Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell opened up about his experiences and emotions surrounding the reactions to the docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV during Episode 5. The episode delved into the case of former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck, who pleaded no contest to charges of sexually abusing Bell. Bell expressed his shock at the level of support Peck received in the courtroom from various Hollywood figures during his sentencing.
Bell revealed that he and his family were the only ones present from his side during the court proceedings, while Peck had a courtroom full of support from industry insiders. Bell was surprised to learn that 41 letters from known celebrities were written in support of Peck, which came to light when the court was asked to unseal the letters. The episode featured an interview with journalist Soledad O’Brien, where Bell discussed the support Peck received from former Boy Meets World actors Rider Strong and Will Friedle, who expressed regret for their actions in a podcast.
While Bell acknowledged that everyone deals with trauma differently, he expressed disappointment that none of the celebrities who supported Peck reached out to him. However, Bell later revealed that he had a positive conversation with Rider Strong, expressing love and forgiveness towards him. Bell also shared his experience with former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider, who was accused of questionable behavior and a toxic culture at Nickelodeon. Despite the allegations against Schneider, he was the only one who offered support to Bell during his crisis.
Bell defended his former Drake & Josh co-star Josh Peck in the face of online criticism for not publicly addressing the allegations against him. Bell emphasized the close bond they share and said that they have been in contact and are supporting each other through this difficult time. The episode shed light on the complexities of dealing with trauma and navigating relationships in the entertainment industry, with Bell expressing his gratitude towards those who have reached out to him and shown support. Ultimately, the episode highlighted the importance of addressing difficult topics and the power of healing and forgiveness.
