The vibrant and humorous TV shows that entertained children in the ’90s and 2000s hid a darker reality for the young actors involved, as revealed in the forthcoming Investigation Discovery (ID) documentary titled “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.”
This eye-opening documentary is set to premiere on Sunday. It aims to pull back the curtain on the golden era of Nickelodeon, exposing the toxic and sometimes abusive conditions that some of the biggest child stars of the time claim to have endured.
The film draws inspiration from investigative journalism by Kate Taylor of Business Insider. It brings to light the stories of former Nickelodeon stars, including those who are speaking out for the first time. Among them is Drake Bell, who has recently come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck.
Viewers can expect to see other familiar faces such as Alexa Nikolas from “Zoe 101” and members of the “All That” cast, as well as individuals who worked behind the scenes on these iconic shows. While some, like Nikolas, have been vocal about their experiences for some time, others, like Bell, are sharing their stories publicly for the first time.
The documentary will feature a range of participants, from Drake Bell, who will discuss his experiences of abuse, to Alexa Nikolas, who has been outspoken about bullying and a toxic work environment on “Zoe 101.” Additionally, cast members from “All That” will share their first public accounts of their time at Nickelodeon, including a particularly distressing stunt described by Bryan Hearne.
Marc Summers, known for hosting “Double Dare,” will also appear, sharing insights alongside other adults and parents who tried to advocate for their children on set.
Behind-the-scenes talents such as “All That” director Virgil Fabian and writers from “The Amanda Show” are set to contribute, offering a broader perspective on the environment at Nickelodeon during this era.
“Quiet on Set” promises to shed light on the experiences of Nickelodeon stars like Drake Bell in detail, as well as other former stars who have previously spoken out against the network. These include Jennette McCurdy, who discussed her negative experiences in her memoir, and Daniella Monet, who raised concerns about the sexualization of young actors.
The documentary “Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV” will premiere on Investigation Discovery (ID) on Sunday, March 17, at 9 p.m. ET, with the series airing in two parts. It will be available through certain cable subscriptions and live TV streaming services such as Fubo, DirecTV, Philo, and Sling, and will also be accessible for streaming on platforms like Max, Prime Video, Apple TV, and The Roku Channel after its release.