Will Friedle and Rider Strong, former stars of the hit TV show “Boy Meets World,” opened up about their complicated feelings towards guest star Brian Peck on a recent episode of their podcast, “Pod Meets World.” The discussion was prompted by the upcoming docuseries “Quiet on Set,” which sheds light on allegations of child abuse behind the scenes of several Nickelodeon shows.
Peck, who appeared in only two episodes of “Boy Meets World,” was accused of molesting a child in 2003 and later convicted on eight counts of sexual abuse. He spent 16 months in prison for a lewd act against a child and oral copulation of a person under the age of 16. Friedle expressed his shock and regret at not recognizing any signs of Peck’s behavior, stating, “There’s no way I could have been manipulated like this because I was an adult.”
Both Friedle and Strong shared their personal experiences with Peck, highlighting the close bond they formed with him. Friedle revealed that Peck had become an integral part of his life, even accompanying him to various events after the show ended. He described Peck as a funny and talented individual whom they genuinely enjoyed spending time with.
The cast members speculated that Peck’s age and sexuality might have contributed to the adults’ perception of him as harmless. They acknowledged that setting boundaries between adults and children should be a priority, regardless of sexual orientation. Danielle Fishel, another co-star from “Boy Meets World,” emphasized the importance of distinguishing between homophobia and recognizing inappropriate behavior.
Friedle recalled a phone call from Peck after the allegations surfaced, where Peck attempted to manipulate the situation by blaming his victim. Friedle admitted to initially believing Peck’s version of events, stating, “My friend, this can’t be. It’s gotta be the other person’s fault.” Strong also remembered Peck admitting to the crime but framing it as a situation where he was the victim of an underage individual.
Peck had even asked Strong and Friedle to support him in court by writing letters to the judge. However, their perspective changed when one victim’s mother pointed out that their fame did not change the harm Peck had caused. Strong expressed his regret for being swayed by Peck’s manipulation, stating, “That’s the thing where, to me, I look back at that as my ever-loving shame for this entire [thing].”
Although Strong had a chilling encounter with Peck at a party years later, Friedle has not seen him in two decades. Nevertheless, both actors expressed remorse for their involvement in Peck’s life and emphasized the importance of supporting victims of manipulation and child grooming.
The podcast concluded with a message of hope, encouraging ongoing conversations about these issues and offering support to those who have been affected. The conversation shed light on the complexities of navigating relationships with individuals who have committed heinous acts and served as a reminder of the importance of standing up for victims.
In the end, Friedle and Strong’s candid discussion serves as a powerful reminder that even those closest to us can hide dark secrets. It is a call to action for society to be vigilant and prioritize the safety and well-being of children above all else.