Saved by the Bell’s Mark-Paul Gosselaar Expresses Concern for 'Quiet on Set' Cast Members

Shanola Hampton & Mark-Paul Gosselaar Visit the Empire State Building

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Mark-Paul Gosselaar understands what the former Nickelodeon stars in the Quiet on Set docuseries went through, even though his own experience as a child star was very different.

In an interview with Page Six published on Tuesday, April 9, Gosselaar, who is 50 years old, expressed feeling really sorry for them. He mentioned that he couldn't relate because the set he worked on was not run in the same way. Gosselaar added that he thinks the cast of his show is all pretty much unaffected by those experiences.

Gosselaar, known for his role as Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell from 1989 to 1993, mentioned that he and his co-stars had a supportive environment with "good family" and "good producers" looking out for them. He also highlighted the presence of dedicated on-set teachers. He expressed sympathy for anyone, especially children, who had to face difficult situations.

Saved by the Bell aired for four seasons on NBC, showcasing the adventures of Zack and his friends at Bayside High School in California. The cast included Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, Dustin Diamond, and Mario Lopez. While Gosselaar acknowledged that the show provided a positive atmosphere, he also recognized the challenges of being in the spotlight at a young age.

From my own experience, I can say that I was very aware that it was all about business. People would sometimes do anything just to make a profit.

"The Dark Side of Kids TV" sheds light on the negative experiences of former child stars and crew members who worked on Nickelodeon shows in the 1990s and early 2000s. This includes popular shows like All That and The Amanda Show. The focus is primarily on producer Dan Schneider's impact on the show sets and the allegations made by Drake Bell against dialogue coach Brian Peck. It is important to note that Brian Peck, who is not related to Drake's costar Josh Peck, was convicted in 2004 for sexually assaulting a minor and sentenced to 16 months in prison.

After the recent release of the five-part docuseries, many former child stars have spoken out about the allegations and shared their own experiences from the set. Melissa Joan Hart, known for her role on Nick's Clarissa Explains It All from 1991 to 1994, expressed her support for the victims, believing them completely. Despite this, she described her time with the network as mostly positive and pleasant.

Similar to Gosselaar, Hart, who is now 47 years old, also felt the challenges and pressures of being a child star during her time in the industry.

During a March episode of the “Meghan McCain Has Entered the Chat” podcast, Hart admitted that the shows were pushing the kids harder than they should. However, she praised the “amazing crew” and “incredible cast” that made her feel safe.

Filming Clarissa in Florida, Hart mentioned that the location may have influenced the different experiences. She speculated that there might be a distinction between Orlando Nickelodeon and Hollywood Nickelodeon. While working in Orlando, away from the executives in New York, she had a positive and wonderful experience.

Steve Burns, known for his role as Steve in the beloved Nick Jr. show Blue’s Clues from 1996 to 2002, agreed with Hart's opinion that the filming location could have had an impact. During an interview with Today.com on Sunday, April 7, the actor pointed out that their show was based in New York, while the other shows were in Los Angeles. He noted that there was no connection or overlap between the different productions.

Burns, who is 50 years old, mentioned that he does not have any special information about the accusations against Schneider and Peck. However, he expressed that he feels just like everyone else - shocked and saddened by the situation. He described it as terrible to witness and admitted that he is at a loss for words, other than to say that it is heartbreaking.

Editor's P/S:

Mark-Paul Gosselaar's empathetic response to the disturbing allegations in the Quiet on Set docuseries underscores the stark contrast between his positive childhood acting experience and the reported abuses endured by former Nickelodeon stars. While Gosselaar credits