Current:Home > FinanceMelissa Joan Hart expresses solidarity with Nickelodeon child stars in 'Quiet on Set' docuseries -ValueMetric
Melissa Joan Hart expresses solidarity with Nickelodeon child stars in 'Quiet on Set' docuseries
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 11:29:26
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! (81)
Related
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Big 12 commissioner: 'We will be the deepest conference in America'
- Federal judge rules protesters can't march through Republican National Convention security zone
- Pretty Little Liars’ Janel Parrish Undergoes Surgery After Endometriosis Diagnosis
- Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
- Groups sue to restore endangered species protection for US northern Rockies wolves
- Dyson to cut 1,000 jobs in the U.K.
- 6 Ninja Turtle Gang members arrested, 200 smuggled reptiles seized in Malaysia
- The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
- 'It's absolutely nothing': Cowboys QB Dak Prescott dismisses concerns about ankle
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- UEFA Euro 2024 bracket: England vs. Spain in Sunday's final
- Short-handed Kona public defender’s office won’t accept new drunken driving cases
- Giants on 'Hard Knocks': Inside combine interviews, teeing up Saquon Barkley exit
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Feds shut down Russian AI 'bot farm' that spread disinformation for Putin
- A troubling first: Rising seas blamed for disappearance of rare cactus in Florida
- Meghan Trainor Reveals “Knees to Knees” Toilet Set Up in Her and Daryl Sabara’s New House
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Massachusetts ballot question would give Uber and Lyft drivers right to form a union
Federal Reserve's Powell says more good data could open door to interest rate cuts
Kevin Costner’s second ‘Horizon’ film pulled from theatrical release
9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
Ancient relic depicting Moses, Ten Commandments found in Austria, archaeologists say
Election officials push back against draft federal rule for reporting potential cyberattacks
Tennessee sheriff pleads not guilty to using prison labor for personal profit