Drake Bell Expresses Disappointment Over Nickelodeon's Lackluster Response to 'Quiet on Set'

Drake Bell Isn't Satisfied With Nickelodeon's ‘Pretty Empty’ Response to 'Quiet on Set'

Drake Bell Rich Fury/WireImage

Drake Bell expressed his disappointment in Nickelodeon for their lackluster response to the Investigation Discovery documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. In the documentary, he reveals his experience of sexual abuse by dialogue and acting coach Brian Peck.

In a recent episode of “The Sarah Fraser Show” podcast, the 37-year-old Drake & Josh star spoke out for the first time since the release of the docuseries. He criticized Nickelodeon for their response, saying that it seemed "pretty empty." According to Bell, the network's statement seemed carefully crafted to avoid taking responsibility or acknowledging any prior knowledge of the abuse. He speculated that a high-profile attorney in Hollywood likely composed the response.

Bell expressed his disappointment with Nickelodeon's responses, feeling that they lacked sincerity. He mentioned that despite still airing their shows, he had to pay for his own therapy and find answers on his own. Bell believed that if Nickelodeon truly cared, their response would have been more than just quotes from a legal representative.

After the release of Quiet on Set, Nickelodeon issued a statement.

Nickelodeon investigates all formal complaints to maintain a safe and professional workplace, free of harassment and inappropriate behavior. The well-being of employees, cast, crew, and children is our top priority. We have implemented safeguards to meet high standards and audience expectations.

Nickelodeon expressed dismay and sadness at the trauma endured by Drake Bell, who revealed himself as the plaintiff in a 2004 case. We commend his strength in coming forward and offer our support.

Bell shares in Quiet on Set about his experience of alleged abuse by Peck. It is important to note that Peck is not related to Bell's former Nickelodeon costar, Josh Peck. According to Bell, Brian allegedly groomed and assaulted him when he was just 15 years old. In the documentary, Bell describes the abuse as "extensive" and "brutal."

Drake Bell Isn't Satisfied With Nickelodeon's ‘Pretty Empty’ Response to 'Quiet on Set'

Drake Bell was spotted at the 9th Annual American Society of Young Musician’s Spring Benefit concert in Los Angeles on May 31, 2001. Gary Livingston/Getty Images

In August 2003, Brian faced arrest following allegations of sexually abusing a child whose identity was not disclosed at the time. He admitted to committing a lewd act with a victim who was approximately 14 or 15 years old, as well as engaging in oral copulation with a minor under the age of 16. Consequently, he received a 16-month prison sentence after pleading no contest.

Quiet on Set recently brought to light allegations of emotional abuse and sexualization of child actors against Dan Schneider, the Nickelodeon executive and creator of Drake & Josh. Schneider addressed these allegations in a video released after the documentary premiered last week.

In an interview with iCarly alum BooG!e on Tuesday, March 19, the 58-year-old Schneider admitted that watching the documentary was very difficult for him. He acknowledged his past behaviors, some of which he finds embarrassing and regrets. Schneider expressed his willingness to apologize to those he may have wronged.

Schneider denied the toxic workplace accusations in a statement released by his spokesperson. He mentioned that everything on the shows Dan ran was carefully reviewed by many adults and approved by the network. If there were any inappropriate scenes or outfits, they would have been caught and stopped by this thorough process.

All stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on both coasts. A group dedicated to standards and practices read and approved every script, while programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes. Additionally, parents, caregivers, and friends were always present on set during filming and rehearsals.

Several hours after Bell's interview with Fraser, he shared a song on Saturday, March 23 via X. He reportedly wrote this song following Brian's abuse. The lyrics include lines such as: "And where have you

Drake Bell Isn't Satisfied With Nickelodeon's ‘Pretty Empty’ Response to 'Quiet on Set'

Drake Bell. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Bell shared with Fraser that he has been processing a lot this week since his story aired. Fortunately, he has a strong support system to help him deal with the discussions surrounding the project. Initially, he was scared to share his experience in this way. However, one of the Quiet on Set directors, Emma Schwartz, made him feel at ease and confident to speak openly.

During the Friday podcast, Bell mentioned that he felt a special connection with Emma. He described her as very caring and they quickly formed a bond. He felt that she genuinely cared about him and was not just trying to get him involved for the sake of the project. This made him feel comfortable and supported in sharing his story.

Bell shared that opening up to someone outside of his family, like Schwartz, about his experience felt really good. This led him to take the step of seeking treatment. He mentioned feeling at ease during the interview, but his personal struggles prompted him to check himself into rehab afterwards. Bell described undergoing various therapies to address his trauma, including group sessions, one-on-one counseling, and processing his feelings with a clear mind. Through this process, he realized the importance of facing his issues head-on and decided to continue sharing his story as he moved towards feeling more comfortable and closer to recovery.

Many former Nickelodeon stars have shown their support for Bell after the documentary was released. Josh Peck, his longtime costar, shared his thoughts on Instagram on March 21. He mentioned reaching out to Drake privately and expressed his support for the survivors who came forward with stories of abuse on Nickelodeon sets. Peck emphasized the importance of protecting children and the bravery of those who shared their experiences. He acknowledged the difficulty of reliving these events publicly but hoped it would lead to healing for the victims and their families, as well as bring about necessary changes in the industry.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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