Oprah's Unauthorized Cameo: Josh Peck Apologizes for 'Drake & Josh' Scandal

A Look Back at the Infamous “Drake & Josh” Episode Featuring Oprah Winfrey

Josh Peck, best known for his role as Josh Nichols on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom “Drake & Josh,” recently opened up about a scene from the show that involved one of the most powerful figures in entertainment—Oprah Winfrey. The episode, titled “Josh Runs Into Oprah,” was part of the show’s fourth season and has since become a memorable moment for fans.

During an appearance on the podcast “Syd & Olivia Talk Sh*t,” Peck admitted that the network never sought permission from Winfrey to use her likeness in the episode. He recalled the process of filming the scene, which involved a stunt double who wasn’t officially sanctioned by the network. “She was a stunt lady, because she had to do the roll over the car. I was like, ‘Oprah is going to come after you. She’s powerful,'” he said, highlighting the tension surrounding the scene.

The 2006 episode, which marked the season premiere of the show’s final season, depicted Peck’s character, Josh, crashing into an Oprah look-alike with a moving object. The chaotic scene ended with Josh being issued a restraining order by his idol. Peck expressed disbelief that the scene made it past the script stage, calling it “insane” that the entire plot revolved around hitting Oprah and yet it was approved.

Despite not being the original idea, Peck took the opportunity during the podcast to formally apologize to Winfrey. “I’m so sorry I brutalized you with my vehicle, with my Honda Accord, or whatever it was.” His apology came with a sense of humor, as he reflected on how the scene still resonates with fans today. “It’s weird how much that scene still circulates. I’ll randomly get tagged in memes…”

While Winfrey has never publicly retaliated against the network or the actors involved, the incident highlights the challenges of using real-life figures in fictional content. It also raises questions about the responsibility of networks when it comes to securing proper permissions for such scenes.

Peck remains proud of the show’s legacy, noting that its slapstick style and unconventional approach set it apart from other sitcoms of the early 2000s. “It was such a wild concept, even by early 2000s sitcom standards. But I think that’s what made it so memorable. We were doing slapstick comedy, and it just went there full-on.”

The Broader Context: Scandals and Reactions

Peck’s admission about the unauthorized scene is just one of several revelations about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Nickelodeon. The actor has also spoken about the controversies surrounding his co-star, Drake Bell, who was featured in the 2024 docuseries “Quiet On Set.” This five-part documentary exposed the toxic environment within children’s television programs from the 1990s to the 2000s, including issues related to the show’s dialogue coach, Brian Peck (who is not related to Josh Peck).

Following the release of the series, Peck shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing the importance of protecting children. “Children should be protected. Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families as well as necessary change to our industry,” he wrote.

Fans, however, criticized Peck for not speaking out more in defense of Bell. In response, Bell posted a TikTok video asking fans to be kinder to Peck, acknowledging that the situation was difficult and that his former co-star had reached out to support him through the process.

“Not everything is put out to the public. … But he has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this and it’s been really, really great,” Bell said.

These events highlight the complex relationships and responsibilities that come with working in the entertainment industry, especially when it involves real-life figures and sensitive topics.