Former child actors who worked directly with Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider were interviewed for the series.
Nickelodeon has been the center of controversy in recent years, with allegations of abuse and toxic behavior on set.
The new docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV delves deeper into these claims.
Nickelodeon has been the center of controversy in recent years, with allegations of abuse and toxic behavior on set. The new docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV delves deeper into these claims, interviewing a wide array of people including former child actors who worked directly with Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider. One such actor is Bryan Hearne, who was let go from All That after two years and has since spoken out about his experiences on set. Another source is Drake Bell, who recounted publicly for the first time his stories of being abused by Brian Peck, a dialogue coach employed by Nickelodeon over two decades ago.
Former star Drake Bell recounts publicly for the first time his stories of being abused about two decades ago by Brian Peck, a dialogue coach and actor employed by Nickelodeon.
Schneider devalued female staff writers and played favorites among the young actors while excluding performers of color.
Former iCarly co-star Jennette McCurdy wrote the searing memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died about her experiences on set.
Accuracy
Former iCarly co-star Jennette McCurdy wrote the searing memoir I'u0027m Glad My Mom Died about her experiences on set.
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it presents the story of Drake Bell's abuse by Brian Peck as a new revelation when in fact, Peck was convicted and sentenced for his crimes over a decade ago. The identity of the performer he abused was not revealed at that time but is now being disclosed through this documentary. Secondly, the article presents allegations against Dan Schneider without providing any evidence to support these claims. It only quotes former staffers who worked on Nickelodeon shows and parents whose children were targeted by predators while working on these shows. The article also fails to provide any context for why Schneider was accused of being a toxic boss or how his influence grew over time. Thirdly, the article presents scenes from Nickelodeon programming that evoke troubling sexual innuendoes aimed at children without providing any evidence to support these claims. Finally, the article does not disclose whether Quiet on Set has conducted its own investigation into Schneider's allegations or if it is solely relying on second-hand information from former staffers and parents.
The identity of the performer who Brian Peck abused was not revealed in court when he pleaded no contest to two charges. The article presents this as a new revelation, but it has been known for over a decade.
The article does not provide any evidence to support the allegations against Dan Schneider. It only quotes former staffers and parents whose children were targeted by predators while working on Nickelodeon shows.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing Nickelodeon's statement that they investigate all formal complaints as part of their commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace. However, this does not necessarily mean that the allegations made in the documentary are true or accurate. Additionally, there is no evidence presented in the article to support Schneider's denial of some allegations.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing Nickelodeon's statement that they investigate all formal complaints as part of their commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace. However, this does not necessarily mean that the allegations made in the documentary are true or accurate.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims of abuse and portrays them as helpless. Additionally, there are multiple instances where the author quotes people who have been convicted or accused of sexual misconduct without providing any context for their actions.
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims of abuse and portrays them as helpless. Additionally, there are multiple instances where the author quotes people who have been convicted or accused of sexual misconduct without providing any context for their actions.
The most emotional moments of the show comes as Bell relates his story. He says Peck convinced him to drop his father as manager and then involved himself deeply in the young performer's life. Eventually, Bell said, Peck began abusing him sexually, creating a situation the young performer felt he couldn't escape from.
The power of Quiet on Set lies in getting people to sit before a camera and speak on the record about their allegations in compelling ways.
The program also shows a statement from Nickelodeon at the end of every episode which stated it investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace. Kids TV with adult innuendoes Among the most jarring sequences in Quiet on Set: scenes with young actors from Schneider's shows which seemed silly on the surface, but also evoked troubling sexual innuendoes in programming aimed at children including a young Ariana Grande squeezing a potato suggestively to try and produce juice from it, or a moment where a blob of goo spurts onto the face of Jamie Lynn Spears. The documentary also recounts how some staffers who worked at Nickelodeon were later convicted of molestation, including one man who met child actors as a production assistant and Peck, who played characters and worked with kid performers on Schneider-led shows.
Bryan Hearne was let go from All That after two years.
Former star Drake Bell recounts publicly for the first time his stories of being abused about two decades ago by Brian Peck.
Schneider is credited with discovering young stars like Amanda Bynes, while defining the shape of kid-oriented television during that time.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that the toxic culture behind the scenes on Nickelodeon's shows was solely due to Dan Schneider's mom being too mouthy about what she saw as strange and inappropriate behavior on set. However, this is not entirely accurate as there were other factors contributing to Schneider's downfall such as his own actions and the network parting company with him. Secondly, the article uses sensationalism by describing the toxic workplace overseen by Schneider using phrases like 'house of horrors', 'nightmarish world', and 'egregious examples'. Thirdly, it selectively reports on certain details that support its narrative while ignoring others such as other convicted sex offenders who were not mentioned in the article. Lastly, there is no link to peer-reviewed studies or scientific evidence supporting any of the claims made in the article.
One female writer recalls on screen being told to lean over a desk and pretend she was being sodomized
The toxic workplace overseen by Schneider
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the mother's outspokenness as a reason for her son being let go from Nickelodeon. This is not evidence that Schneider was responsible for Hearne's dismissal, but rather that his mother had criticized him in public and caused problems on set. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the toxic culture behind the scenes as a
The appeal to authority fallacy is evident when it states 'Dan Schneider was once the uber-powerful showrunner for many of Nickelodeon's biggest shows before the network parted company with him in 2018.' This statement implies that Schneider had complete control over his shows, which may not be entirely accurate.
