It is the end of an era. After a truly impressive 14 seasons, the Kardashians have announced that they are done with Keeping Up With The Kardashians. What started as a pretty colour-by-numbers fly-on-the-wall reality show quickly became an international sensation full of drama and comedy, weddings and divorces, turning Kim and her army of brunettes into some of the most famous people in the world. Fans will be bereft, but let's be honest: this is not the last we'll see of America's real First Family. It's just this particular programme that's hanging up its hat.
First, consider the lengthy farewell statement. 'It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,' it reads. 'After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years – through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way. Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience and, most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who’ve spent countless hours documenting our lives.'
Kim and the rest of the family, then, are indisputably announcing that they are done with KUTWK, but that surely doesn't necessarily mean that their foray into reality television is at an end. They are careful not to state that they are done with the concept, or express the sentiment that being filmed living their lives was fun while it lasted but has now worn thin.
Perhaps, they are planning a side-step, or a new franchise, beyond the E! channel and it's current production team. Maybe they have realised that they need a new approach, considering how their fame now means that key storylines become public knowledge months before broadcast. In a world where streaming has become far more lucrative and wide-ranging than the more traditional TV alternatives, would it not make sense to explore the format via a new avenue, like Netflix or Amazon Prime?
For Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie and Kris, reality television is no longer their sole source of income. The exposure that the programme has afforded them meant that they could launch lucrative careers in modelling, beauty, fashion and brand affiliations. They make good money simply from Instagram ads. Kim is training to be a lawyer. Kendall is one of the most successful models in the world right now. All but one of them have children to keep them busy. But instinct tells me that they know that all of this success is helped by the weekly advert for their lives that KUWTK provides. I don't know how much Khloe, for example, made for her recent sponsored Insta ad for Febreze, but will brands like that pay the same price in a year, if she doesn't maintain the momentum she has picked up over fourteen series? The family won't lose their following overnight, but they're not stupid: they know that their fame - and the income it provides - will fade if they simply disappear.
Keeping Up with the Kardashian fights - slider
1 of 14Kourtney vs Kim
In the latest series Kim and Kourtney have a physical fight and to be honest we're not surprised. Tension has been building between the pair for quite some time and Kourt has even confessed that she's stepping back from the reality show.
2 of 14Khloe vs Kim
Remember when Khloe shut the door on Kim when she was trying to get into the apartment and then Kim came out with the famous line, "don't be f—king rude" before hitting her with her bag? Iconic.
3 of 14Kim and Kris vs Rob
Throwback to when Kim was dating (and then went on to marry) Kris Humphries. Well, one of the stand-out moments from their relationship was the whole diamond earring incident but during that same holiday, remember when Kim and Kris argued with Rob Kardashian? After the siblings exchanged words, Kris stepped in to defend Kim but nobody was prepared for when Rob called her a "wh-re".
4 of 14Kylie vs Kendall
So Kylie and Kendall aren't full time cast members but whenever they're on screen they know how to make their mark. While the pair were getting ready at Kylie's house, Kendall wanted to borrow one of her sister's dresses and it's safe to say Ky wasn't having it. Kylie refused to lend her the dress and Kendall went on to call her "the biggest f—king b-tch" and a "c—t". So much dramz.
5 of 14Kim vs Kourtney
Kim and Kourtney's row over North West and Penelope Disick's Candyland themed party went on for a few days but it reached its peak when they came to blows and almost called it off. While Kourtney was arguing it'll be too much sugar for the kids, Kim pointed out that was the whole theme of the party. Luckily they went ahead with it but the kids ended up being far too hyper… following all that candy.
6 of 14Scott vs the waiter
Scott has definitely had the best character development throughout the series. Remember the early series when he went wild with his partying? He punched the mirror in Miami and shoved money down the waiters throat? Everyone was embarrassed and of course, the following day he apologised.
7 of 14Scott vs Corey
This row still makes us cringe whenever we think about it. During dinner Kourtney revealed Penelope scratched her nanny on the face and it resulted in her quitting. Things were getting pretty heated between everyone but it certainly took a turn when Corey said if she was his child he would have given her a "spanking for sure". Oh boy...
8 of 14Kendall vs Caitlyn
It all kicked off when Caitlyn Jenner publicly announced she was going to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show that Kendall was walking. Kendall put her foot down and admitted she was "p-ssed" at her dad for taking the attention and went on to disinvite her. Awks.
9 of 14Kris vs the rest of the family
This will always be our funniest KUWTK episode. When the Kardashian sisters (and Kim's friend Larsa Pippen) were judging Kris for letting Rob stay in one of her houses, Kris put her foot down. She reminded them that she's supported them throughout all their "sh-t" including Kim's short marriage –remember her classic, "I'm married for 72 days, really that was normal"? Iconique.
10 of 14Kim vs Kourtney
Kim is pretty savage during any argument but she went a step too far when she claimed Kourtney was the "least interesting to look at" after her older sister was being difficult with the schedule for their annual Christmas card.
11 of 14Kourtney vs Jonathan Cheban
Throwback to Kourtney and Khloe take Miami (an iconic time, tbh). Jonathan should learn not to get involved in family fights. During the early days he defended Kim and ended up rowing with Kourtney. After Kourt told him "you're shoved so far up Kim's ass" and "You're such a f—king loser", he clapped back and said, "Scott's never going to marry you!" Kourt didn't take his jibe lightly and ended up slapping him around the face.
12 of 14Kendall vs Kris
The Kardashians Christmas party is one we would LOVE to go to but in 2018 things got a little awkward when Kendall wanted her dad Caitlyn to attend but Kris wasn't keen. After Kris pointed out that it could be awkward because of all the drama from Caitlyn's book, Kendall made it clear she wanted her dad there.
13 of 14Kim and Jonathan vs Khloe and Malika
While the Kardashians were on holiday, things got awkward when Jonathan Cheban told Malika Haaq that he got a bigger room because his best friend Kim is more famous than her best pal Khloe. When they all confronted each other, Kim told Khloe and Malika that she thought they had "an inferiority complex". Riiiight.
14 of 14Kendall vs Rob
When Rob started dating Blac Chyna it was awkward for the entire family but things took a turn when he gave her an iPad… that Kendall gave him for HIS birthday. To top it all off, Kendall found out through Instagram.
Who knows what comes next. Perhaps their foray into reality TV will take a more serious turn, following Kim's continuing work in prison reform and, potentially, a journey to The White House. Kendall and Kylie could return to their spin-off days as a duo, or could go it alone with their own fly-on-the-walls. If the wishes of some social media users have anything to do with it, Kris in particular will be warming up for drama again soon. Surely, if there is a Patron Saint of Reality Television, they will ensure that Kris finds her way to become a series regular on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Honestly, can you imagine?
In short, this outpouring of nostalgia is founded. This is the end of an enormous instalment in this fascinating clan's book. But you'd be wrong to think that the book is finished.
Kim: we look forward to tuning in, wherever you may go.
READ MORE: Kim Kardashian West: ‘Life Becomes A Little Bit Less About You Than It Used To Be’