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Season 1 – Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV Mar 2024 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A docu-series that uncovers the toxic culture behind some of the most iconic children's shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
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Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV — Season 1

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Respectful and thorough in giving voice to the collateral damage of an entertainment empire that was only kid-friendly on the surface, Quiet on Set is a vital showbiz exposé.

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Critics Reviews

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Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) 04/04/2024
4/5
Quiet on Set is compelling viewing for what it exposes, with clear and cohesive reporting, and what it tells us -- yet again -- about how power imbalances in Hollywood lead to horrifying exploitation. Go to Full Review
Jack Seale Guardian 03/25/2024
4/5
You are forgiven at this point if your rage is freighted with fatigue. But there is necessary work still to be done. Go to Full Review
Candice Frederick HuffPost 03/22/2024
What lingers throughout the series, especially with Bell’s allegation having been reported before it even aired, are all the other stories that surround it. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Apr 22
A devastating critique of how children are at risk in the entertainment industry (in a number of different ways). Episode 3 with Drake Bell is the best/hardest to watch, while episode 5 is nothing more than a cash grab. Go to Full Review
Jim Schembri jimschembri.com 04/11/2024
3.5/5
Explores in extensive, disturbing detail the abuses that took place – often infront of cameras – during the heyday of Nickelodeon, the one Hollywood studio to rival Disney’s dominance of childrens TV. Go to Full Review
Stephanie Morgan Common Sense Media 04/03/2024
Despite its tough subject matter, the series is crucial for shedding light on systemic problems within the entertainment industry, emphasizing the urgent need for protective measures for child actors. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jacob C. @RT08567168 Oct 21 The absolute ONLY reason I’m giving this a 5-star rating is because I believe the kids (adults now). Dan Schneider may have had Drake Bell’s back when he was assaulted by Brian Peck, but Dan should’ve known better than to hire someone like him. And the way Dan treated the kids and the staff members too was completely unprofessional. Hope Dan begs for forgiveness and never works for the production company again. See more Gabriel M @Anonymous12 Jul 17 For the dark side of Hollywood, this is probably the most scariest documentary I’ve ever watched more than Leaving Neverland & Surviving R. Kelly. What’s even more sad is what happened with Drake Bell. It caused me to panic and i almost didn’t recover days later after seeing it. I almost wanted to distance myself from Nickelodeon shows due to this documentary. Under any circumstances, parents should not let their kids or teens see this documentary due to the explicit descriptions of sexual abuse involving children. The TV-14 rating doesn’t work for this documentary, should be TV-MA. Or if this was to instead be released in theaters, the MPAA should either give it an R or NC-17 rating. Please use extreme caution if you’re going to see this. If you’re not a strong person, you probably won’t recover. See more Kevin P @RT55971421 01/26/2025 A heartbreaking and harrowing deep dive into mistreatment of child stars and other staff members on set of Nickelodeon sitcoms ran by Dam Schneider. Drake Bell and Jennette Macurdy’s stories were particularly devastating to hear. It definitely gives you a new perspective of how the child star industry works, is tainted, and how it can be reformed. See more Derek L @RT51637195 08/17/2024 Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is well documented that highlights the darkness hidden behind the scenes of Nickelodeon Studios which is well known for producing the likes of iCarly, Drake & Josh etc. I do feel sorry to all those young kids who endured the toxic environment caused by Dan Schneider, Brian Peck and so on. See more Steve S @RT45882941 07/18/2024 This 5-part documentary was interesting, but sometimes feels like a bit of a hit piece on Dan Schnider. It would have been interesting if he had participated and told his side of the story. The 3rd episode featuring Drake Bell’s story was riveting, although they kind of glossed over his own inappropriate behavior in episode 4. Some of the stories are certainly disturbing, but I was actually expecting more revelations than the documentary provided. Worth a watch, but not quite as good as I was expecting. See more Dayne R @RT17744214 05/10/2024 It's truly heartbreaking to hear everyone's story especially with what they've gone through. I feel so bad for Drake Bell and Amanda Bynes especially with the trauma they've been through and carrying their whole life. Dan Schnieder, Brian Peck and all the other suspects deserve to rot in the worst prisons possible for the rest of their lives. Jeannette MCcurdy also mentions him in her book and even though it doesn't name him, she still says the creator. See more Read all reviews
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 17, 2024 Rising Stars, Rising Questions In the 1990s, a new creator emerges at Nickelodeon, showrunner Dan Schneider, who brings laughter and mentorship to kids' TV; he champions young talent like Amanda Bynes, but behind the scenes, some female writers face a toxic and sexist environment. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 17, 2024 Hidden in Plain Sight A look at accusations concerning showrunner Dan Schneider, including a toxic workplace for female writers and two crew members' arrests for child abuse. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 22, 2024 The Darkest Secret A former child-star reveals how he survived abuse at the hands of his acting coach; the harrowing account traces how he met his abuser on set, the ways this coach upended the child's family and the challenges faced when the actor sought out police. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 18, 2024 Too Close to the Sun A former child star discusses surviving abuse at the hands of his acting coach, but a conviction doesn't keep the coach away from kids' TV; Dan Schneider's power grows until it reaches a boiling point. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 7, 2024 Breaking the Silence The untold story of the toxic and abusive environment inside '90s kids' TV; hearing harrowing accounts from former child stars and crew who probe the balance of power in the industry and reveal an era that inflicted lasting wounds still felt today. Details
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Season Info

Director
Mary Robertson, Emma Schwartz
Executive Producer
Nicholas Carlson, Pamela Deutsch, Eli Holzman, Mary Robertson, Aaron Saidman, Joel Stonington, Kate Taylor
Network
ID
Rating
TV-14 (L|D)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 17, 2024