The inflammatory rhetoric is evident when it states 'It was a house of horrors,' and describes the toxic workplace as such.
Bias
(80%)
The article presents a biased and sensationalized portrayal of Nickelodeon's shows and Dan Schneider as a toxic workplace. The author uses phrases like 'house of horrors', 'strange and inappropriate behavior', 'nightmarish world' and 'unsettling sexual undercurrents' to create a negative impression of the network, the producer, and his employees. The author also relies on testimonies from former child actors who claim they were abused or harassed by Schneider or other staff members without providing any evidence or context for their allegations. The author does not consider any counterarguments or alternative perspectives on the issue, nor does she acknowledge the success and popularity of Nickelodeon's shows under Schneider's supervision. The author also implies that Schneider was responsible for hiring convicted sex offenders without questioning their background checks or motives.
Bryan Hearne never became a big star like Amanda Bynes, Ariana Grande or Drake Bell when he was one of many child actors in the Nickelodeon universe that dominated children’s TV in the late ’90s and early aughts. Because of his outspoken mother, he ended up being one of the lucky ones.
Dan Schneider claims it was least partly because his mom, Tracey Brown, was too mouthy about what she saw as strange and inappropriate behavior on the set
One female writer recalls on screen being told to lean over a desk and pretend she was being sodomized
Schneider’s shows featured young girls in skimpy outfits, dancing provocatively or flirting with older men.
The series reveals a nightmarish world in which at least three convicted sex offenders – production assistant Jason Handy, animator Ezel Channel and dialogue coach/actor Brian Peck – were on staff with full access to children.
Giovonnie Samuels was hired for three seasons of Nickelodeon's All That in the early 2000s.
Schneider is recognized as the 'Norman Lear of children's television' by the New York Times and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kids Choice Awards in 2014.
Former Nickelodeon star Alexa Nikola speaks during the docuseries Quiet on Set.
The power of Quiet on Set lies in getting people to sit before a camera and speak on the record about their allegations in compelling ways.
Accuracy
Schneider is credited with discovering young stars like Amanda Bynes, while defining the shape of kid-oriented television during that time.
At least three convicted sex offenders were on staff with full access to children, including production assistant Jason Handy, animator Ezel Channel and dialogue coach/actor Brian Peck.
Deception
(50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses anecdotes to make claims about the work environment at Nickelodeon without providing any evidence or statistics to support their assertions.
Giovonnie Samuels' first impression of Dan Schneider was a joker who wanted things done his way.
Bias
(85%)
The author uses language that dehumanizes Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider by referring to him as a 'joker' and implying he has the power to make anyone a star. The author also implies that there is pressure on child actors to perform in order for their careers to be pushed forward.
The author implies that there is pressure on child actors to perform in order for their careers to be pushed forward
The author refers to Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider as a 'joker'
Former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy made headlines after the release of her memoir in which she also touched on the darker side of being a child actor.
The docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV dives deeper into the allegations first reported by Business Insider in 2018, interviewing a wide array of people including two female writers about the gender discrimination lawsuit they filed against Nickelodeon and actor Drake Bell.
Former All That child actors spoke with Rolling Stone about the pressures of performing at Nickelodeon in Schneider-affiliated shows.
Accuracy
Former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy made headlines after the release of her memoir in which she also touched on the darker side of being a child actor.
The docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV dives deeper into the allegations first reported by Business Insider in 2018, interviewing a wide array of people including two female writers about the gender discrimination lawsuit they filed against Nickelodeon and actor Drake Bell.
Former All That child star Giovonnie Samuels dreamed of becoming a TV star and lived out her dreams as she interviewed Tony Hawk who taught her how to kickflip for Stacey Chit, a mock talk-show segment.
Schneider is credited with discovering young stars like Amanda Bynes, while defining the shape of kid-oriented television during that time.
Former Nickelodeon star Alexa Nikola speaks during the docuseries Quiet on Set.
The power of Quiet on Set lies in getting people to sit before a camera and speak on the record about their allegations in compelling ways.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that the toxic work environment on Nickelodeon's shows was a recent occurrence when in fact it has been reported for years. Secondly, the article quotes Drake Bell as an expert source despite him being one of the people who allegedly experienced this toxic work environment himself.
The article quotes Drake Bell as an expert source despite him being one of the people who allegedly experienced this toxic work environment himself. This is deceptive because it presents Bell's opinion as objective and trustworthy without disclosing his personal experience with Schneider.
The article implies that the toxic work environment on Nickelodeon's shows was a recent occurrence when in fact it has been reported for years. This is deceptive because it misleads readers into thinking that Schneider and his team were only responsible for this behavior recently, when in reality they have been accused of similar behaviors before.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Nickelodeon went through a golden period in the late '90s and early '00s without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author makes use of inflammatory rhetoric when describing some of Schneider's alleged behaviors as
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies.
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by saying 'white supremacists online celebrated the reference to the racist and antisemitic conspiracy.' This is an example of religious bias because it implies that white supremacy is a religion, which it isn't. Additionally, the article mentions Vivek Ramaswamy as being dog-whistling to supporters of extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon. This is an example of monetary bias because it implies that supporting these ideas will lead to financial gain.
Vivek Ramaswamy has been dog-whistling to supporters of extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon.
white supremacists online celebrated the reference to the racist and antisemitic conspiracy.
