Mayim Bialik, widely recognized for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, recently engaged in a discussion about the controversial documentary series, ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’ by Investigation Discovery.
During a recent episode of her podcast, ‘Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown,’ Bialik was joined by former child actors Jenna von Oÿ and Christy Carlson Romano to delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding the documentary, which sheds light on the abuse faced by children and women on Nickelodeon sets.
Von Oÿ, known for her role as Bialik’s best friend in the 1990 NBC sitcom Blossom, shared her perspective, noting that the allegations made by women regarding their experiences with Dan Schneider at Nickelodeon weren’t dissimilar to what she had encountered on other sets during her time as a child actor.
Bialik echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that the mistreatment of women in writers’ rooms was often considered commonplace, though she emphasized that such behavior was not tolerated in the writers’ room of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ Reflecting on past attitudes, she admitted that there were instances where certain topics were deemed acceptable for humor, which she now recognizes as inappropriate.
Adding to the conversation, Romano, a former Disney star who now advocates for industry reform through the Looking Ahead program, admitted to avoiding the documentary due to its triggering content. She expressed solidarity with survivors, emphasizing the importance of collective healing and support.
The ‘Quiet on Set’ documentary series brought to light issues such as abuse, sexism, and racial discrimination prevalent on Nickelodeon sets, with numerous underage actors and crew members being affected. The revelations prompted a wave of testimonies from individuals who had experienced mistreatment, sparking a movement to stand in solidarity with survivors and enact change within the industry.