Filmmaker and host of MTV's Catfish Max Joseph has announced he will be leaving the show, calling his seven-year stint "one of the most meaningful experiences" of his life.
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In a statement on Twitter, Joseph explained that he was being stretched too thin in his work life to continue making the hit series.
"For a while now I have been straddling two careers as TV host and filmmaker and, while this level of busyness is a dream come true, my life can no longer sustain it," he wrote.
"With Catfish still going strong after 7 seasons, 115 episodes, 31 specials and showing no sign of slowing down, I feel it is finally the time for me to make my exit."
In 2015, Joseph took a five week hiatus from filming Catfish in order to direct the movie We Are Your Friends, starring Zac Efron. He was replaced by a different celebrity guest host for each episode he missed.
"Although I have a heavy heart, I am also excited for everything that's to come for myself, for Nev, for our crew and for the show," he continued.
Joseph thanked Catfish fans for watching and making memes about the show - which documents the process of uniting couples who have met online but never in person.
Often it turns out that one of the people involved is a 'catfish' - someone who is using a false online identity to deceive an unwitting partner.
The filmmaker also made special mention of his co-host Nev Schulman, who he called his "brother".
In his own statement regarding the announcement, Schulman gushed about his co-host and "best friend".
"His ability to listen, empathise and advise is astounding. Nobody cuts through the noise and dishes the hard truth better than he does.
"As sad as I am though that Max is leaving the show, it brings me great joy to know that he is following his heart."
Joseph's final episode will air in the US later this month. There's no word as yet on who will be replacing him on the show.
Newshub.
