Drake Bell, a former Nickelodeon star, has accused the network of failing to provide residuals for his work on ‘Drake & Josh,’ a sitcom that has remained popular on streaming platforms despite its initial run ending in 2007. Throughout his comments on The Unplanned Podcast, Bell highlighted his frustration with the network’s approach to residual payments, which he described as exploitative.
Bell emphasized that while many networks typically offer ongoing financial compensation for the continued use of a performer’s work, Nickelodeon only provides a one-time payment for actors’ original contributions. He criticized the network for taking advantage of child stars by not offering ongoing financial benefits, a practice he believes is unfair and part of the broader issue of how networks treat young performers.
He also addressed the misconception that child actors become affluent due to their work, clarifying that the financial benefits are often limited to their initial payments. Bell stated that despite the show’s continuing popularity, he and his co-star Josh Peck have not received any additional income from its ongoing success, a situation he views as a form of exploitation.
In addition to the residual payment issue, Bell raised concerns about the network’s handling of past allegations, including the sexual abuse incident he faced while working at Nickelodeon. Despite the ongoing popularity of his show, he emphasized the financial difficulties he continues to face due to the lack of residual payments, highlighting the broader issue of how networks treat their young performers.