Who do we keep up with now? After more than a decade, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” will be ending its run next year.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye" to the reality show, Kim Kardashian West and other members of the extended Kardashian-Jenner family said in a statement Tuesday.
"We’ve decided as a family to end this very special journey,” said their social media statement, without further explanation about the move.
The series became a pop culture sensation and gave rise to a new kind of fame born of reality TV.
It also was the launch pad for several family members' fashion and beauty business empires and led to Kardashian West's surprising reinvention as a social justice crusader and aspiring lawyer.
“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," the family said.
Besides Kardashian West, others names attached to the statement were Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner; Kourtney, Khloe and Rob Kardashian, and Scott Disick.
The announcement comes as Kanye West pursues an independent run for the U.S. presidency, representing what he said is the Birthday Party.
Kardashian West's husband has faced questions about his emotional state after a rocky campaign kickoff event in South Carolina.
The show's home, the E! network, said it's a delayed farewell. The new season begins Sept. 17, with the final season to air in 2021.
The series, which debuted in October 2007, begat 12 spin-offs, including “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" and “Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian."
At the show's start, the name Kardashian was familiar to few. Some young people knew Kim Kardashian as the sidekick of hotel heiress Paris Hilton who'd been in a few episodes of Hilton’s show “The Simple Life,” and in a home sex tape that spread widely and gave a boost to her burgeoning fame.
Older people remembered Robert Kardashian, Kim’s father who died in 2003, as O.J. Simpson’s friend and attorney who acted as his spokesman in the aftermath of the killing of Simpson’s wife.
In 2006, family matriarch Kris Jenner began shopping the idea of an unscripted show about her family, at a time when the similarly themed “The Osbournes” was enjoying major popularity.
Ryan Seacrest and his production company were interested, and were sold on the idea after sending a camera crew to capture a Kardashian family barbecue.
The show was an immediate hit, and the family name became synonymous with reality celebrities, famous for being famous, who the public loved, hated or loved to hate.
The show's early focus was on Kris Kardashian and her daughters, Kim, Kourtney and Khloé, their relationships and their business exploits.
The daughters’ significant others, including Disick, Lamar Odom and Reggie Bush, were featured.
In subsequent seasons, half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner took on more prominent roles and achieved the same kind of fame as the Kardashian women.
Kendall and Kylie’s Olympian father Bruce Jenner also became a series star, especially at the time of transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner, a moment that brought transgender issues to the forefront of American entertainment as never before.
Caitlyn Jenner would appear in an unofficial spin-off, “I Am Cait.”
AP Newsroom
Wed Sep 09 2020
Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner arrive at the Kardashian Kollection launch party in Los Angeles, Aug. 17, 2011. AP file pic.
One million children in Gaza need mental health support for depression, anxiety - UN
The ceasefire has provided a vital reprieve from relentless hostilities for Palestinians, says Tom Fletcher.
Coffee and snake - Taipei pet shop aims to break down prejudice against the animal
The snake has a mixed reputation in traditional Taiwanese and Chinese culture as a symbol of either good or bad.
What are the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women?
Here are the details of the crackdown on rights imposed by the Afghanistan's Taliban administration.
A tech-savvy Maha Kumbh: India aims for a safer religious festival
Police say they are using AI-based software to count the number of people and prevent stampedes.
Trump 2.0: Crypto bet big on Trump in 2024. Can it cash in?
Crypto-aligned interests pumped millions of dollars into campaigns for President Donald Trump and pro-crypto candidates.
PKAUM urges for UM management and campus community to come together against sexual harassment
Academics have been criticized before for being in their ivory tower and out of touch with the realities and sufferings of ordinary citizens.
'Cute and murderous': How Squid Game's iconic killer doll came to life
The initial inspiration for Young-hee came from a girl of the same name on the cover of old primary school textbooks in South Korea.
US friends and foes buckle up for new 'America first' era
America's partners and adversaries both appear to be scrambling to adapt to that new reality.
Pineapple pizza debate heats up as UK pizzeria sets 100-pound price tag
As pizza has become popular globally, foreign innovations in toppings have often left Italians perplexed and aghast.
ANALYSIS - Hamas' tight grip on Gaza complicates plan for lasting peace
Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza and its hold on power represents a challenge to implementing a permanent ceasefire.
Kashmir's saffron growers experiment with indoor farming as climate pressures mount
Pampore is known for its farms that grow the world's most expensive spice - the red-hued saffron.
Trump whisperer? Italy's Meloni navigates a high-stakes relationship
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni are fast forging a new transatlantic "special relationship".
[COLUMNIST] Ceasefire in Gaza and lessons to be learnt
The main factor why Israel failed in the attack is because of the steadfastness and perseverance of the people of Gaza in enduring the suffering.
Southeast Asian cities among world's most polluted, ranking shows
Air pollution is caused by a combination of crop-related burning, industrial pollution and heavy traffic.
Thousands flock to see rare, smelly corpse flower bloom in Sydney
The plant typically does not bloom more than once every few years and it lasts only about a day.
[COLUMNIST] The WBB system: A symptom of deeper failures in public healthcare policymaking
Healthcare workers in govt services are still awaiting credible solutions to their plights, but it seems their wait may be far from over.
60 per cent of women in Malaysia have never undergone pap smear
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer that women suffer from globally and the sixth leading cancer in Malaysia.
Thailand and China to set up coordination centre to combat scam call networks
Thai police to set up a coordination centre in Bangkok, while China plans another in Mae Sot to strengthen joint efforts.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan
The ICC accuses two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan of persecuting women and girls.
PETRA to drive energy agenda during ASEAN Chairmanship, bridging boundaries and building prosperity
This will improve the lives of our citizens through economic growth that prioritises the inclusivity and sustainability agenda, says PETRA.