For the first time since the groundbreaking “Quiet on Set” documentary premiered last spring, Drake Bell and Josh Peck have publicly reunited. Two weeks ago, Bell appeared as a guest on the “Good Guys” podcast hosted by Peck and Ben Soffer. During their discussion, the duo opened up about the abuse Bell faced while working as a child actor on Nickelodeon and how it impacted their relationship.
Their Experience As Costars On Nickelodeon
In the “Quiet on Set” documentary, Bell revealed that he was the minor involved in the 2003 sexual assault case against Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck. Between the end of “The Amanda Show” (2002) and the start of “Drake and Josh” (2004), Bell confided in his mom about the abuse. When he began to film “Drake and Josh,” Bell’s case was underway but no one was aware, since Brian Peck had not yet been arrested.
Describing how Brian Peck and his pending legal case felt “everpresent” on the Nickelodeon set, Bell said his anxiety became all-consuming, causing him to lose his hair. This created a separation between him and Josh Peck. Bell explains:
“I’m doing the thing I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve got my partner to do it with. When this drops, is Josh going to look at me like, ‘Bro you took our dream away.'”
Peck expressed how he was completely unaware at the time and believed that Bell simply did not want to be friends anymore.
However, when Brian Peck was officially arrested, Josh Peck sensed something was wrong. On the podcast, he recalled asking Bell if he had been in contact with Brian Peck, to which Bell responded: “No. Brian’s a really bad guy.”
In 2004, Brian Peck was found guilty of two charges of sexual abuse and spent 16 months in prison. Since Bell was legally a minor at the time, his identity remained concealed until the 2024 documentary.
Their Relationship with Amanda Bynes
During the podcast episode, they also reflected on their relationship with another Nickelodeon costar, Amanda Bynes. Peck explained that he runs into her every two to three years and described her as a great person with a great heart. Bell claimed that he lost contact with her after “The Amanda Show” ended in 2002. However, in 2016, after seeing her legal and personal struggles reported in the news, Bell reached out through social media to express his support. He also added that during their time on Nickelodeon, he viewed Bynes as “his idol.”
Their Journeys with Substance Abuse
Additionally, Peck and Bell bonded over their shared experiences with substance abuse and rehab. After feeling like he had nowhere else to turn, Bell checked into a Nashville rehabilitation center in 2023. During his time in rehab, he felt relief in knowing he was not alone in his struggles and gained the strength to publicly speak about the abuse he endured at Nickelodeon.
Peck also shared his recovery journey. He discussed how experimenting with drugs and alcohol during his teenage years provided him with a newfound confidence and sense of freedom. After participating in a 12-step rehab program, Peck became sober in 2008.
Did you listen to the podcast? Tag us, @VALLEYmag , and let us know!
vf7shs