Current:Home > reviewsMelissa Joan Hart expresses solidarity with Nickelodeon child stars in 'Quiet on Set' docuseries -Capitatum
Melissa Joan Hart expresses solidarity with Nickelodeon child stars in 'Quiet on Set' docuseries
View
Date:2025-04-11 14:19:13
Melissa Joan Hart is standing by the former Nickelodeon child stars who spoke out about alleged abuse in the docuseries "Quiet on Set."
Hart, 47, who starred in Nickelodeon’s "Clarissa Explains It All" from 1991 to 1994, shared on Thursday's episode of the "Meghan McCain Has Entered The Chat" podcast that she never experienced the same trauma at the network, but is still standing by the alleged victims.
"I don’t know other people’s experiences and I’m not negating anything anybody else says. I’ve never been told these people’s stories that are in the (documentary). And I have to say, I’ve never heard a story from a Nickelodeon star personally, nobody’s come to me and talked to me about any of these situations," she said, but added, "I absolutely trust them, believe them, 100%."
"Quiet on Set" covers allegations against producer Dan Schneider, who is accused of creating a toxic work environment on his Nickelodeon shows and engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as asking female employees for massages on set. Many interview subjects also argued that jokes written by Schneider had sexual implications and were not suitable for shows starring minors.
"Drake & Josh" star Drake Bell also alleged that former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually assaulted him, and a mother alleged that a production assistant, Jason Handy, sent her daughter a photograph of himself masturbating.
Hart noted that when she was with Nickelodeon, they filmed on a set in Orlando, Florida, rather than the network's set in Hollywood, where many of the alleged incidents took place.
“In Orlando, I had nothing but a wonderful experience," she said. "They did work the kids a lot harder than they probably legally should. We had a ton of fun, it was just long hours, that’s all – because I had to do school and the show."
The "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" star said that she had a very "protective" cast and crew "that took such good care of me."
"I have to say, not every egg in the Nickelodeon basket is rotten. There were some good eggs – there were some people that really took care of me," she added.
Hart's comments echoed those of Keenan Thompson, who said during an interview on "Tamron Hall" Wednesday that much of the alleged inappropriate conduct that occurred behind the scenes at Nickelodeon happened after he left.
"It's a tough subject," the former "Kenan & Kel" star, 45, said. "It's tough for me because I can't really speak on things that I never witnessed, because all these things happened after I left, basically."
But he added, "My heart goes out to anybody that's been victimized or their families." He also said it's a "good thing" that the documentary is "putting things on display that need to be, stories that need to be told for accountability's sake," even though it's "tough to watch."
"I have fond memories of that place," Thompson explained. "I have fond memories of my co-stars and stuff like that, so to hear that they've gone through terrible things like that, it's really tough."
Schneider served as a producer on "All That," where Thompson got his start in television, as well as "Kenan & Kel," which starred Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Schneider also co-wrote the Nickelodeon movie "Good Burger," which was based on an "All That" sketch, and starred as the boss of Thompson's character.
Kenan Thompson calls for 'accountabilityafter 'Quiet on Set' doc: 'Investigate more'
In a statement shared with USA TODAY, a spokesperson for Schneider said that "everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network," adding, "Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny." In a YouTube video posted after the documentary aired, though, Schneider acknowledged he "definitely at times didn't give people the best of me" and apologized for being "just straight up rude and obnoxious."
Nickelodeon previously said in a statement to USA TODAY, "Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct."
Who is Drake Bell?What to know about the former Nickelodeon star's career and allegations
Thompson called for further action to be taken in response to the documentary. "Investigate more! It's supposed to be a safe space. It's supposed to be a safe place for kids," he said regarding Nickelodeon's response. "To hear all about that is just like, 'How dare you?'"
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
veryGood! (35)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
- Apple, Android users on notice from FBI, CISA about texts amid 'massive espionage campaign'
- In a First, Arizona’s Attorney General Sues an Industrial Farm Over Its Water Use
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Small plane crashes onto New York highway, killing 1 person and injuring another
- Not sure what to write in your holiday card? These tips can help: Video tutorial
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- The best tech gifts, gadgets for the holidays featured on 'The Today Show'
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- OCBC chief Helen Wong joins Ho Ching, Jenny Lee on Forbes' 100 most powerful women list
- Is that Cillian Murphy as a zombie in the '28 Years Later' trailer?
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Recommendation
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Man who jumped a desk to attack a Nevada judge in the courtroom is sentenced
'Unimaginable situation': South Korea endures fallout from martial law effort
KISS OF LIFE reflects on sold
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacies in appeal of $650 million opioid judgment
Analysis: After Juan Soto’s megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon