Kenan Thompson speaks out about 'Quiet on Set' documentary allegations

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By Nasima Khatun

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Kenan Thompson has now spoken out about the disturbing Quiet on Set documentary allegations.

In the wake of the harrowing revelations that were brought to light in the two-part documentary series Quiet on Set last week, the former Nickelodeon star has broken his silence.

Watch the trailer for the documentary below:

The documentary alleged that the network's producer Dan Schnider as well as other prominent figures who worked there created a toxic working environment that was brimming with sexism and racism.

Thompson, who worked on Nickelodeon's hit show Kenan and Kel, addressed the series for the first time on Wednesday's episode of the Tamron Hall Show, where he stated that it was "tough" to watch.

Kenan Thompson stated that it was "tough" to watch the 'Quiet on Set' documentary. Credit: John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty

The Saturday Night Live comedian claimed he "wasn’t really aware of a lot of" a lot of the revelations because they primarily occurred after he left the network, but he urged that a full investigation into the matter should be carried out.

"It’s supposed to be a safe place you know? It’s supposed to be a safe place for kids and to hear all about that it’s just like, 'How dare you?'" he told Hall. "I think it’s a good thing that the doc is out and is putting things on display that need to be — stories that need to be told for accountability sake."

"But it’s definitely tough to watch because I have fond memories of that place," he added before going into a little bit more detail.

"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 just, it’s really tough," Thompson continued.

When addressing the allegations against Schneider, he stated that his paths rarely crossed with the producer.

"Dan wasn't really on Kenan and Kel like that," he explained on the show. "I mean, he got a 'created by' credit but it was a different showrunner, so our worlds weren’t overly overlapping like that outside of All That' necessarily.

"It’s tough for me because I can't really speak on things that I've never witnessed," he added.

Elsewhere, the actor also said that his "heart [went] out to anybody that’s been victimized," as well as their loved ones.

Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson starred in 'Kenan and Kel' on Nickelodeon. Credit: John Nacion/WireImage/Getty

It comes shortly after Drake Bell, who starred alongside Josh Peck in their eponymous show, revealed that he had been sexually abused by a dialogue coach while he was working on The Amanda Show.

"I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep and I woke up to him... I opened my eyes and I woke up and he was... he was sexually assaulting me," he said. "And I froze, and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react."

He continued: "You know anytime I had an audition or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian's house. And it just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out.

"The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal," he added.

In 2004, after he was reported, Peck pleaded no contest to multiple sexual abuse offences including oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.

Peck spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a sex offender.

Drake Bell and Dan Schneider
Drake Bell and Dan Schneider. Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty

Despite Peck spending time behind bars, Bell stated that the abuse, which took place more than once, continued to affect him even into adulthood.

"I often look back at that time and wonder how in the world I survived," he said. "I remember all of the abusive events, but everything outside of that is very blurry to me, which is a bummer because I experienced a lot of great things in my life and my career during this time.

"But it was so overshadowed and ruined by what I was dealing with on the inside that it made it really hard for me," the Drake and Josh alum added.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org in the US, or contact rapecrisis.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222 in the UK.

Featured Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Kenan Thompson speaks out about 'Quiet on Set' documentary allegations

vt-author-image

By Nasima Khatun

Article saved!Article saved!

Kenan Thompson has now spoken out about the disturbing Quiet on Set documentary allegations.

In the wake of the harrowing revelations that were brought to light in the two-part documentary series Quiet on Set last week, the former Nickelodeon star has broken his silence.

Watch the trailer for the documentary below:

The documentary alleged that the network's producer Dan Schnider as well as other prominent figures who worked there created a toxic working environment that was brimming with sexism and racism.

Thompson, who worked on Nickelodeon's hit show Kenan and Kel, addressed the series for the first time on Wednesday's episode of the Tamron Hall Show, where he stated that it was "tough" to watch.

Kenan Thompson stated that it was "tough" to watch the 'Quiet on Set' documentary. Credit: John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty

The Saturday Night Live comedian claimed he "wasn’t really aware of a lot of" a lot of the revelations because they primarily occurred after he left the network, but he urged that a full investigation into the matter should be carried out.

"It’s supposed to be a safe place you know? It’s supposed to be a safe place for kids and to hear all about that it’s just like, 'How dare you?'" he told Hall. "I think it’s a good thing that the doc is out and is putting things on display that need to be — stories that need to be told for accountability sake."

"But it’s definitely tough to watch because I have fond memories of that place," he added before going into a little bit more detail.

"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 just, it’s really tough," Thompson continued.

When addressing the allegations against Schneider, he stated that his paths rarely crossed with the producer.

"Dan wasn't really on Kenan and Kel like that," he explained on the show. "I mean, he got a 'created by' credit but it was a different showrunner, so our worlds weren’t overly overlapping like that outside of All That' necessarily.

"It’s tough for me because I can't really speak on things that I've never witnessed," he added.

Elsewhere, the actor also said that his "heart [went] out to anybody that’s been victimized," as well as their loved ones.

Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson starred in 'Kenan and Kel' on Nickelodeon. Credit: John Nacion/WireImage/Getty

It comes shortly after Drake Bell, who starred alongside Josh Peck in their eponymous show, revealed that he had been sexually abused by a dialogue coach while he was working on The Amanda Show.

"I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep and I woke up to him... I opened my eyes and I woke up and he was... he was sexually assaulting me," he said. "And I froze, and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react."

He continued: "You know anytime I had an audition or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian's house. And it just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out.

"The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal," he added.

In 2004, after he was reported, Peck pleaded no contest to multiple sexual abuse offences including oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.

Peck spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a sex offender.

Drake Bell and Dan Schneider
Drake Bell and Dan Schneider. Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty

Despite Peck spending time behind bars, Bell stated that the abuse, which took place more than once, continued to affect him even into adulthood.

"I often look back at that time and wonder how in the world I survived," he said. "I remember all of the abusive events, but everything outside of that is very blurry to me, which is a bummer because I experienced a lot of great things in my life and my career during this time.

"But it was so overshadowed and ruined by what I was dealing with on the inside that it made it really hard for me," the Drake and Josh alum added.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org in the US, or contact rapecrisis.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222 in the UK.

Featured Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty