This is a special edition of Novie, being released prior to the bonus episode of 'Quiet on Set.' This article will largely discuss the public's invasive treatment of Amanda Bynes. Amid ongoing discussions about the inappropriate treatment of child stars, as examined in the recently released docu-series 'Quiet on Set,' Amanda Bynes has seen an increase in mentions both in traditional and social media outlets which is interesting, considering her lack of involvement in the docu-series.
To aid in this research and gather the pending visuals, a search was conducted in Brandwatch to pick up Amanda Bynes mentions across traditional media and social media outlets. The series 'Quiet on Set' explores the toxic culture and allegations of inappropriate behavior, made on behalf of child stars to the film crews of a slew of some of the most nostalgic shows Gen Z and millennials grew up with. Some of the people who came forward include Drake & Josh's Drake Bell, Zoey 101's Alexa Nikolas, and All That's Giovonnie Samuels.
The docu-series looks at the 90's and y2k TV landscape and the children who were taken advantage of. Following the release of the series, Amanda Bynes trended due to long-standing speculation of possible assault by Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider, who was put on blast by this documentary. Taking a look at the volume of Amanda Bynes coverage from January 2012 to the end of March 2024, there was a 62,488% increase in mentions for the March 2024 period. Specifically, news coverage began to spike following the March 17th release of 'Quiet on Set.' The only time prior Amanda Bynes had a news spike of that significance was in May 2012 when she was, as we know now, in the midst of a mental breakdown.
Although the negative content regarding Dan Schneider is well-deserved at this point. Especially given the amount of damning testimony throughout this docu-series and other news over the past decades, one such piece includes Jennette McCurdy's book 'I'm Glad My Mom Died,' where it is rumored that the TV producer she talks about in the book is Dan Schneider. I find the general public's want for Amanda Bynes' comment as well as their increased persistence to be her voice concerning. For someone like Britney Spears and the Free Britney movement, it’s understandable when there is public concern. But Amanda Bynes has been publically released from her conservatorship and is working on building her life back up, not to be held back by speculation from the past.
When looking at Amanda Bynes, her former work, and ongoing discussion you would want her legacy to be that of comedic talent but it seems the public has a persistence to have it be about speculative sexual assault. Over the past month, the word cloud shows that the docu-series and related abuse topics have become a trending point of conversation around Amanda Bynes. The point is, she is human just like the rest of us, and I am sure she doesn’t want her life and work to be defined by unconfirmed claims no one would ever desire. If she wanted to speak on it, she would.
I find it interesting that most of the conversation is driven by X. There are only so many publications that can post on this story, but it’s interesting that 84% of mentions are on X. What this signals to me is how people are compelled to speak on behalf of someone who doesn’t have the intention to speak on something. From what I observe, the trending topics on Twitter include 'Amanda Bynes abuse,' 'Quiet on Set' coverage, struggles of being a teen star, and the dark side of Hollywood. On a positive note, there was an onslaught of well wishes for her birthday.
The point of this article was to drive the point home that she has never made a comment on this and until she does, she doesn’t need all of us advocating for her. What she needs is silent support. Just like a lot of people, she is dealing with mental health issues, as widely reported in the news, while also striving to lead her life. Although the price of fame is giving up anonymity, I don’t think it's our responsibility to be her mouthpiece. If she licks a donut and says 'I hate America' or is rumored to spread chlamydia around the entire NYU campus in fall of 2015, like some other famous child stars, then yeah, that is getting its fair share of time on the news, X (Twitter), and Reddit respectively. But we need to stop being WebMD doctors/ therapists.
Visuals & Data made by Brandwatch
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