Considering the imminent release of the “Quiet on Set” docuseries investigating allegations of child abuse within the Nickelodeon entertainment sphere, the trio felt an urgent need to confront their association with Mr. Peck.
“It’s disheartening to realize I missed the signs,” Mr. Friedle admitted. “I'd known this man for years, yet had no inkling of what was happening.”
Mr. Strong echoed Mr. Friedle’s sentiments, reflecting on the insidious nature of Mr. Peck’s manipulation: “We were taken in by someone who knew how to play the part. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Mr. Peck’s ability to befriend the cast despite the age difference in the actors left Ms. Fishel contemplating the complexities: “We trusted him, only to realize the depth of his deception.” Mr. Peck, then in his 40s, made fleeting appearances in just two episodes of the teenage sitcom, which aired from 1993 to 2000 on ABC. Despite his brief stint, he swiftly forged friendships with Mr. Friedle and Mr. Strong.
Recalling a conversation with Mr. Peck during the height of the allegations, Mr. Friedle shared Mr. Peck’s attempt to shift blame, “He painted himself as the victim, trying to evade accountability.”
In the podcast, Mr. Strong recollected feeling conflicted when Mr. Peck sought their support in court, saying, “Standing by him felt like a betrayal to the real victims.”
In 2003, Mr. Peck faced accusations of molesting a child, leading to his subsequent arrest on eight counts of sexual abuse. He was convicted of a lewd act involving a minor and oral copulation with an individual under the age of 16, resulting in a 16-month prison sentence.
Despite the passage of time, Mr. Friedle admitted lingering remorse, “I can’t shake the feeling of being complicit, even now.”
The podcast concluded with a poignant reminder from Ms. Fishel: “We must continue to shine a light on manipulation and offer support to those affected.”
Natanya Ross, who co-starred in the series and has been a frequent guest on the podcast, chimed in and offered her support for the victims. Speaking to The Epoch Times, the actress noted, “As actors, we’re trained to read between the lines, but sometimes the most sinister intentions can hide in plain sight. Parents, children, and co-stars should not blame themselves for these crimes.”
Ms. Ross commended her co-stars’ strength in addressing Mr. Peck and shining a light on his crimes: “Awareness and vigilance are important because as great as this industry is, there are dark sides. We just have to have empathy and support for victims.”
Quiet On Set
“Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” is a forthcoming four-part documentary series slated to premiere on March 17. This investigative project aims to delve into Dan Schneider’s significant influence at Nickelodeon during the early 2000s, shedding light on allegations of abuse and discrimination faced by child actors and staff members on set.Investigation Discovery recently unveiled the trailer for “Quiet on Set,” offering viewers a glimpse into Mr. Schneider’s on-set behavior and addressing the sensitive topic of sexual assault.
Throughout his tenure at Nickelodeon, Mr. Schneider was the creative force behind numerous hit shows, including “All That,” “Kenan & Kel,” “The Amanda Show,” “What I Like About You,” “Drake & Josh,” “Zoey 101,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” and “Henry Danger,” among others.
In 2018, Nickelodeon announced its decision to part ways with Mr. Schneider following complaints about his alleged behavior. Reports suggested that Mr. Schneider’s temper and inappropriate conduct, such as photographing young actresses’ feet, contributed to the termination of his contract.
According to a 2021 report by The New York Times, Nickelodeon’s parent company uncovered evidence of Mr. Schneider verbally abusing colleagues on set and through electronic communication. However, no evidence of sexual misconduct was found.
In a subsequent 2022 report by Insider, allegations of gender discrimination against Mr. Schneider by former actors and employees surfaced. It was also alleged that he would request massages from female colleagues.
These allegations have set the stage for the forthcoming documentary series about Mr. Schneider, featuring interviews with former colleagues, actors, and actresses from the Nickelodeon productions he oversaw.
The trailer for “Quiet on Set” hints at discussions surrounding Mr. Schneider’s behavior on set, reports of individuals with predatory tendencies, and the harrowing experience of a child actor who was sexually abused in 2004. The series is poised to explore these themes and more across its four episodes.
“Quiet on Set” will incorporate commentary from former actors, writers, producers, and other industry insiders, sharing their firsthand experiences of discrimination and abuse while working on Nickelodeon shows.
The documentary will premiere with two episodes on Sunday, March 17, followed by two additional episodes on Monday, March 18. Each evening, the episodes will air at 8 p.m. CST and run until 10 p.m. on Investigation Discovery.
