MTV has suspended production on “Catfish” as host and executive producer Nev Schulman becomes the latest TV star to face an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct.
A spokesperson for the network said in a statement on Thursday that MTV was working with the show’s production company to look into the matter: “We take these allegations very seriously. We’re working with Critical Content, our third party production company, to conduct a thorough investigation.”
The investigation follows two YouTube videos posted by Ayissha Morgan, a woman who appeared on the show in 2015, in which she alleged that a man she dubbed “Jack” made repeated sexual advances and lewd comments while they filmed her episode. Morgan did not identify Schulman by name, though she referred to “Jack” as “the main guy on the show.”
Schulman denied the allegations in a statement to USA Today. “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,” he said. “I have always been transparent about my life and would always take responsibility for my actions — but these claims are false.”
He did not immediately return TheWrap’s request for comment.
“Catfish,” currently airing its seventh season, follows Schulman and partner Max Joseph as they investigate suspicious online relationships and document their first-time in-person encounters. The show was inspired by Schulman’s own experience being tricked into a relationship by a woman presenting a false identity online.
The Daily Beast first reported about the investigation.