It was only five months ago that Kim Kardashian announced that Keeping Up With The Kardashians would come to an end after 13 years of filming and 285 episodes. ‘Without Keeping Up With The Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today,’ she told her fans. ‘I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 years.’ It was the end of an era and a landmark moment in pop culture.
Yet not even a year after their E! show was cancelled, the Kardashians have announced the start date for their inventively titled new Disney+ show: The Kardashians.
‘Why did The Kardashians stop KUWTK to make another show called “The Kardashians,”’ questioned one fan on Twitter. ‘As if I just saw an ad for “The Kardashians” now that KUWTK has been cancelled. The devil works hard but Kris Jenner works harder,’ added another.
Set for streaming release on Hulu for April 14, The Kardashians teaser promises that ‘all walls will be shattered’ around the celebrity family. To continue this metaphor, the trailer shows Kim, Khloe, Kendall, Kylie, Kourtney and Kris posed inside glass boxes before breaking out and striding in slow motion towards the camera.
Described by Disney as an ‘all-access pass’ into the lives of the Kardashian women, the show has been promoted as a more relaxed look into the family’s lives. ‘I hope the new Kardashian show is more real and raw,’ discussed fans online. ‘No dumb, staged or scripted storyline. No strict narratives...just raw and simple portrayal of how they live their lives.’
Confirming their hopes, Kris Jenner told reporters at Disney’s Upfront event last year: ‘In the new show, you’ll see us evolving as a family, fans want us to be who we are and since moment one, they’ve been emotionally invested in our show just like we are.’
But some Twitter users weren’t as enthusiastic about The Kardashian series’ launch. The trailer was heavily criticised for using Nina Simone’s song Feeling Good as the soundtrack, with many pointing out that Simone was an advocate for racial equality while the Kardashians have been accused of appropriating numerous cultures through their style choices throughout their careers.
‘Using Nina Simone’s song during Black History Month????!!!’ wrote one Twitter user. ‘Actively praying on your downfall for using this song,’ added another. ‘[I don’t know] Idk why Nina Simone had to get dragged into this…’ said a third.
There was also scepticism over why the show was returning with the full family (after Kourtney had labelled filming as ‘toxic’) and whether the content would be any different: 'I want the Kardashian’s new show on Hulu to be filmed like Fleabag so they all turn to the camera and start talking shit about what’s happening,' one fan suggested as a shake up.
Kim has hinted at numerous storylines in the new series, revealing that Kourtney’s ex Scott Disick would return and she ‘assumes’ her sister’s fiancé Travis Barker would also make an appearance.
Since the show reportedly started filming in September, Kourtney and Travis have gotten engaged, Kylie has welcomed her second child with Travis Scott, Kim split from Kanye West and became official with her new boyfriend Pete Davidson, meaning proposals, pregnancy and divorce could all feature on the show. That's plenty to be getting on with.
‘I hate that I’m definitely going to watch the new Kardashian show,’ said one fan on Twitter. ‘Y’all know damn well I will be tuning in for the new Kardashian show,’ added another... It's hard to blame them.
READ MORE: A Complete Guide To Every Kardashian And Jenner Child
Everything You Need To Know About The Kardashian's New Hulu Show