BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Nickelodeon ‘should have done more’ for Drake Bell: Documentary producer

  • Docuseries sheds light on toxic culture of some Nickelodeon shows
  • Show features accusations of inappropriate behavior and sex abuse
  • Kate Taylor said she was surprised at Dan Schneider's apology

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

maylen

https://digital-stage.newsnationnow.com/

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(NewsNation) — The producer of the docuseries revealing what went on behind the scenes says Nickelodeon “should have done more” to protect child actors.

The new docuseries is shedding a disturbing light on what went on behind the scenes of some of the most popular shows on Nickelodeon in the 1990s and 2000s. That includes actor Drake Bell, who accused Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck of repeatedly sexually abusing him.

Journalist Kate Taylor, who first reported on Nickelodeon for Business Insider in 2022 and served as an executive producer for the documentary told “NewsNation Prime” the network should have done more to harbor a safer environment for the child actors.

“Drake probably said it best where he told me even doing something small such as offering therapy after his abuser was arrested, that could have done a lot,” Taylor said. “Nickelodeon should have done more for him.”

The allegations focus on some of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows, including “All That,” “The Amanda Show,” “Drake and Josh,” “Zoey 101,” “iCarly,” and “Victorious,” all of which had Dan Schneider at the helm. Schneider, a prominent figure in children’s television, is accused of fostering a hostile work environment, intimidating young cast and crew members, and subjecting them to abuse.

In a video posted to Schneider’s YouTube channel, the former producer said the series was “embarrassing,” and that he owed some people “a pretty strong apology.”

Taylor said she was surprised at Schneider’s apology. “The way he spoke out was … in a bit of a controlled environment in an interview that was published on his own YouTube channel,” Taylor said.

However, Taylor remains skeptical of Schneider’s sincerity, noting that it took the entire documentary series for him to respond to the allegations publicly. She also emphasized the need for greater support and protection for child actors in the industry.

The documentary highlights Schneider’s power at Nickelodeon and includes testimonies from former workers who allege he humiliated and scared his young cast. Additionally, women working for Schneider claim they were forced to provide him with massages on set.

Schneider’s shows have also come under fire for featuring suggestive jokes and veiled sexual material involving underage stars.

The series also delves into other cases of abuse behind the scenes at Nickelodeon, including those involving production assistant Jason Handy and animator Ezel Channel.

While Nickelodeon claims to have implemented changes to prevent such incidents in the future, questions remain about the network’s handling of these issues.

Despite the damning allegations, there are conflicting accounts from former cast members, with some, like Katrina Johnson who told NewsNation‘s “Dan Abrams Live” about her positive experiences with Schneider.

Taylor attributes this divide to the common dynamics seen in inappropriate workplaces, where certain individuals are targeted while others are protected.

NewsNation’s Tom Palmer contributed to this report.

Entertainment

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Fair

la

56°F Fair Feels like 56°
Wind
3 mph NE
Humidity
68%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.
46°F A few passing clouds. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NNE
Precip
2%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous