By NICOLE HORTON
Season 9 of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” debuted on a melancholic note, as Khloe deals with the media frenzy due to her failing marriage to Lamar Odom, coinciding with his suspected drug use, along with Bruce and Kris Jenner’s announcement that they will continue to live separately while deciphering the state of their marriage.
It is apparent that this season will be a crucial one for the legacy of the Kardashian family. Season 8 had a strong debut with 3.02 million viewers, but dropped to 1.79 by the last episode of the season, generating buzz that the “first family” of reality television’s reign was coming to an end.
Kris Jenner’s talk show “Kris” was canceled after a trial run this past summer. There had also been speculation this past fall that Kardashian Kollection sales had decreased and that Kim was planning her exit from the show.
However, the two-part season 9 debut episode averaged 2.4 million viewers. It had high ratings in all key demographics and had a significant presence in social media, which quelled reports of a cancellation.
This season, viewers will see a family in transition, coping with how this large family handles the news of Bruce and Kris Jenner’s separation, Khloe’s impending divorce, Rob’s ongoing health struggle to lose weight and the deaths of Scott’s parents.
Fans witnessed yet another Kardashian milestone in the two part episode “A Surprise Engagement,” aired on Feb. 9 and 16, in which Kanye West proposes to Kim Kardashian. The event was true to Kardashian style: glamorous and at times over the top, yet still sentimental at its heart. West secretly planned the event with Kris Jenner, bringing close family and friends to AT&T Park in San Francisco.
The couple arrived in a car to a darkened stadium, with the guests hiding in the dugouts. Roman candles illuminated a 90-piece orchestra who played the Lana Del Rey hit “Young and Beautiful” as West got down on one knee and proposed with a flawless 15-carat diamond ring.
Although skeptics question when people will tire of the Kardashian’s supposedly scripted antics, it is difficult to argue that this influential family’s place in reality TV is not cemented. Fans can see the fun, glamorous lifestyles of the Kardashians.
The establishment and rise of celebrity power couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, often referred to as “Kimye,” adds to the family’s prestige. The young Jenner teenagers, Kendall and Kylie, also show promising careers in modeling and fashion. Kendall is rumored to be in a relationship with One Direction’s Harry Styles.
Going into Season 10, there will be questions about whether the decisions of the Jenner girls to not reveal all aspects of their personal lives and West’s not to have baby North on the show will impact future ratings. In the meantime, fans can relish in another romantic engagement as the couple plans their sure to be lavish wedding.
