MTV resumed filming Catfish in June 2018 after saying an independent investigator found allegations made by former participant Ayissha Morgan not credible and without merit. That was a production restart, not a season renewal. The later ninth-season renewal was reported in January 2024, and the series was canceled in September 2025 after nine seasons. The misconduct allegations, Schulman’s denial, and claims that the show was “fake” are separate issues—and the available reporting does not establish a court finding or prove that the series was scripted.
Why did MTV bring Catfish back in 2018?
MTV paused filming in May 2018 after Morgan, who appeared in a 2015 episode, published YouTube videos alleging misconduct involving the show’s “main guy” and a production assistant. The network said it would investigate with its production company, Critical Content, while filming was on hold.
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Catfish The TV Show: Season 1 | $140.71 | Buy on Amazon |
On June 23, MTV said an independent third-party investigator had found the allegations in Morgan’s videos “not credible and without merit.” The network then announced that filming would resume, citing the investigation’s results. This is MTV’s stated reason for restarting production; the available accounts do not establish the network’s full internal decision-making. TheWrap reported MTV’s statement and production decision.
Schulman denied the allegations, saying: “The behavior described in this video did not happen and I’m fortunate that there are a number of former colleagues who were present during this time period who are willing to speak up with the truth.” That was his response, not an independent determination of what occurred. TheWrap also reported Schulman’s denial.
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What is disputed about the investigation?
The accounts differ over whether Morgan participated in the investigation. MTV said it made multiple attempts to interview her. Morgan later told Vanity Fair that neither the network nor the investigator had spoken with her. A production source told Vanity Fair and The Daily Beast that witnesses were interviewed and hours of raw footage were reviewed. These reports do not establish agreement about whether or how Morgan took part.
Morgan challenged MTV’s description of her credibility, saying: “How am I not credible? If you’ve never spoken to me, then you’re basing your decisions off of videos that were created in story-time format that I put out for an audience of 400 people. That makes no sense.” Her statement and MTV’s account are competing descriptions of the process; neither should be recast as a court finding. Vanity Fair’s October 19, 2018 report describes the dispute and the statements from both sides.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Catfish fake or scripted?
The authenticity debate is separate from the misconduct allegations. The available reporting mentions claims that the show was “fake” or “scripted,” but it does not substantiate them with evidence that events were fabricated. Editing and producing a television series do not, by themselves, prove that its central events were staged. On this evidence, “fake” remains a characterization or speculation, not an established fact.
Was the show actually renewed after the controversy?
“Renewed” can blur two different events. MTV’s June 2018 announcement was that filming would resume after a pause; it was not itself a season renewal. A series overview records a season-nine renewal in January 2024 and a premiere date of April 30, 2024. It also records that MTV canceled the series in September 2025 after nine seasons. The series overview lists that later chronology. The available sources establish when the ninth-season renewal was reported, but not MTV’s reason for ordering it.
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