Legendary reality show AXED after 13 years on screens as host announces huge career
After 13 years on air, Catfish: The TV Show has been axed – as host Nev Schulman hints at a huge career move and devastated fans lament the announcement as ‘the end of an era’.
The cult MTV reality series, which exposed the truths and lies behind online relationships, has officially been cancelled after nine seasons, Variety reports.
The outlet confirmed that MTV will not renew the show, though producers are free to shop the series to other networks, raising hopes it could yet be revived elsewhere.
Catfish: The TV Show launched in 2012, inspired by the 2010 documentary of the same name, and quickly became one of MTV’s most enduring reality staples.
Over more than a decade, it delved into the world of digital romance, unmasking internet tricksters while offering candid insight into modern dating.
Fans flooded social media with tributes following news of its axing.
After 13 years on air, Catfish: The TV Show has been axed – as host Nev Schulman (M) hints at a huge career move and devastated fans lament that it is ‘the end of an era’
The cult MTV reality series, which exposed the truths and lies behind online relationships, has officially been cancelled after nine seasons
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘That’s the end of an era – Catfish was one of MTV’s longest-running reality staples.
‘Nev Schulman really turned a single documentary into nearly a decade of stories about online relationships.’
‘Gonna miss this show,’ said a second, while a third added: ‘Wow, end of an era. That show really changed the way we look at online relationships.’
Another admitted, ‘I’m actually really sad about this, watched this for years,’ while a fifth reflected, ‘we are losing important work.’ A sixth summed up the mood simply: ‘End of an era, this show was wild.’
The cancellation follows a hint from host Nev Schulman that his own career is shifting in a different direction.
The 40-year-old, who fronted the series from the beginning, recently shared a clip of himself cycling through the busy streets of New York in a blue suit, sunglasses and a helmet.
Overlaying the video, he wrote: ‘On my way to help you buy/sell your dream home.’
He clarified in the caption: ‘In my real estate era.’
Variety confirmed that MTV will not renew the show, though producers are free to shop the series to other networks, raising hopes it could yet be revived elsewhere
Catfish: The TV Show launched in 2012, inspired by the 2010 documentary of the same name, and quickly became one of MTV’s most enduring reality staples
Over more than a decade, it delved into the world of digital romance, unmasking internet tricksters while offering candid insight into modern dating
Nev officially joined Coldwell Banker Warburg as a licensed real estate agent in September and appears to be concentrating on his new venture. He has not explicitly confirmed whether he is leaving reality television altogether.
His followers, however, were quick to connect the dots. One asked bluntly: ‘Where’s catfish Nev?’ Another pleaded: ‘We need you back into the Catfish era!!’
A third complained: ‘At least when Max and Kamie left they had the decency to tell us they were leaving the show. This feels a bit like you’re ghosting us,’ referencing his former co-hosts.
Max Joseph co-hosted Catfish alongside Nev from its inception until his departure in August 2018 to focus on filmmaking.
Several guest hosts temporarily joined before Kamie Crawford became Nev’s full-time partner in 2020. Kamie herself stepped away in 2024.
Catfish’s mix of human drama, suspense and emotional honesty helped it stand out in a crowded reality TV landscape, while also transforming the way audiences understood online dating.