Five Reasons Why We Can't Stop Watching, 'Catfish:' The TV Show

From the first MTV episode the audience engrosses in, we get hooked (pun intended). The Catfish hosts, Nev Schulman and Max Joseph, take you on a truth revealing (sometimes ugly) journey where a lovestruck party suspects their online partner is not who they claim to be. We all have our reasons for masking the truth, but when love is involved, Nev and Max are the ones to uncover fact from fiction.

Here are the five reasons why we can't stop watching Catfish:

1. The Mystery

The moment the email is read, the person in need kinda gets put in the back of our minds and the “catfish” becomes number one. Thus, the mystery begins. We are instantly struck by the five questions: WHO is this person? WHAT is their story? WHERE is this person at in their life? WHEN did they first start catfishing? WHY are they lying?

2. The Hosts

Nev and Max are the perfect milk and cookie TV duo. They have good chemistry, pleasant appearance, and overall charismatic balance to neutralize a stressful situation. In the majority of the episodes, it is portrayed that Nev leads and his on TV partner, Max, follows with his seemingly useless camcorder in hand... considering the glimpses the audience gets of the two, as if there wasn't a professional camera crew recording behind the scenes. However, Max still brings intellect to the show by asking questions and adding sarcasm that the audience, themselves, are conversing at the TV.

3. The Characters

The people on the show are from all backgrounds, ethics, and religions, enabling a diverse audience to relate to. This keeps the show interesting and fun to watch. I also think, this is an enticement because the show doesn’t play favorites. It doesn’t matter where you are from or who you are, when it’s love, we’ve all been there.

4. The Human Nature

The "relatability" of this show can sometimes hit home with us viewers. It’s inevitable, as humans we are weak to lying. Whether it’s the well-meaning “little” white lie or the “changing names, faces, fashion, and personality” lie, nevertheless, WE lie. It’s human nature. What this show aires is the reminder that WE AREN’T ALONE.

5. The "Happy" Ending

If you’re a hopeless romantic like I am guilty of, every time we watch Catfish, we are instantly hoping for a happy ending, right? What can we say, we’re just suckers for love... or should we say pain because not long after we start each episode, a point is hit where we know this isn’t gonna end well, yet we are still glued to the TV until the bitter end. Don’t get me wrong, we know there are couples who get their happily ever after. Although, that’s few and far in between episodes of pure heartbreak

Love born from a lie, even when nurtured with the sweetest intentions, is not guaranteed to bloom a strong, healthy relationship. We know this, so why do we hang on until the ending? Because the show does not leave us wanting entirely with, “Is that it?” At the end of every episode, Nev and Max skype each party (victim and catfish)—claiming it’s done two months later—and does an Anything new/What’s been going on/How are you recovering from the heartbreak? nosy relative check-up. Which is still a satisfying ending to an otherwise rollercoaster of emotions and drama, for the simple fact, it is closure.

Are you being catfished?

You can reach out to Nev and Max and tell them your story via their websites: here and here.