitalia. Several interviewees for Quiet on Set discussed Schneider’s penchant for crude humor and his desire to keep adult content out of his shows.
3. All That & Amanda’s dialogue coach allegedly s*xually assaulted Drake Bell
Brian Peck worked with Schneider as a dialect coach on All That and The Amanda Show. In 2003, he was arrested for indecent acts against a minor. Drake Bell didn’t come forward and say he was the one who filed the lawsuit against Peck until the latest documents. Bell noted how Peck’s “mental manipulation” had a profound effect on him, making him feel “trapped” and as if “there was no way out” of his predicament.
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He described in great detail how Peck began taking him to auditions himself after he cut ties with his father, who had served as his manager until then. Bell often ended these trips with a nap on Peck’s couch. Bell claimed that Peck convinced Bell’s mother to trust him, so when he woke up one morning to find Peck s*xually abusing him, he didn’t know how to respond.
Revealing to the cameras just how terrible things happened, Bell said: “Think about the worst things that someone can do to someone, like s*xually assaulting someone, and that answers your question.” As things kept getting worse.
After his girlfriend’s mother noticed that Peck was becoming more controlled, Bell had the courage to report Peck to the authorities.
4. Writers on the Amanda show reportedly experienced humiliation and unfair compensation
The only two writers on The Amanda Show, Christy Stratton, and Jenny Kilgen, recalled Schneider making fun of the women’s lack of humor and paying them to quickly eat cartons of ice cream or forcing them to act out s*xual scenarios while pitching ideas.
After Stratton and Kilgen discovered they were only being paid half as much as their male co-stars, they left the show and sued it for gender discrimination.
5. And P.A. He is allegedly s*xually harassed by Amanda Show Extra.
Former child star Brandi’s mother has revealed how one of the production assistants on The Amanda Show started sending her lewd emails after her teenage daughter appeared as an extra. The alleged email contained a picture of P.A. Jason Handy performing a s*xual act while naked. Handy’s inappropriate activities with youth led to his imprisonment in 2003.
6. Amanda Bynes and Dan Schneider reportedly had an awkward close relationship.
The crew of All That and The Amanda Show claimed that Bynes and Schneider grew close while working together. According to Frierson, Bynes regularly left the All That cast’s studio sessions to pitch his ideas to Schneider and routinely offered him neck massages during filming. The documentary also featured ominous sketches featuring the two, such as one in which Schneider joked that he created the scene to create this scenario when they appeared together in a hot tub.
Bynes’ puberty with her parents is said to have involved Schneider as well.
While working on the sitcom What I Like About You, which she co-created with Schneider, Bynes apparently went to Schneider for help when she tried to legally separate from her parents at the age of 16.
7. For several cast members, On-Air Dare was traumatic
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All That star Bryan Hearne has revealed that the most painful part of the experience for him and his co-stars was being on On-Air Dare, a spinoff series that aims to serve as a children’s version of Fear Factor. The show put the youngsters in really scary and embarrassing situations, such as having a live scorpion shoved into their mouths or being smeared with peanut butter and licked by dogs. In retrospect, Hearne and his co-stars believed it was not a show suitable for a young audience.
The revelations from “Quiet On Set” have sparked important conversations about accountability, transparency, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in the entertainment industry. It’s not just about addressing specific allegations against individuals like Dan Schneider; it’s about recognizing and fixing systemic problems that allow such behavior to persist unchecked.
Additionally, the documentary serves as a wake-up call for parents, guardians, and industry professionals to prioritize the safety and well-being of children and young artists. Disturbing reports of abuse and exploitation underscore the need for robust safeguards, rigorous oversight, and comprehensive support systems to protect those most vulnerable.
Beyond Nickelodeon, the revelations from “Quiet On Set” encourage us to explore broader questions about power dynamics, consent, and ethical behavior in the entertainment industry. It forces us to reflect on our collective responsibility to create an environment free of harassment, discrimination, and exploitation, regardless of age, gender, or status.
Ultimately, the impact of “Quiet On Set” goes far beyond a single network or docu-series. It challenges us to face uncomfortable truths, hold perpetrators accountable, and advocate for meaningful change. Only through collective action and commitment to justice can we hope to prevent similar abuses in the future and create a safer and fairer world for all.