Nev Schulman, the long-time host of the MTV series "Catfish: The TV Show," has confirmed the program's conclusion after a 12-year run. In a recent interview, Schulman revealed he was never formally notified by the network about the decision and has since launched a new career in real estate to secure a stable income for his family.
Key Takeaways
- Nev Schulman confirmed MTV's "Catfish: The TV Show" has concluded after nine seasons and nearly 300 episodes.
- Schulman stated he learned about the show's end indirectly, without official communication from the network.
- He has transitioned into a new career as a real estate agent, citing the need for financial stability for his family.
- The rights to "Catfish" are held by its producers, who are now able to shop the series to other networks for a potential revival.
An Abrupt End for a Long-Running Series
After more than a decade on the air, MTV's popular reality series "Catfish" has come to an end. The show, which premiered in 2012, ran for nine seasons and produced close to 300 episodes, becoming a cultural touchstone for its exploration of online dating and digital deception. The final episode aired in July 2024.
Nev Schulman, who co-hosted the series since its inception, recently spoke about the unceremonious conclusion. According to Schulman, he was never officially informed by MTV that the show would not be moving forward, a situation that arose amid corporate changes involving parent company Paramount.
"I had the sense the show wasn’t going to get renewed, but there was never anything communicated to me," Schulman told Variety in a recent interview.
The lack of formal communication left the future of the series in limbo. Rather than wait for a call that might never come, Schulman decided to take a proactive step toward a new professional path. "I’m not going to sit around and wait by the phone," he stated.
A Proactive Career Shift to Real Estate
Facing uncertainty in the television industry, Schulman has transitioned into a new field: real estate. He explained that this move was driven by a sense of responsibility as a provider for his wife and three children. The decision also follows a family tradition, as his father has a background in the same industry.
"TV is unpredictable," Schulman explained. He emphasized his commitment to his family as the primary motivation for seeking an alternative source of income.
"If I’m being perfectly honest, as a responsible adult and father of three children, and someone who takes my role in this family as the provider very seriously, I thought I should have another source of income," he said.
Leveraging a Public Persona
Schulman believes his years on television have built a unique level of trust with the public, which he sees as a significant asset in his new role as a real estate agent. He suggests that the familiarity audiences have with him from "Catfish" can translate into client confidence.
He drew parallels between the emotional processes involved in his former and current professions. "There are a lot of similarities between falling in love with a person and falling in love with a property," he noted, suggesting his expertise in navigating complex personal dynamics could be beneficial in real estate negotiations.
Schulman added, "People feel as though they know me from the show, and they do. There’s a comfortability and a trust that’s been built because I’ve been in their homes, I’ve been on their TV screens.”
The Future of the 'Catfish' Franchise
While Schulman has embarked on a new career, he has not entirely closed the door on a potential return to television. The rights to the "Catfish" format are not held by MTV but by the show's producers, including Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, and Andrew Jarecki. This arrangement allows them to pitch the series to other networks or streaming services.
Show Statistics
- First Aired: 2012
- Last Aired: July 2024
- Duration: 12 years
- Total Seasons: 9
- Approximate Episodes: Nearly 300
Schulman remains optimistic about the show's enduring relevance and cultural value. He believes the core themes of the series are more pertinent than ever in today's digital age.
"We feel strongly that the show still holds a tremendous value culturally," he said. "There’s certainly no shortage of loneliness and people looking for love.” This sentiment suggests that should another platform express interest, the team would be prepared to revive the popular franchise.
For now, Schulman is focusing on building his real estate business, applying the interpersonal skills he honed over years of investigating online relationships to the world of property transactions. His career change marks a significant new chapter for the television personality, moving from the screen into a more traditional, yet equally personal, line of work.
