IT was the kids’ TV network that gave us child stars Ariana Grande and Jamie Lynn Spears – but behind the scenes Nickelodeon was a cesspit of emotional and 𝑠e𝑥ual exploitation.
Shock new documentary series Quiet On Set: The Dark Truth Of Kids TV, which is streaming on Discovery+, lifts the lid on how a culture of fear emerged under its main writer and producer Dan Schneider.
Dan Schneider (top left) is accused of overseeing a culture of fear at kids TV channel Nickelodeon
Child stars like Jamie Lynn Spears – pictured here with Dan Schneider – were said to have worked in an environment of emotional and 𝑠e𝑥ual exploitationCredit: Getty
8Ariana Grande is one of the household names who made her name as a child star on NickelodeonCredit: Rex
The US channel’s cast of starlets, aged nine to 15, had to take part in 𝑠e𝑥ualised scenes in hit shows such as Noughties sitcoms Drake & Josh, Zoey 101 and iCarly.
Alexa Nikolas, now 31, rose to fame in boarding school series Zoey 101 alongside Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn.
But recalling the 𝑠e𝑥ual innuendo on set, she says: “One of the most disturbing memories I have is an episode with Jamie where I can’t open a tube of squeezable candy.
“My character just can’t get it open, and when I eventually do it ends up all over Jamie’s face — like, the prop person came on set with a syringe, and it landed on her face and eyes.
Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk