A 2013 Hollywood.com report,[12] however, explained that despite the broadcast show being structured as a search by the hopeful for the identity of the catfish, it is usually the catfish who makes the first contact with MTV. Producers then proceed to gather information about the deception from the catfish and contact the hopeful afterwards. For legal reasons, all persons involved on the series sign contracts agreeing to appear on camera prior to the episode even entering production.