14 Things That Happened on Set of Kids Shows That You Weren’t Supposed to Know
Uncover the shocking, behind-the-scenes secrets of beloved kids' shows, where hidden feuds, secret struggles, and unexpected controversies lurked beneath the surface of childhood nostalgia.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Behind the warm smiles and clean-cut moments of children’s television, there are untold tales of turmoil, drama, and concealed struggles. From battling cast members to covert controversies and physical sacrifices made by actors, children’s entertainment is not as picture-perfect as it seems. This list of outrageous behind-the-scenes secrets provides a sneak peek at the darker side of favorite childhood shows, revealing the true tales that were kept from audiences for decades.
1. The Dark Side of “Sesame Street” (1970s)
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In the 1970s, some Sesame Street puppeteers snuck cigarettes in between filming. This was not seen by the public because the show was supposed to be a good example of good habits. Ironically, some of the characters, such as Oscar the Grouch, were shown to have a “bad” attitude — an image that also concealed the less-than-perfect behavior that occurred off-camera.
2. “The Magic School Bus” Secret Toxic Chemistry
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The cartoon show The Magic School Bus sought to make science fun, but voice actress Lily Tomlin inadvertently learned a chilling secret. The “magic” of the bus was initially a metaphor for entering into chemical reactions — until it became known that the animators had employed toxic chemicals in some prop models. Safety and health protocols were subsequently enhanced.
3. “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” Secret Feud
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Even though he was the personification of niceness on television, Fred Rogers wasn’t always the most cooperative guy to be around off-camera. A long-standing, implicit feud existed between him and the producers who wished to add more flashy content to attract younger viewers. At times, Rogers refused to give in to compromise on his vision and stuck to the quiet, contemplative tone of the show, creating tension on the set.
4. “Barney & Friends” and the Dark Side of the Suit
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The person in the Barney suit, David Joyner, also underwent extensive training to become the popular purple dinosaur. It also came with a toll on his body — a number of actors who performed in the suit disclosed that they would often pass out because of the scorching heat within. Though the show was all about spreading smiles and positivity, the performers behind the scenes often endured pain in silence.
5. “The Rugrats” Cast Feels the Crunch
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During The Rugrats recording sessions, the voice actors were subjected to tremendous pressure. The high-pitched, baby-like voices of the show were usually tiresome for the actors to sustain, particularly when recording for hours on end. The crew would occasionally have to re-record the same lines over and over again, making many feel drained and frustrated.
6. “Arthur” Animators Hated the Theme Song
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The theme song for Arthur may be catchy and upbeat, but the animators hated it in secret. The song was supposed to be short, but it got longer because people requested it. Thus, the animators were forced to listen to the same opening sequence repeatedly, which made it one of the most feared aspects of the production process.
7. “Full House” On-Set Tension Between the Olsen Twins
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While Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen acted out the sweet Michelle Tanner on Full House, off-camera, there were whispers of a dysfunctional relationship between the sisters. Even though they seemed to be glued together on camera, their different personalities and increasing popularity at times caused friction between them. This was hidden from the rest of the world because they were sold as the ultimate “perfect pair.”
8. “Saved by the Bell” Drugs on Set
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There were rumors of drug use by the cast of Saved by the Bell when it was being produced. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris) and others exposed that the stars of the show partied excessively and experienced some crazy off-screen antics that negated the wholesome image of the show. The behind-the-scenes shenanigans only became known when Gosselaar subsequently spilled the details in interviews years after the show had ended.
9. “Teletubbies” and Hidden Controversies
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Children might have loved Teletubbies, but the show wasn’t controversy-free. The producers had to face criticism from parents who raised questions about the educational content of the show, which resulted in debates regarding its “non-verbal” structure. Despite the criticism, the producers maintained the true effect of the show as a secret, recognizing that the idea was more of stunning visuals rather than language learning.
10. “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and Paul Reubens’ Arrest
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Paul Reubens, the notorious star of Pee-wee Herman, was arrested in 1991 for indecent exposure, which put a shadow over the popular Pee-wee’s Playhouse. The event brought about a vast restructuring of how the show was promoted, and although the arrest remained a secret for a while, the scandal would eventually tarnish Pee-wee’s status as a children’s TV personality. Despite this, the creative minds behind the show nevertheless continued to vouch for Reubens’ work, deciding against a flat cancellation of the series.
11. “Blue’s Clues” Behind-the-Scenes Drama
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Blue’s Clues’ first host, Steve Burns, experienced plenty of pressure when the show aired. He not only sensed the burden that came with being the program’s face but also dealt with a deep sense of loneliness on account of the heavy time demands. In a shocking departure, Steve quit the show, and there were rampant speculations as to why he quit — most believed burnout, but it later turned out that he needed to take time off to work on his own mental well-being.
12. “The Simpsons” Hiding Unseen Deaths
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Years ago, the fans thought that The Simpsons voice artist Harry Shearer’s passing was part of a grand deception, but it later emerged that the show’s producers had been concealing true deaths from the public eye. Interestingly enough, the untimely demise of Shearer’s close working partner within the first few years was concealed, even though Shearer and the rest of the leading cast had been trying to cope with the loss. The creators didn’t want to distract from the show’s fun, carefree tone, even if it meant keeping personal hardships behind closed doors.
13. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” On-Set Feuds
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Though The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a success, there was some real tension on set between Will Smith and the rest of the supporting cast, especially towards the later seasons. Cast members such as Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton) have spoken openly about how there were times when the stars would fight over creative choices, with Smith taking more control over the show’s direction. The tension ultimately resulted in shifts in the show’s tone as it progressed.
14. “Lassie” and the Canine Star’s Secret Struggles
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The popular canine lead of Lassie (played by several Rough Collies during the series) had a hidden battle that the show kept from the public. Although the dog’s performance seemed perfect on television, the trainers had to contend with moody behavior, particularly with the dogs being overworked and frequently stressed by the grueling schedule. Lassie’s performance was much more meticulously choreographed than audiences ever knew, with many retakes and special treatments.