RTV Blog #1

More than Fame & Fortune:
Three Reasons to Watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians

From left to right: Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian,

Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, 

and Kris Jenner

Premiering back in October of 2007, Keeping Up With The Kardashians (KUWTK), a reality television show on E!, focuses on both the professional and personal lives of the six women of the Kardashian-Jenner family. The six women of the Kardashian-Jenner family consists of Kris Jenner, the matriarch and "momager" of the family (Monteverde, 154); Kim Kardashian, a business woman, model, and middle sister of the siblings; Kourtney Kardashian, the oldest sister and mother of 3; Khloe Kardashian, the wildest and loudest sister; Kendall Jenner, a model  and the Kardashian sister's half sibling; and Kylie Jenner, the baby of the group and the Kardashians sister's half sibling.  From clothing lines to make-up lines, starring in music videos to walking on the runway, these women manage to maintain their fame and their time with family in each episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.  As Jeff Jensen, a journalist for Entertainment Weekly, stated in an article about the TV series, "It's essentially a conventional family sitcom.".  Similar to June Deery's beliefs about fame, many people believe the Kardashian-Jenner women are "famous for being famous", but they are a good example of a strong family, role models for both men and women, and a great source for styling advice.  

One reason to watch KUWTK is its good example of a strong family who has each other's back through thick and thin.  In episode 1 of season 10, the girls support Kris while she struggles to cope with her divorce from Bruce Jenner.  This moment in the show reveals how the girls were able to come together as a family to support their mother through her difficult time.  Throughout the series, the family faces struggles similar to this one.  Each time, they manage to come together to show their strong support and devotion for their family members.  

Khloe Kardashian on the cover of
Shape Magazine

A second reason to watch KUWTK is the great role models the Kardashian-Jenner women can be for both men and women.  Since season 1, viewers of the show have called Khloe Kardashian the "fat sister".  The cruel nickname began to spread through the media and later caused Khloe to feel as if she was not good enough for Hollywood's eyes.  Instead of bringing negativity into her life, Khloe began to care more about her health.  Her weight and her lifestyle drastically changed.  In episode 13 of season 12 Khloe stated, "I want to be an inspiration to many others, I want to be the push that others need to find their way".  To help men and women feel healthy and good about themselves, Khloe began to share her exercise routine and her meal plans.  Men and women everywhere loved her health advice so much that E! offered Khloe her own show titled "Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian".  

Showing men and women how to get healthy and love their bodies is not the only reason why the Kardashians are great role models.  They are also great role models because they stand up for themselves.  The women receive hate very often on social media.  Some people would sit back and take the hateful comments but not these 6 women.  Instead, they stand up for themselves and for each other.  In a recent episode, Kim Kardashian was insulted on Twitter for posting photos that people felt were unnecessary.  Instead of taking the comments she said, "There are enough problems in this world, it's not necessary to tear each other down especially when it's one woman insulting another".  With great health and attitudes, these women also have great style.

The Kardashian women wearing their
own style of clothing in a family photo

A  third and final reason to watch KUWTK is the great styling advice the audience can receive from watching an episode.  Each woman has their own unique style and look.  The women like to experiment with unique pieces of clothing and accessories and want their audience to do the same.  Kris Jenner is often criticized for wearing clothing that "isn't appropriate for her age".  In a recent episode Kris Jenner told her daughters, "I love myself and wearing creative and fun clothes makes me love myself even more".  These women often express that what you wear should not depend on your size or age.  Kylie Jenner's style goes beyond clothing.  She often wears different colors and styles of wigs.  Kylie often says that changing her hair makes her feel like a new person.  The Kardashian-Jenner's styling advice has great value for the audience whom are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone and trying new styles and looks.  

Keeping Up With The Kardashians provides a great source of entertainment for an audience and also provides a great example of a strong family who has each other's back through thick and thin.  Though family is of great importance to the stars of the show: Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, health and sticking up for yourself have great importance as well.  While being great role models for both men and women, these 6 women who vary in height, size, and age, are also able to give great styling advice.  Having a strong family, being great role models, and giving great styling advice are just three reasons why Keeping Up With The Kardashians is more than just fame and fortune.   

                                                     

                                                       Works Cited

Deery, June. Reality TV. Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2015

Jensen, Jeff. "The Kardashian Sisters: Why Are These Women Famous?" Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2010, http://ew.com/article/2010/08/27/kardashian-sisters-why-are-these-women-famous/

McDonnell, Andrea. "Keeping Up With The Kardashian Brand: Celebrity, Materialism, and Sexuality." Journal of American Culture. vol. 39, no. 1, Mar 2016, pp. 105-106. doi:10.1111/jacc. 12481.

Monteverde, Giuliana. "Kardashian komplicity: Performing post-feminist beauty." Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec 2016, pp. 153-172. Art & Architecture Source, doi:10.1386/csfb.7.2.153_1.