Key Takeaways:
– Actor Drake Bell has voiced discontent with Nickelodeon’s response to his revelations in the docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
– Bell criticized the network for still airing content featuring actors who allege abuse and not offering support or therapy.
– Nickelodeon has pledged to investigate the accusations made by Bell and foster a safe working environment.
Former Nickelodeon star, Drake Bell has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the network’s responses to the harrowing experiences of child actors and crew members exposed in the four-part docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
Bell’s Accusations Unveiled in Quiet on Set
Bell broke his silence during the third installment of the Investigation Discovery series where he accused, his then dialogue coach, Brian Peck of sexual assault. Bell’s allegations came to light when he was a teenager on the Nickelodeon show Drake and Josh.
The actor recently shared his views on the network’s reactions to the documentary in which he featured, during The Sarah Fraser Show podcast. He argued that Nickelodeon’s statement was a meticulously crafted response by an attorney, intended to neither confirm nor deny knowledge of the abuse.
Brushing Off the Issue: Nickelodeon’s Stance Questioned
Bell lamented how the network has continued to air shows featuring actors claiming abuse. He also criticized the corporation for neglecting to extend help for the necessary therapy these former child actors and crew members might need.
Bell felt that Nickelodeon’s vague reactions and lack of support differed greatly from how an organization genuinely concerned about the welfare of their employees might react. His dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that the network profits from reruns of the very shows that have been the source of trauma for many of the former cast.
Taking His Trauma to a Larger Platform
Despite dealing with personal issues and undergoing rehab, Bell decided to share his past experiences in the Quiet on Set documentary. He credited this decision to director Emma Schwartz, whom he believed was committed to offering a platform for the victims to voice their trauma.
Nickelodeon Responds to Bell’s Allegations
Following the release of the docuseries, Variety received a statement from a Nickelodeon representative addressing Bell’s accusations. They expressed their sadness on learning of Bell’s trauma and commended him for his courage to open up about the experience.
Committed to a Safe Workplace: Nickelodeon’s Promise
The network representative also asserted that an investigation would be conducted into the incident. Nickelodeon further expressed its commitment to foster a safe and professional work environment, free of any harassment or inappropriate conduct.
Peck’s Criminal Record Comes to Light
In 2003, Peck was arrested on multiple charges, including sodomy, lewd act upon a child, and oral copulation using a controlled substance. Following the airing of Quiet on Set, Bell revealed himself as the unnamed victim of the case that had remained silent for over two decades.
As victims such as Bell seek justice and a platform to share their experiences, networks like Nickelodeon will need to evaluate their responses and establish a safer environment for future generations of actors.
