Rick Ellis, based in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, has been writing about television on his website AllYourScreens.com for years, eventually turning it into his full-time job. His inquiries into the departure of producer Dan Schneider from Nickelodeon led to extensive coverage on the topic, catching the attention of directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz. They approached Ellis to feature him in their documentary series “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which explores the toxic culture behind iconic children’s shows on Nickelodeon from the late ’90s to early 2000s. The documentary heavily focuses on Schneider’s tenure at Nickelodeon, with allegations ranging from inappropriate to abusive behavior. Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell also speaks out about his experience of being sexually abused as a child by Brian Peck, the former Nickelodeon dialogue coach. While Ellis acknowledges the importance of the documentary in shedding light on past abuses, he remains skeptical about its broader impact on those involved.
