*Trigger Warning: This article contains depiction of sexual assault. 

Nickelodeon, the network synonymous with childhood laughter and gooey green slime, is facing a reckoning thanks to the new docuseries “Quiet on the Set.” The investigative series delves into the dark underbelly of the network’s golden age during the 90s and 2000s, pulling back the curtain to reveal disturbing allegations of abuse against child actors.

One of the most harrowing stories comes from former Drake & Josh star Drake Bell. Bell bravely details alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Brian Peck, a former Nickelodeon production assistant. “Quiet on the Set” portrays a manipulative predator targeting a young Bell, with the abuse reportedly happening over several months. The docuseries sheds light on the long-lasting impact this abuse had on Bell, highlighting the vulnerability of child actors within the entertainment industry. Bell also mentioned that when he went to Peck’s sentencing, he was shocked to see many people sitting on Peck’s side of the courtroom; many were familiar faces and well-known celebrities of that time.

Brian Peck was charged with 11 counts against the child actor in 2003. Those of which included: of a lewd act upon a child; sodomy of a person under 16; attempted sodomy of a person under 16; sexual penetration by a foreign object; four counts of oral copulation of a person under 16; oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance; sending harmful matter; and using a minor for sex acts.

A year later, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender. After he was released from jail, Peck landed a job at Disney Channel for the show The Suite Life Of Zach & Cody. However, Variety reported that he was terminated after they learned of his history.

“Quiet on the Set” doesn’t stop at individual cases. It takes aim at a larger pattern of questionable practices at Nickelodeon. The series raises concerns about the overall culture at the network, suggesting an environment where exploitation might have thrived. A clip featuring Ariana Grande from the show “Victorious” serves as a potent example. The scene in question shows a teenage Grande suggestively squeezing a potato and moaning. While the focus isn’t on Grande herself, the clip is used to illustrate a broader trend of potentially sexualizing content aimed at young audiences. This raises questions about the network’s responsibility in protecting its young stars and the messages it was sending to viewers.

The release of “Quiet on the Set” has sparked outrage and a wave of social media discussions. Many viewers are expressing shock and disappointment, questioning how such abuse could have gone unchecked for so long. The docuseries has also prompted calls for accountability from Nickelodeon. With its unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in the network’s history, “Quiet on the Set” serves as a stark reminder of the importance of creating safe and nurturing environments for child actors. It remains to be seen how Nickelodeon will respond to the docuseries’ allegations, but one thing is certain: the network’s reputation for innocence has been irrevocably tarnished.