by Hailey Harris | October 5, 2020

Drama, intrigue, and Hollywood’s “It Girls.” Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) has aired since 2007, essentially the entire lives of the Class of 2024. Over the course of 14 years and 20 seasons, viewers have seen each and every detail of Kourtney’s, Kim’s, Khloé’s, Kendall’s, Kylie’s, and mom Kris Jenner’s lives. Without KUWTK we would not have iconic lines like “Kim, there’s people that are dying,” “You’re doing amazing sweetie,” and “Kim, would you stop taking pictures of yourself, your sister is going to jail.” Sadly, we have reached the end, and KUWTK’s last season will air in early 2021. At this end of an era, we should take a moment to acknowledge everything the show did for American pop culture.

Whether you like KUWTK or not, there is no denying its lasting impact on entertainment broadcasting. KUWTK is one of the founding pioneers of the “Reality TV” genre. The idea of the show was born when Ryan Seacrest, an executive producer on the show, wanted to launch a reality TV show. A cameraman was sent to film the Kardashians having a barbecue, and the rest is history. Anyone who has seen the show knows how much can happen at one of the family’s outdoor dinners. From food fights to tossing siblings in the pool, Seacrest knew the Kardashians had what it takes. When the show first aired, reality TV then was very different from what it is today, thanks to the Kardashians. The show was one of the many glimpses into the everyday lives of celebrities. Viewers had the opportunity to see everything: the highs of fabulously otherworldly parties, the lows of intense family fights, and the monotony of everyday life of just sitting around a kitchen counter eating salad. Fans have seen the Kardashians change, evolve, and grow up into the incredibly successful family they are today, all because of the show. After the success of the first few seasons of the show, five spin-off shows were launched. A lot of the reality TV shows we see today would not be as successful if it were not for the Kardashians impact on entertainment.

Along with their lasting impact on the entertainment industry, they have influenced fashion trends, makeup styles, and even social media. Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian are the fifth and seventh most followed people on Instagram, with 194 million and 187 million followers respectively. By posting eye catching pictures of places they visit, or themselves alone or with family, all five sisters have completely impacted how social media is used by celebrities and fans. But now, the time to say our goodbyes to Keeping Up with the Kardashians has arrived. The show has affected all sorts of industries and will forever have that lasting impact. We have kept up with the Kardashians for 14 years, and I believe we will be keeping up with them for many more.