Things the Quiet on Set Documentary Left Out

Things the Quiet on Set Documentary Left Out

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at individuals and controversies connected to “Quiet on Set” that weren’t explored in depth or were omitted entirely from the documentary.

Brian Peck’s Close Ties to Bryan Singer

Peck was well-connected in Hollywood, one of his most prominent associates being Bryan Singer, who has also been accused of inappropriate behavior with minors. Brian Peck didn’t just have a cameo in Singer’s first “X-Men” film. The two recorded the commentary for the movie’s home media release. Peck also popped up as a news reporter in Singer’s “X2,” but the “X-Men” connections don’t end there. “Quiet on Set” mentions that Cyclops actor James Marsden wrote Peck a letter of support. What it doesn’t tell you is that Peck was Marsden’s best man in 2000, according to another letter that “X-Men” executive producer Thomas DeSanto regretted writing. Yet, it’s Peck’s ties to Singer that paint a disturbing parallel, and we’re not talking about their names.

Drake Bell Forgave Rider Strong

In the fifth episode, Drake Bell discussed a few celebrities who wrote character letters for Brian Peck, including “Boy Meets World” stars Rider Song and Will Friedle. While Strong and Friedle publicly expressed regret, Bell mentioned that nobody had reached out to him directly to apologize. There were a few developments between this interview and the episode’s airing. Namely, Strong did get in touch with Bell. On April 5, two days before Episode 5 aired, Bell posted on social media, “I just had the most amazing conversation with @RiderStrong we are all healing together. I have nothing but love and forgiveness for him.” Time will only tell if Friedle will connect with Bell as well, but in any case, this conversation is far from over.

The Media’s Response to Jamie Lynn Spears’ Pregnancy

While Jamie Lynn Spears is referenced several times, “Quiet on Set” doesn’t delve deep into her pregnancy or, more significantly, how the media reacted. Contrary to rumors, “Zoey 101” wasn’t canceled due to Spears’ pregnancy. The series wrapped shooting before the news broke, although episodes were still airing. Even so, the media framed the story as “Nickelodeon Star Pregnant at 16.” Spears recalls people calling her “the worst human alive” and that she “ruined” “Zoey 101” for young girls. Meanwhile, nobody was talking about the working environment Spears was raised in or the sexual content that adult writers worked into her show. While Spears’ choices were her own, it was irresponsible for the media to shame her while ignoring the red flags at Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon’s Non-Disclosure Agreements

According to “iCarly” star Jennette McCurdy, Nickelodeon offered her $300,000 to sign an NDA, which would’ve prevented her from discussing her time at the network or Dan Schneider’s behavior. McCurdy rejected the offer, allowing her to tell all in her memoir. While many former Nickelodeon stars have since called out the network’s management, others have been vague or unresponsive about the scandals “Quiet on Set” spotlighted. There could be various reasons for this, although it’s safe to say McCurdy wasn’t the only one presented with an NDA. Just because McCurdy said no doesn’t mean everyone else did. Alexa Nikolas of “Zoey 101” has advocated for Nickelodeon to release employees from their NDAs. With this unlikely to happen, we may never get the full story.

Dan Schneider Pressured Jennette McCurdy to Drink

While “Quiet on Set” touches upon some of the allegations McCurdy brought against Schneider, it leaves out one of the most disturbing accounts from “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” McCurdy recalled “The Creator,” a thinly veiled Schneider, pushed her to drink an alcoholic beverage. Despite McCurdy’s protests that she was three years away from being able to drink legally, the Creator responded, “No one’s looking, Jennetter. You’re fine.” McCurdy continued to object, but the Creator argued that the “Victorious” kids got drunk together and they needed to give the “wholesome” “iCarly” kids “a little edge.” McCurdy only took a sip, although she’d struggled with substance use in the years that followed. Whether or not this was a turning point, the Creator’s actions were beyond unacceptable.

Angelique Bates’ Experiences on “All That”

Although she was among the first big names to speak out against Nickelodeon, Angelique Bates is only mentioned briefly during the documentary’s fifth episode. It was previously reported that Nickelodeon producers stood by while Bates’ mother mistreated her on set. Bates has since clarified that her mother never verbally and emotionally abused her, but she claims Nickelodeon did. While rehearing an “All That” scene, Bates recalled two other cast members throwing and spitting milk at her, which wasn’t scripted. When Bates threw milk back, Dan Schneider screamed obscenities at her, despite laughing when others doused her with milk. The microphones were on, allowing anyone near an intercom or television to hear Schneider’s tirade. Schneider apologized after the guest director intervened, but faced no serious repercussions.

Marc Summers Walking Out of His Interview

“Double Dare” host Marc Summers agreed to be interviewed for “Quiet on Set,” although he only appears for a few seconds. Summers felt “ambushed” when the crew showed him a clip he couldn’t believe was on Nickelodeon. Realizing this wasn’t what he signed up for, Summers asked the crew to stop taping and left. Led to believe that only his positive comments about Nickelodeon would be included, Summers was surprised to find the “bait and switch” featured. Directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz insist they were “clear with each participant about the nature of [their] projects.” Either way, Summers had little to say about Dan Schneider, having never worked with or even met him since “Double Dare” ended before “All That.”

Drake Bell’s Accusers

“Quiet on Set” doesn’t ignore Drake Bell’s legal troubles, acknowledging that he pled guilty to attempted endangering children and a misdemeanor charge regarding problematic text messages he exchanged with a teenage girl. Taking responsibility for these mistakes, Bell received two years probation and 200 hours of community service. The documentary also notes that he wasn’t charged for physical violence. However, the filmmakers tiptoe around the fact that the underage victim did accuse Bell of assault, calling him a “monster.” His ex-girlfriend, Melissa Lingafelt, also accused Bell of verbal and physical abuse. Bell has denied these claims and many have backed him up. Since “Quiet on Set” is about child endangerment, though, it is worth examining this story from every angle.

Where Are Brian Peck & Jason Handy Now?

After inexplicably getting a job on “Zack & Cody” following his served time, Peck still found a few more high-profile gigs. He appeared as Bugsy Hero in the 2008 Adam Sandler comedy “Bedtime Stories” and a TMZ Announcer in Charlie Sheen’s “Anger Management,” going uncredited both times. Peck’s last credit was as Zombie Dad in 2015’s “Freaks of Nature,” although he still lives in Los Angeles as a free man. After being sentenced in 2004, Jason Handy was released from prison in 2009. Handy’s freedom was short-lived, as the registered sex offender was arrested again five years later for his old habits. As of writing, Handy is serving his sentence at Petersburg’s Federal Correctional Institution with his release set for August 28, 2038.

Not the First Documentary to Call Out Brian Peck

Ten years before “Quiet on Set” premiered, Brian Peck’s crimes came up in “An Open Secret,” another documentary about the dark side of child stardom. Although Peck is among the predators discussed, it’s noted that his accuser remained anonymous. Chances are you never heard of this documentary, as no U.S. distributor would touch it - not even for an on-demand release. You could argue this is because the subject matter was just too depressing, but the more likely explanation is that the industry has been suppressing the truth for decades. It’s hard to imagine a documentary like “Quiet on Set” getting greenlit before #MeToo took off. Now that “Quiet on Set” has gotten the word out, “An Open Secret” deserves an official release next.

Is there anything else you think that “Quiet on Set” left out? Let us know in the comments.