Josh Peck speaks out after watching Nickelodeon “Quiet on Set” doc: 'Children should be protected'
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"Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families," the "Drake & Josh" star said.
Josh Peck is speaking out about Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV for the first time.
The Drake & Josh star posted a statement on Instagram about the bombshell documentary series, which investigates allegations of toxic workplace environment and child abuse during Dan Schneider’s reign at Nickelodeon.
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Josh Peck“I finished the Quiet on Set documentary and took a few days to process it,” Peck said. “I reached out to Drake [Bell] privately, but want to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse on Nickelodeon sets with the world.”
Peck, who recently appeared in Oppenheimer, did not participate in Quiet on Set, but his Amanda Show and Drake & Josh costar Drake Bell did. In the Investigation Discovery doc, Bell detailed the sexual abuse he survived from a Nickelodeon dialogue coach as a teenager, and revealed for the first time that his anonymous testimony led to his abuser's conviction in 2004.
Nickelodeon
Josh Peck and Drake Bell on 'Drake & Josh'
“Children should be protected,” Peck’s statement continued. “Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families as well as necessary change to our industry.”
Peck’s lack of involvement in the doc fueled speculation, prompting some social media users to flood the comments of his posts on TikTok and Instagram with questions about the series and his seeming lack of support for his former costar. This prompted Bell to post a TikTok video telling fans that Peck had supported him privately. “I just want you guys to know that he has reached out to me, and it’s been very sensitive,” he said. “He has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this, and has been really, really great.”
Drake & Josh, created and executive produced by Schneider, revolved around the antics of two teen stepbrothers (Bell and Peck) with opposing personalities and Drake's bratty little sister Megan (Miranda Cosgrove). It aired on Nickelodeon for four seasons, beginning in 2004.
After Bell broke his silence about his abuse in Quiet on Set, Nickelodeon released a statement that said, “Now that Drake Bell has disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward."
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is streaming on ID now.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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