Drake Bell Addresses 'Ned’s Declassified' Cast Over Nickelodeon Allegations Banter

Drake Bell Calls Out Ned Declassified Stars for Nickelodeon Doc Jokes

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Drake Bell criticized Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee for making light of the Nickelodeon docuseries Quiet on Set. The series provided Bell with a platform to share his experiences of sexual abuse during his time as a child star.

Investigation Discovery's four-part documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, aired on Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18, shedding light on the harmful work environment at Nickelodeon.

Bell, 37, was the focus of two episodes that discussed his lawsuit against dialogue coach Brian Peck. Peck, 63, faced charges in 2003 for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, later revealed to be Bell. Peck pleaded no contest and received a 16-month prison sentence for his actions.

Werkheiser, Shaw, and Lee, known for their roles on Ned's Declassified, shared a TikTok live video where they briefly addressed the Nickelodeon abuse allegations. They made it clear that their experience on set was different from the reported incidents.

Werkheiser, 33, scolded Lee, 32, for speaking about something they shouldn't have. "Sorry, we shouldn't joke about this. Our set was not like that. The Drake Bell situation is crazy to hear about. It's awful," Werkheiser expressed. "And that never came out, which is really wild."

Drake Bell Calls Out Ned Declassified Stars for Nickelodeon Doc Jokes

Lindsey Shaw, Devon Werkheiser, and Daniel Curtis Lee are seen in Getty Images (3).

After being called out by a TikTok user, Werkheiser and Shaw, who are both 34 years old, decided to take back their jokes. Werkheiser, while laughing, said, "I'm not talking about this anymore. Not talking about this anymore. Guys, we can't joke like this, Jesus. Sometimes humor helps us move through things."

Bell shared the video via X on Monday, writing, “Ned’s Declassless…this is wild…laugh it up guys…laugh it up. ‘Give me your h*les!!’ Really?!”

Drake Bell Calls Out Ned Declassified Stars for Nickelodeon Doc Jokes

In the docuseries, Bell opened up about his experience of being groomed by Peck and assaulted at the age of 15. He described the abuse as "extensive" and "brutal" during a particularly emotional moment in the ID special.

"I'm not sure how to explain it on camera. Just imagine the worst things someone can do to another person as a form of sexual assault, that's the answer," he explained. "I can't think of any other way to say it. It wasn't just a one-time occurrence."

In addition to Bell opening up about his experience, Quiet on Set also included interviews with former cast and crew members discussing producer Dan Schneider's controversial time at the network.

Schneider, the founder and copresident of Schneider’s Bakery production company, has been involved in the creation, writing, and production of successful shows like All That, Drake & Josh, iCarly, Sam & Cat, The Amanda Show, Victorious, and Zoey 101. In 2018, Schneider left Nickelodeon after facing allegations of misconduct.

Despite the accusations, Schneider denied any wrongdoing in an interview with The New York Times in June 2021. He stated, “The humor in my shows was always innocent. I never engaged with actors in a way that would make them feel uncomfortable, whether through texting or any other means.”

Nickelodeon addressed concerns about allegations from past productions by stating that they take all formal complaints seriously. They are committed to maintaining a safe and professional work environment, free from harassment. The well-being of their employees, casts, crew, and children is their top priority. Over the years, they have implemented various measures to uphold their high standards and meet the expectations of their audience.

A representative for Dan Schneider also responded to the allegations. They emphasized that Dan genuinely cared for the children on his shows, especially when their families were not able to provide support. He understood the challenges they faced and supported them wholeheartedly. Many of the young actors found themselves in the difficult position of being the primary breadwinners for their families, leading to immense pressure.

The statement also mentioned the challenges of growing up in the spotlight while balancing a demanding job as a child. This is why there are various levels of standards and expectations from executives, lawyers, teachers, and parents on every set, every day. However, being a kid in this environment is tough, and no one understood this better than Dan.

We have contacted Werkheiser, Shaw, and Lee for their comments.

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