Analysis Of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'

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Keeping up with the Kardashians, is a reality docu-soap that presents the lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family on the television screen. The Kardashian-Jenner family members that are currently on screen, include Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner (formerly the Olympian Bruce Jenner), Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Scott Disick and Kanye West. This docu-soap has shown tremendous success ever since its first airing in 2007, with several spin-off docu-soaps being released and the Kardashian-Jenner’s rising fame gaining international recognition (Eonline 2015). This American reality television series has aired on channel “E!” and is currently in its 10th season, with the focus still being on the family’s …show more content…
In order to showcase both genres, the presence of melodrama and realism in the docu-soap assist in that aspect. Melodrama is a characteristic that is authentic to soap operas (Ien 60), while realism is a characteristic that is authentic to documentaries in general (Dovey 137). Both stylistic devices will be discussed in further detail throughout this essay. The narrative structure utilized by Keeping up with the Kardashians is of a factual serial form. Specifically a relationship-based reality docu-soap (Ikayluk and Doronyuk 73). In Keeping up with the Kardashians there is a blending between series problematic and the overarching story (Currie 41). Series problematic being the Kardashian-Jenner lifestyle and all the perks and issues that accompany it, with new appearances made by different people every episode. The overarching story in each season differs on the actual lives of each member of the Kardashian-Jenner family (Edwards 5; Currie 42). Season nine primarily focused on Khloé’s ending relationship with Lamar Odom and its aftermath. Meanwhile, season 10 has shown to be the focus mainly on the family’s reactions to Caitlyn’s transformation, along with the trip to Armenia (Currie 49). This combination works efficiently since not only does it relate back to what is being published in tabloids (transmediality aspect) but it also offers fans that extra insight along with continuing with the narrative (Edwards

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