description:
A docu-series that uncovers the toxic culture behind some of the most iconic children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
episodes:
01. Rising Stars, Rising Questions
The episode explores the early career of Dan Schneider, especially with his involvement as a producer and writer on All That. Two former female writers on the show, Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, discussed their tumultuous relationship with Schneider. These include a split-payment that goes against the rules of the Writers Guild of America and alleged sexual harassment from Schneider. The episode ends after a settled lawsuit on gender discrimination – and the two writers getting fired.
Amanda Bynes was discovered by a producer in 1996 during a routine at Laugh Factory. Her career was catapulted by The Amanda Show and What I Like About You. Former child actors of All That also speak on Schneider’s hard treatment of them including Leon Frierson, Bryan Hearne, Katrina Johnson, Giovonnie Samuels, and Kyle Sullivan. The episode also reveals two crew members of All That, production assistant Jason Michael Handy and dialogue coach and actor Brian Peck, the latter of which also worked on The Amanda Show, became convicted sex offenders.
03. The Darkest Secret
Drake Bell and his father Joe discuss how during production of The Amanda Show, Brian Peck manipulated Drake into believing Peck was more important in Drake’s life than his parents. Drake struggles to talk about Peck eventually sexually assaulting him many times. After Peck repeatedly tried to call Drake at his girlfriend’s house and insisted he play the role of the father on Drake & Josh, he and his mom organized a police sting that resulted in Peck being arrested. Drake and his parents were relieved they would not have to deal with him anymore, but Drake remained traumatized for years to the point where he went down a self-destructive path.
04. Too Close to the Sun
The episode begins by discussing Brian Peck’s court case, which involved multiple Hollywood individuals supporting him. Dan Schneider’s later career saw him become more important to Nickelodeon, but he receives scrutiny for his sometimes inappropriate behavior, as well as sexual jokes featured on Zoey 101, iCarly, and Victorious. Nickelodeon’s decision to fire Schneider in 2018 in the wake of the #MeToo movement was applauded by crewmembers. Some of the interviewees reflect on how being child actors affected their well-being, and the episode acknowledges Drake Bell’s legal issues – including his DUI arrest in 2015 and his 2021 guilty plea for child endangerment.
05. Breaking the Silence
The episode recaps the first four episodes, including unused clips. The episode also features interviews from Drake Bell, Giovonnie Samuels, Bryan Hearne, Hearne’s mother Tracey Brown, and Shane Lyons. This is also Lyon’s debut appearance in the docuseries. Journalist Soledad O’Brien served as the episode’s moderator.
