While COVID-19 may be stalling progress on shows across a variety of networks, MTV's Catfish: The TV Show is doing just fine, because season 9 was filmed entirely online. During season 8, earlier this year, the program averaged 440,000 total live viewers. Thanks to plenty of from viewers, host and executive producer Nev Schulman moved forward with a new season. The eighth season was also the first full season to feature co-host Kamie Crawford, who took over for Max Joseph after Joseph departed halfway through the seventh season. As Schulman and Crawford's creative partnership evolves, it seems like innovations, such as this shift to a remotely-filmed season, are only natural.
Catfish: The TV Show began in 2012 and ran for six consecutive seasons. It paused in 2018 when allegations of sexual misconduct were brought against Schulman. The pause only ended up lasting a month, however, as the allegations were deemed unreliable by a third-party investigator. Schulman launched the show after the success of the 2010 documentary of the same name, which focuses on his own experience of being duped by an online relationship.
As Schulman explained to Variety, spending so much time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has given him a newfound appreciation for human interaction...and many fans can surely relate. With that in mind, Schulman expects this season to satisfy viewers' cravings. Crawford even predicted that this season would be crazier than previous Catfish: The TV Show seasons, and expects fans to appreciate the change of scenery that a virtual season provides. Check out the teaser video below, courtesy of Nev Shulman.
If there was ever a show to succeed in a virtual environment, Catfish would likely be the one. show has been mired in controversy in the past. It will be interesting to see how the program navigates this new online territory.
The future of entertainment seems less and less certain each day, so any new content is generally welcomed. With an innovative show leading the way, fans have a lot to look forward to. Will you watch Catfish: The TV Show?
Catfish: The TV Show returns Wednesday, August 5th at 8pm EST.
Source: Variety Nev Shulman