This is, I hope, the first in a series of weekly articles I plan to write that aim to analyze the infamous reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. As some readers may know, I’m an UBER stan of all things Kardashian-Jenner. I love Kanye West, Kylie Cosmetics, and have even dabbled in reading Poosh, Kourtney Kardashian’s lifestyle blog that’s essentially just her old app remodeled onto a free website. While watching a new episode of season 16 this week, I found myself identifying several parts of the show that warranted discussion far beyond the cost of the Kardashian-West holiday party or the size of Kim’s tush in those workout pants. Those are important topics too, but I’m going to dive a bit deeper.
But why analyze something that’s basically an intellectual escape?
Well for two reasons. First, a lot of people don’t take the Kardashians seriously. They may concede that their business ventures are undeniably successful while still degrading the show and reality television in general. I think in some sense I’m trying to prove to the naysayers that there’s a lot to be gained from this show besides “escapism.” Second, I intellectualize and psychoanalyze everything. It’s what I do, my raison d’être. Get used to it, readers, and sorry in advance.
So what happened this week?
Like many reality shows, KUWTK weaves a few stories throughout the course of each ~45-minute episode, sometimes presenting a theme or moral at the end. Not unlike a Disney movie, we’ll often hear Kim or Kris give us a moral “ism” that assures us we’re not just watching this show for sh*ts and gigs. There’s something to be learned, however mundane or obvious. This week’s episode, titled “Christmas Chaos,” followed Kim and Kanye’s plan to take over Kris Jenner’s infamous Christmas Eve party. Noting to Kris that all of the next-gen of Kardashian-Jenners are burnt out by the annual party, Kim decides to take on the tradition herself, saying that it’s time to “pass the baton.” An emotional Kris agrees, noting that it’s “right” but that it means she’s getting old. “No, you’re not,” Kim assures her.
This part strikes me because the Kardashian-Jenners are often scrutinized for their excessive plastic surgery and their unrealistic appearances given what they looked like just a few years ago (or in some cases, just a few weeks ago). These surgeries and beauty regimens may of course just be for vanity or for business, but I wonder if the anti-aging process is also meant to combat the greatest fear all humans share: death. As Kris cries about getting older, Kim gets emotional too: “it’s just a party,” Kim reasons. But after losing her father when she was only 22, it’s fair to assume that Kim’s closeness with her mother is also marked by a universal human fear: that some day she and others she loves will die. Of course, that’s not all this conversation is. Kris’s emotions also revolve around a tangible shift in “order,” that her daughter is taking on a tradition she loved to uphold. Though it’s partially deeply upsetting and even morbid, Kris’s tears also come from a pretty standard change. Reminder to self: Not everything is about death and dying. A lot of things are, but not everything.
B-Plot: The Tale of Blacktail
A smaller plot in this episode is the death of North’s hamster, or as Kim and Khloe would write: “hampster.” Remember that hamster one Auntie Koko bought for North without Kim’s permission? Well, sadly, it died. Kim and Khloe talk about the hamster’s death, and Kim recounts that North actually asked to see Robert Kardashian’s tombstone (North’s late grandfather). When Kim asks if North is afraid, North says “it’s not like Michael Jackson Thriller.” In other words, North is able to discern different depictions of death pretty astutely. Regardless, she still can’t tell the difference between the old Blacktail and the new Blacktail when Mommy and Koko have to replace the dead hamster — a universal challenge many parents face when they mistakenly buy their child (or niece) a pet of any kind.
I enjoyed this part of the episode because it felt like “normal” human behavior without being forced. KUWTK will often create plots that are obviously for the sake of the show’s movement, but this didn’t feel that way. Even if the producers did nudge Khloe to get the hamster in the first place, I doubt they killed it for ratings (although, honestly, you never know). Kim and Khloe going around to different pet stores in Kim’s Rolls Royce was a reminder that though these two stand in a socioeconomic spot above most of humanity, their antics remain parallel to the rest of us.
Blending Families
Kim’s cousin Cici (lovingly known by the family as “Chonch”) also makes an appearance in this episode, tied into the story-line about Caitlyn Jenner’s presence at the Christmas party. When Kim, Scott, and Cici talk about inviting Caitlyn, Cici is openly shocked. Her gasps might be exaggerated for the effect of the show, but Caitlyn is certainly a controversial figure in the Kardashian-Jenner world. After shaming Kris for her role in suppressing Caitlyn’s true identity, Caitlyn was essentially written off by Kris and the Kardashian-Jenner children. Still, she’s Kylie and Kendall’s Dad, so Kim tries to make it right by inviting her (first getting tentative permission from her Mom and sisters). When Kim and her sisters call Kris to try and rectify this invitation, Kris assures them it’s fine, insisting “vodka is my friend.”
Caitlyn’s appearance at the party isn’t talked about much more in the episode. The party’s more notable guests include Sia, JLo, Paris Hilton, and one currently disgraced Jordyn Woods. We’ll undoubtedly hear more about Jordyn’s demise when the season comes to a close.
This episode also has Kourtney and Scott’s infamous “modern family” trip, from whence we got the iconic “Three’s Company” pic from the Lord’s Instagram. When confronted by Kris about the general “weirdness” of this situation (I mean, as a person with a blended family I can appreciate the effort from both parties on this one, but it’s undeniably weird), Kourtney declares with laughter “I had a great time.” I’ll give Kourtney a few points for her apparent maturity in this episode despite several hiccups she’s had with Scott in the past. We don’t know much about Sofia yet from the show, but it seems that her relationship with Scott has only gotten better and more legit. After all, this is probably the most grounded we’ve ever seen him.
The Takeaway
They’re just like us, with more money. I’m not one of those people who thinks that money can’t provide happiness. It can! But only to an extent. These are some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world, but they are not immune to the root causes of human struggle: death and family. Kim’s hesitation to talk to her daughter about what really happened to Blacktail 1.0 is an issue parents and children often go through. At what point do we break it to children that the things they love will go away forever? And, conversely, how do we tell our aging parents that we think it’s best they sit something out? It’s not easy, and it’s wrapped in a pretty bow in this episode when Kris notes it’s actually nice to not have the party burden on her shoulders, but emotion and anxiety about mortality do seep through.
Of course, this wouldn’t be Keeping Up without a little family politics. Khloe and Kourtney advise Kim to “uninvite” Caitlyn from the Christmas party, and both Kim and Kris hesitate. We’ve probably all been on both ends of this spectrum, whether we’re currently acting as peacemaker or protector. We’ll see how these roles shift when we’re finally privy to the semi behind-the-scenes look at Jordyngate in just a few weeks.
Chat later, dolls!
Liz Heit 