(NewsNation) — A 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.
