The Unbelievable Story: 5 Shocking Details About When Drake And Josh Actually 'Ran Into Oprah'

The iconic Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh is famous for its hilarious, chaotic energy, but one particular scene has transcended television to become a legendary internet meme: "Drake and Josh runs into Oprah." This infamous moment, which originally aired nearly two decades ago, has recently resurfaced in the news thanks to one of the show’s stars finally opening up about the controversial logistics of filming it, proving that even the most beloved childhood shows had their unbelievable behind-the-scenes secrets. As of December 2025, the story is more relevant than ever, highlighting the cultural impact of a single, wild premise.

The episode in question, "Josh Runs Into Oprah," is a masterclass in early 2000s comedy, but the central plot point—the stepbrothers accidentally hitting the world's most powerful media mogul with a car—is a moment that still makes fans wonder: How did they ever get away with that? The answer, as revealed by the actor himself, is more surprising than the scene itself, giving this viral moment a fresh, new context for a modern audience.

The Cast: Where Are Drake Bell, Josh Peck, and Oprah Winfrey Now?

To fully appreciate the cultural weight of the "runs into Oprah" scene, it is essential to understand the careers of the three colossal figures involved. From a chart-topping musician and a thriving podcaster to a global billionaire, here is a look at the current status of the stars as of late 2025.

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Josh Peck (Josh Nichols)

• Born: Joshua Michael Peck, November 10, 1986.
• Current Career Focus: Actor, Comedian, Podcaster, and YouTuber.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Peck continues his acting career with projects like the film Summer Camp (2024) and his role in the Disney+ series Turner & Hooch. He is also highly active in the digital space, hosting his popular podcast and maintaining a massive YouTube presence.
• Notable Entities: *Summer Camp*, *13: The Musical*, Disney+, *Turner & Hooch*, Podcasting, YouTube.

Drake Bell (Drake Parker)

• Born: Jared Drake Bell, June 27, 1986.
• Current Career Focus: Musician and Actor.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Bell has heavily focused on his music career, particularly embracing Latin music and culture after moving to Mexico. He has been actively performing, with appearances in 2024, and releasing new singles like "Break Your Heart" and an upcoming EP. He is also the voice of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in various animated series.
• Notable Entities: Latin music, "Break Your Heart," Upcoming EP, Voice Acting, *Found a Way* (Theme Song).

Oprah Winfrey (The Media Mogul)

• Born: Orpah Gail Winfrey, January 29, 1954.
• Current Career Focus: Media Proprietor, Talk Show Host, Actress, Producer, and Philanthropist.
• Current Status (2025): Oprah remains one of the most influential figures globally. Her estimated net worth is approximately $3 to $3.5 billion as of 2024/2025. She continues to produce content through her company Harpo, Inc., and has a major partnership with Apple TV+ for various projects.
• Notable Entities: Harpo, Inc., Apple TV+, OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), Philanthropist, Billionaire Status, *The Oprah Winfrey Show*.

The Anatomy of the Controversial Scene: "Josh Runs Into Oprah"

The episode "Josh Runs Into Oprah" was the season four premiere of the series, first airing on September 24, 2006. It immediately became one of the most talked-about storylines of the entire run, not just for its comedic timing but for its sheer audacity.

The Plot That Set Up the Chaos

The episode centers on Josh Nichols's lifelong obsession with his idol, Oprah Winfrey. Josh is ecstatic when Drake Parker manages to secure tickets for them to attend a live taping of *The Oprah Winfrey Show*. His excitement quickly turns to pure, unadulterated panic when the two stepbrothers find themselves in a chaotic situation in the studio parking lot.

In a moment of classic Nickelodeon sitcom absurdity, Drake causes a distraction, leading to Josh—who is driving—to accidentally hit a woman who is unmistakably dressed and styled to look exactly like Oprah Winfrey. The scene is quick, shocking, and the punchline is the brothers' immediate, frantic escape from the scene of the crime, with the fate of the "Oprah" character left hilariously ambiguous. It is the ultimate expression of the show's dark, yet family-friendly, humor.

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The Viral Meme and Fan Reaction

Even years after the show concluded in 2007, the "Drake and Josh runs into Oprah" moment has remained a cornerstone of internet culture. It has been transformed into countless memes, GIFs, and Reddit threads, often used to humorously depict an unexpected, catastrophic event or a celebrity encounter gone horribly wrong. The enduring popularity of the scene is a testament to the cultural impact of *Drake & Josh* and the sheer shock value of the premise.

Josh Peck’s Recent Confession: How They Got Away With It

In a wave of recent interviews and podcast appearances in 2024 and late 2025, Josh Peck provided the fresh, unique perspective that has brought this 2006 scene back into the spotlight. His comments centered on the unbelievable fact that a children's network show on Nickelodeon was able to reference a major celebrity like Oprah Winfrey in such a controversial manner without, apparently, her official permission.

The Shocking Lack of Permission

Peck, now a veteran actor and producer, admitted that he still has "no idea" how the show's production team was able to use Oprah's likeness and name so prominently. In modern television, securing the rights and permissions for a celebrity's name, image, or likeness is a rigorous, often costly, legal process, especially for a figure as globally recognized as Oprah Winfrey. The idea that the team, led by creator Dan Schneider, simply filmed the scene without a formal, pre-approved agreement with Oprah's powerful company, Harpo, Inc., is almost unthinkable by today's standards.

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Peck's recent comments reveal a kind of "Wild West" era of early 2000s TV production, where the boundaries of celebrity parody were far more loosely defined, especially on a kids' network. The actor joked about the situation, half-apologizing to the media mogul and expressing a genuine, retrospective confusion over the legality of the entire situation.

The Enduring Legacy of the Controversial Scene

The "runs into Oprah" episode serves as a powerful reminder of the show's unique comedic voice and the cultural landscape of the time. It is a moment that perfectly encapsulates the chaotic dynamic between the two stepbrothers—Drake's impulsive schemes and Josh's anxious terror—all wrapped up in a bizarre, celebrity-driven plot. The fact that Josh Peck is still talking about the scene today, expressing his disbelief, only adds to its legendary status.

For fans, the scene is more than just a meme; it is a nostalgic look back at a time when television comedy could be this edgy and unexpected. It's a testament to the writing and performance that a single, brief moment in a parking lot has become the subject of discussion nearly two decades later, proving that sometimes, the most memorable TV moments are the ones that leave you asking, "Did they really just do that?"