No Longer Quiet on Set: “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” highlights the abusive treatment of child actors at Nickelodeon and delivers the truth behind shows everyone grew up watching

As a kid, classic Nickelodeon shows like “iCarly” and “Zoey 101” were a staple in my day-to-day life. So, when I recently watched “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” — a new docu-series on Hulu and HBO Max highlighting the toxic culture on the sets of Nickelodeon shows from the early 2000s — I questioned the working conditions of shows that were the foundation of my tween upbringing. 

“Quiet on Set” delivers a shockingly heartbreaking truth about the TV shows every Nickelodeon kid grew up binge-watching. 

Dan Schneider —  the producer of seven popular Nickelodeon shows including “The Amanda Show” and “Victorious” — is the main focus of the series.

While the series focuses on Schneider’s economic influence on the company with the immensely popular shows, it also highlights his disgusting treatment of women and child actors. After watching this show, I was shocked that Nickelodeon let his behavior continue over two decades, and makes me question the morals of a company I grew up idolizing.

Even though Schneider started working with Nickelodeon on “All That,” his fame — and shame — began with “The Amanda Show.” 

During his time on “The Amanda Show” he made then-13-year-old and star of his breakout show, Amanda Bynes, work late into the night rather than allowing her to do her schoolwork with her other teenage castmates. 

It’s no wonder that Bynes stopped acting in 2010 after Schneider followed her around to all of her post-Nickelodeon jobs by getting jobs on the set as well. 

Castmates and people who spoke on the docu-series mentioned Schneider’s obsessive and borderline creepy behavior with Bynes including making her get in a hot tub with him for a scene — ew. 

Knowing there was a requirement for all child stars being accompanied by a parent at all times, I continuously wondered how no one spoke up about his behavior patterns while on set.

Although the show doesn’t go in detail about Schneider and Bynes’ relationship, his lasting impact can be seen by her inpatient psychiatric holds and ultimately falling under a conservatorship with her parents. 

Also on “The Amanda Show,” Schneider hired two female writers to work under a dual salary. The women spoke about sexual comments he made towards them and his unwillingness to pay them separately. 

The first hand accounts from the women and photos of them filled in a room with all male writers added to the storyline of sexual discrimination among the writing staff. 

Schneider’s sexism resulted in a lawsuit involving one of the female writers, and yet he still didn’t face any repercussions. 

In fact, the closest thing to a punishment Schneider received before being let go from Nickelodeon was after “Sam & Cat” actress Jeanette McCurdy’s mom died in 2013, he was no longer allowed to interact with the cast members. 

Finally.

McCurdy was required to come back to filming less than a week after her mom’s passing, which was one of the first times Schneider’s abusive and strict role was talked about publically among other cast members.

After 19 years of repetitive abuse, it’s shocking Schnieder had only been reprimanded once. 

Ultimately, after 24 years at Nickelodeon — and a Lifetime Achievement Nick Choice Award in 2014 — Schneider was let go due to inappropriate and unprofessional behaviors on set. 

He should’ve been punished for his actions long before his exit from Nickelodeon, but better late than never?

While Schneider wasn’t on the docu-series, he denied most of the accusations the former stars mentioned. 

But Schenider wasn’t the only issue. 

Mother of then-11-year-old Brandi — an extra on “The Amanda Show” — spoke out about production assistant Jason Handy sending her daughter sexually explicit photos over email. 

Also, dialogue coach Bryan Peck was convicted of sexually assaulting then-15-year-old Drake Bell during season one of “Drake & Josh.” An entire episode of the five-episode series was dedicated to Bell’s experience with Peck, where Bell and his dad reflected on the events as well as the lawsuit. 

I’m not sure how two very obvious acts of sexual assault didn’t provoke an investigation on Nickelodeon, let alone barely being mentioned in the media. The first-hand accounts from families and children forced to work with criminals made the show much more impactful.

It surprises me that issues as serious as pedophilia from over 20 years ago are just now being brought to light. It’s heartbreaking knowing people like Brandi and Bell had experienced such trauma and kept quiet while their abusers faced no backlash from the media. 

It is shocking that Nickelodeon allowed this inappropriate behavior on set with children, but “Quiet on Set” gives insight to the issue and will hopefully contribute to helping prevent future problems in the workplace for child actors.