Boy Meets World Alums Open Up About Experiences with Brian Peck on Podcast
In a recent episode of the Pod Meets World podcast, Boy Meets World alums Will Friedle and Rider Strong shared their experiences working with Brian Peck on the hit ABC show. The episode, which aired on February 19, delved into the difficult subjects of grooming, childhood sexual abuse, and their effects on victims. The discussion was led by marriage and family therapist Kati Morton and focused on Peck’s time on Boy Meets World.
Brian Peck, who had previously worked as an actor and dialogue coach on various kids TV shows, appeared as a guest star in two episodes of Season 5 of Boy Meets World. However, his involvement in the show took a dark turn when he was arrested in 2003 and later pleaded no contest to charges of committing a lewd act against a child on the set. Peck was convicted, sentenced to 16 months in prison, and required to register as a sex offender.
Peck’s story will also be featured in an upcoming four-part ID docuseries called Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The series aims to uncover the toxic and dangerous culture that existed on the sets of Dan Schneider’s Nickelodeon children’s shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Pod Meets World podcast typically features Friedle, Strong, and Danielle Fisher recapping episodes of Boy Meets World and sharing behind-the-scenes information. However, for this particular episode, they decided to diverge from their usual format after being asked to provide a statement about Peck for Quiet On Set. They believed that their podcast episode would be a more effective platform to address the issue.
Friedle revealed that he had become friends with Peck shortly after he joined the show. He described Peck as a great, funny guy who was good at his job, and they would hang out together frequently. Strong also spent a lot of time with Peck outside of work, despite the significant age difference between them.
Cast members, including Fisher, would routinely spend time with Peck, who was openly gay. However, Fisher acknowledged that there were concerns among the cast about the boundaries being crossed. She mentioned that some cast members questioned why they were going to lunch with Peck or why he was attending parties at Strong’s house. Fisher emphasized that it wasn’t about homophobia but rather about maintaining appropriate boundaries between adults and children.
When Peck was arrested in 2003, Friedle received a call from him in tears. Peck tried to shift the blame onto his victim, and Friedle initially believed his friend’s version of events. It wasn’t until later that Friedle and Strong realized the severity of the charges against Peck. They had only heard about one incident, not realizing that he was facing a series of crimes.
Despite their initial support for Peck, both Friedle and Strong now feel immense guilt and shame for being on the wrong side of the situation. They had written letters to the judge in Peck’s defense and even attended court to support him. However, when the victim’s mother confronted them, they realized the gravity of their actions and the harm caused to the victim.
Friedle admitted that he is still affected by what he and Strong experienced during that time. He expressed remorse for being manipulated by Peck and for siding with the abuser instead of the victim. Friedle sees it as a lesson for personal growth but acknowledges that he still struggles to come to terms with his actions.
Deadline reached out to Peck’s representative for comment but has not received a response at the time of writing.
The revelations made by Friedle and Strong on the Pod Meets World podcast shed light on the dark side of the entertainment industry and the importance of recognizing and addressing issues of abuse and exploitation. Their willingness to share their experiences serves as a reminder that it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals, especially those who may be vulnerable to manipulation and harm.