In a bonus episode of ‘Quiet On Set,’ new information and allegations against former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider and former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck are coming to light. Additionally, Drake Bell is sharing his thoughts on the public’s reaction to the series.
Drake Bell Speaks On Reactions To ‘Quiet On Set,’ His Mother & Josh Peck
According to US Weekly, the ‘Quiet Set’ bonus episode, titled “Breaking the Silence,” was released on Sunday, April 7. Deadline reports that the episode featured recent discussions with former Nickelodeon actors.
During the episode, Bell explained why he chose to participate in the series and reveal he was sexually assaulted by Peck.
“The choice to participate was a tough one. It was a really hard decision to make because I was approached before and I wasn’t ready and said no,” he said, per US Weekly. “But when the people from [this] doc reached out to me… I was able to feel like I could open up… and I just felt, ‘Maybe this is the time to tell my story.'”
During his sitdown, Bell also responded to the backlash his mother, Robin Dodson, has received. To note, Bell was under Dodson’s sole care during the time he was sexually assaulted by Brian Peck.
“There’s a lot of people who after the doc went after my mom a bit. But if you were in that situation at that time, [Brian] was so good at what he was doing,” Bell explained, per the outlet. “Brian was calculated and he knew exactly what to say and how to say it. I completely understand how he just pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes. It is tragic.”
Additionally, Bell shared an update on where his relationship with his former ‘Drake & Josh’ co-star, Josh Peck, stands today. As The Shade Room previously reported, Peck received backlash for initially remaining silent publicly after Bell revealed his sexual assault during the series.
“I know what it is like to have the internet attack you for really nothing. He had reached out to me and we have been talking,” Bell reportedly explained. “This is a really difficult thing to process but at the end of the day, we have such a close connection and unique bond that is so rare in this industry. It is really special and he is a really great person.”
Drake Bell Reacts To The Allegations Against Dan Schneider
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According to US Weekly, Bell also reacted to the allegations against Dan Schneider in the bonus episode. As The Shade Room previously reported, Schneider was accused of sexualizing child actors, promoting an uncomfortable work environment, and utilizing racism in his skits.
Additionally, former Nick actors described their relationship with Schneider as having an abusive nature.
“It was very hard to watch,” Bell explained, seemingly referring to the accounts from Nick actors shared during the initial four episodes. “I can only speak to my experience and I can’t take away from anyone else’s experience. I can just say that during this time with Brian, Dan was really the only one from the network who even made an effort to help me and make sure I was OK.”
Giovonnie Samuels & Bryan Hearne React To Dan Schneider's Apology Video
However, former ‘All That’ actors Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne had different sentiments for Schneider.
During the bonus episode, the pair reacted to an apology video released by the former Nick producer days after the docuseries aired. As The Shade Room previously reported, in the 19-minute interview-style video, Schneider admitted to owing some people in his cast and crew “a pretty strong apology.”
“The thing about his interview as a whole is I just thought it was funny. If I could be candid, Dan was an actor before all of this. I think he brushed off some chops and gave us a nice performance,” Hearne explained. “…I just feel like what is an apology without accountability?”
According to Deadline, Samuels added that before the release of ‘Quiet On Set,’ Schneider reached out to her asking for “a quote of support.”
However, in response, Samuels told Schneider she was “terrified” of him.
“He reached out a week before the doc aired and he asked if I could give a quote of support. He knew I was in the doc for a year. He asked because I did come back to do ‘Henry Danger’ some time later,” Samuels explained, per US Weekly. “I told him I was terrified of him. I don’t know if he was surprised by that. I was intimidated [by him].”
A Former 'All That' Actor Comes Forward With Allegations Against Brian Peck
During the bonus episode, a former Nickelodeon actor who starred in ‘All That’ came forward with their own allegations about their experience at Nick.
Shane Lyons revealed that Bell’s assault also made “passes” at him. Additionally, he ultimately found himself abruptly fired from the network when he was 16 years old.
“…he asked what blue balls was,” Lyons explained, recalling on particular on-set experience with Peck, per US Weekly. “I thought they were racquet balls. Some kind of conversation was happening in the green room and we get called to set and Brian follows behind me and I am alone. Brian sits next to me and in the previous conversation they were talking about blue balls. He was like, ‘Well, we know what blue balls are, right, Shane?’ I’m a kid and as I think back now, would I ever have a conversation with a 13-year-old boy like he had with me? No. It makes absolutely no sense.”
Lyons went on to praise Bell’s bravery in sharing his sexual assault and called for there to be legal reform prohibiting convicted child molesters from being present on production sets.
US Weekly reports that it has reached out to Brian Peck for a statement. Peck has yet to respond.