MTV halted production on their reality series Catfish the TV Show last month after a former cast member accused show host Nev Schulman and a production assistant of sexual misconduct while shooting an episode in 2015, but they have officially begun filming again after a third party investigation determined that the allegations against Nev are “not credible and without merit.”
“Although we never received a formal complaint, MTV and Critical Content immediately engaged an independent third party investigator,” an MTV spokesperson tells Us Weekly in a statement issued earlier today. “We take these matters very seriously and are committed to providing a safe working environment.”
The statement then reveals the results of their inquiry. “The independent investigator found the allegations made in the YouTube videos to be not credible and without merit.” That paved the way for Nev and Max to get back to work! “Given the results of the investigation, Catfish will resume filming,” the statement says.
After the statement was released, Nev took to Twitter to respond to a follower that expressed sorrow that he had to go through the experience. “Appreciate the support from you and so many others,” Nev replied. “Excited to get back to work!”
Nev’s wife (and mother of his daughter Cleo) Laura Perlongo also took to Twitter after the statement was released by MTV, and her message was simple:
❤️
— Laura Perlongo (@LauraPerlongo) June 23, 2018
In case you missed it, former cast member Ayissha Morgan posted a two-part YouTube video in which she accused Nev of aggressive and vulgar sexual harassment throughout her filming experience. She also alleged that a production assistant got her drunk and had sex with her after she passed out. (You can read a complete recap of her claims here.)
“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,” Nev said in a statement issued after the YouTube videos went viral. “I have always been transparent about my life and would always take responsibility for my actions, but these claims are false.”
We have been HUGE fans of Nev’s ever since his initial Catfish documentary that launched not only his career, but an awareness of “catfish” as a term and a common phenomenon in the digital age, so the news that an independent investigation has cleared him of the allegations made by Ayissha is wonderful to hear!
Catfish the TV Show is currently filming its seventh season with at least one spin-off already in the works.
Top photo: Nev and Max wearing “We call BS” shirts in protest of gun violence after the Parkland school shootings. SOURCE
Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact him via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com
