Quiet on Set is a tough watch, but also important -- important because of the dark truths it illuminates; tough because of the truths' unsettling nature and, furthermore, what they reveal about kiddie programs that several generations hold dear. It explores the production of such '90s Nickelodeon classics as All That and naughties ones like Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh, along with the myriad stories of abuse and predation involving former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider, dialogue coach Brian Peck, and others.
It's harshly sobering, to be sure, especially if you are familiar with these faces and/or their younger selves. You may not need this show to tell you that the world of child stardom is an evil one, but the more people realize how the system works, the better.
I do remember the Nickelodeon sitcoms and variety shows, but as they were in English (sometimes without Swedish subtitles), I rarely watched them. Yet I remember being intrigued by things like Kenan & Kel, Cousin Skeeter, Pete & Pete, and, indeed, All That; a few years later, Drake and Josh seemed to be everywhere. These kids defined the brand and, in turn, our childhoods (even if we didn't always tune in, they were somehow always there). This documentary puts things in a dreary new perspective for all of us.
There are some critiques of it that I will concede, however. At times, it seems too cheesy for the subject matter -- like when Drake Bell, finally ready to reveal himself as the John Doe in the 2004 Brian Peck case, walks in at the end of Part 2 like it's an MCU post-credits scene -- and certain arguments, like the Nickelodeon slime (along with various snot jokes) supposedly being references to cum, made me wonder:
Is that on Schneider, or people in the modern day being porn addicts?
It's harshly sobering, to be sure, especially if you are familiar with these faces and/or their younger selves. You may not need this show to tell you that the world of child stardom is an evil one, but the more people realize how the system works, the better.
I do remember the Nickelodeon sitcoms and variety shows, but as they were in English (sometimes without Swedish subtitles), I rarely watched them. Yet I remember being intrigued by things like Kenan & Kel, Cousin Skeeter, Pete & Pete, and, indeed, All That; a few years later, Drake and Josh seemed to be everywhere. These kids defined the brand and, in turn, our childhoods (even if we didn't always tune in, they were somehow always there). This documentary puts things in a dreary new perspective for all of us.
There are some critiques of it that I will concede, however. At times, it seems too cheesy for the subject matter -- like when Drake Bell, finally ready to reveal himself as the John Doe in the 2004 Brian Peck case, walks in at the end of Part 2 like it's an MCU post-credits scene -- and certain arguments, like the Nickelodeon slime (along with various snot jokes) supposedly being references to cum, made me wonder:
Is that on Schneider, or people in the modern day being porn addicts?