10 Shocking Reveals from Quiet on Set Episode 5
The Aftermath with Drake Bell
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Almost two decades after Brian Peck was sentenced to sixteen months in prison, Drake Bell opened up about his traumatic experience. In Episode 5, Bell discussed the reactions to his harrowing account in a virtual interview from Mexico City. Bell received an outpouring of support online, but at the time this follow-up interview was recorded, he had yet to receive a direct apology from anyone who wrote a letter defending Peck. Bell revealed that Josh Peck did get in touch with him, calling his former co-star a “great person.” Bell also defended his mother, now being in a good place with her and his father. Outside of Dan Schneider, though, Bell claims that nobody at Nickelodeon reached out when the allegations first surfaced.
Will Friedle’s Response
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Bell was shocked to find many familiar faces on Brian Peck’s side of the courtroom, including actor Will Friedle. Along with his “Boy Meets World” co-star Rider Strong, Friedle wrote Peck a character letter, not having all the details about the allegations. Sitting in court, Friedle quickly regretted ever supporting or believing Peck, discussing his mistake on “Pod Meets World.” Later working together on “Ultimate Spider-Man,” Bell noted that Friedle had opportunities to apologize, but the subject never arose. Bell now sees the position that Friedle and Strong were in, although that doesn’t erase the past. After Episode 5 was taped, Bell revealed that he had recently spoken to Strong, posting, “We are all healing together. I have nothing but love and forgiveness for him.”
Reactions to Dan Schneider’s “Apology”
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Between the fourth and fifth episodes, Dan Schneider responded to “Quiet of Set” in a YouTube interview conducted by BooG!E, aka T-Bo from “iCarly.” The comments section was turned off, although “All That” co-stars Bryan Hearne and Giovonnie Samuels summed up the general reaction. Schneider’s response didn’t seem sincere to them, noting his acting background. They also found the timing suspicious, saying that Schneider remained silent after Jennette McCurdy published her book and Angelique Bates discussed her time on “All That.” While Schneider argued that he championed diversity, Hearne and Samuels noted that he didn’t mention their names. Yet, shortly before the doc aired, Schneider asked Samuels for support, believing she enjoyed working on “All That.” In reality, Samuels was “terrified” of Schneider.
Shane Lyons’ Time on “All That”
In addition to follow-up interviews, Episode 5 offered a new perspective from former actor Shane Lyons. After not being invited back to “All That,” Lyons followed in his parents’ footsteps, becoming a successful chef and restaurant owner, even appearing on the Food Network. Reflecting on Brian Peck, Lyons concurred that he was as charming as he was deceptive. Although Lyons alleged that Peck made multiple passes at him, he didn’t suffer the abuse Bell went through. The older Lyons got, the more he realized how inappropriate Peck acted on set. In one such instance, Peck asked the underage Lyons if he was familiar with the term… eh, we’re not sure we can say it on YouTube, but no adult should question a minor about it.
The Pressure to Laugh
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When asked about the innuendos and suggestive humor in his shows, Schneider contended that kids found these jokes funny back in the day. Now that they’re older, they view those jokes differently. Bryan Hearne and Giovonnie Samuels were the target demographic when they starred on “All That.” Yet, a lot of the routines they participated in went over their heads. Since the other adults were laughing, the young actors figured they were doing something right. Schneider had created several successful shows and launched numerous careers. So, might as well laugh along with him, even if you don’t understand his humor or fascination with feet. Their laughter on set might have been forced, but Hearne and Samuels genuinely laughed watching Schneider’s apology.
Raquel Lee Bolleau’s Racist Experience
In a never-before-seen clip from her interview, Raquel Lee Bolleau recounted an “Amanda Show” sketch called “The Literals.” As the name suggests, the skit centers on a family that takes everything literally. Thus, when Amanda Bynes’ character is asked to “spit it out,” she spits water on Bolleau and Lynsey Bartilson, the latter of whom only appeared in this one episode. Bolleau recalls being spit in the face multiple times, finding it more infuriating than funny. The director eventually took Bolleau aside, saying that Bynes was the show’s star and not to make trouble. The director asked Bynes not to aim at her face, but insisted that Bolleau “keep [her] cool.” Bolleau didn’t return for Episode 5, although Tracey Brown described the experience as “racist.”
Tokenism on “All That”
Three of the original seven “All That” cast members were Black. The show seemed to take steps backward throughout the seasons, Bryan Hearne being the only Black male and Giovonnie Samuels the only Black female cast member when “All That” was relaunched. In addition to feeling tokenized, Hearne and Samuels were pressured to represent Black boys and girls everywhere. It didn’t help that both felt underutilized on the show. Samuels would hear the excuse that she was “so talented” that the showrunners didn’t know what to do with her. In response, Samuels attempted to come up with her own sketches, but she always got pigeonholed as “the token Black girl.” After Hearne got let go from the show, Samuels was the only Black cast member left.
Bryan & Tracey’s Relationship
The previous “Quiet on Set” episodes touched upon Bryan Hearne’s struggles post-child stardom. In Episode 5, he sat down with his mother Tracey Brown, discussing how the two became estranged after his unceremonious exit from “All That.” Although Hearne blamed himself, he no longer trusted his mother, believing she was partially responsible for rocking the boat on set. Hearne wasn’t the same from then on, drifting further away from his mom and even running away from home. It wasn’t until they were invited to participate in this documentary that the two reconnected. Brown texted her son on Valentine’s Day before “Quiet on Set” premiered. Hearne responded, “Happy Valentine’s Day, mom.” It was the most contact they had shared in some time.
The Lack of Media Coverage in Brian Peck’s Trial
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You’d assume Brian Peck’s trial would’ve dominated headlines, especially since this happened shortly after Jason Handy’s arrest. As Drake Bell and host Soledad O’Brien pointed out in Episode 5, only a handful of outlets reported on the trial. Even the ones that did moved on to the next news story fairly quickly. Around the same time as the trial, director Amy J. Berg explored the disturbing correlation between child stars and predators in the documentary “An Open Secret,” which briefly mentions Peck. Just as that documentary couldn’t find a Hollywood distributor, the articles surrounding Peck got brushed under the rug. The trial is finally receiving the attention it should’ve gotten in 2004, showing that little has likely improved in nearly twenty years.
The Legal Loophole
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The only thing more shocking than Brian Peck’s arrest, trial, and conviction is that he got a short-lived job on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” not long after his release. One could attribute this to the limited media coverage and Peck’s high-profile friends. As Shane Lyons pointed out in Episode 5, the main reason could be that the producers of kids' shows aren’t required to conduct background checks. As long as a parent is present on set, networks like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel can hire people without looking into whether they’re registered sex offenders. The issues explored in “Quiet on Set” won’t be fixed with easy change, but if this one legal loophole can be prevented, the industry will become infinitely safer overnight. Did you watch “Quiet on Set” Episode 5? Do you think there will be an Episode 6 or Season 2? Let us know in the comments.
