The Kardashians premiered on April 14, 2022, on the streaming service Hulu; its first season consisted of 10 episodes.[5][6] Before the series debuted, it was greenlit by Hulu for a multi-season launch with a total of forty episodes.[7] The second season also consisted of ten episodes, and premiered in September 2022.[8] Ahead of the third season premiere in May 2023,[9][10] Hulu extended the episode order, renewing the series up to a sixth season.[11] The fourth season premiered on September 28, 2023.
Kim gets invited to host Saturday Night Live. Kendall is unable to participate in this episode due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. Kylie is expecting a son. Kim's son Saint finds a photo of her on the video game platform Roblox with an inappropriate meme alleging that new footage from her sex tape is soon to be released, and she considers suing the company. Khloé and Tristan are amicably co-parenting and doing joint therapy for his infidelity.
2
2
"Did Somebody Tape That?"
April 21, 2022 (2022-04-21)
Kim lands in New York City for her SNL prep. Kourtney and Travis go house hunting together at the same time trying for another baby together, via an awful experience of IVF. Khloé struggles with the constant backlash and hatred she receives from social media. She overcomes her fear after a successful interview with James Corden. Travis reveals to Kris and Khloé that he is planning to propose Kourtney.
3
3
"Live From New York"
April 28, 2022 (2022-04-28)
Kanye retrieves Kim's unreleased sex tape from Ray J's manager. Kim's SNL debut turns out to be a blockbuster, becoming the highest rated episode in years. Kris reveals to the family about the surprise proposal. However, Kourtney's egg retrieval is supposed to take place the same day when Travis is proposing her, on the day of their 1st anniversary.
4
4
"We're Celebrating Sex"
May 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)
Everything is resolved and the family reaches the hotel where they will surprise Kourtney, except for Kourtney's kids since Kris feels they are very young and might ruin the surprise. Travis proposes to Kourtney and she accepts. Back in the hotel, while everyone celebrates, Kourtney calls Penelope and Reign via FaceTime to share the happy news. Penelope bursts into tears for not being included. Kourtney feels disappointed with Kris not inviting her kids to the surprise proposal. Scott reveals his feelings about the proposal to Khloé. Kourtney and Travis begin the egg retrieval process. Khloé reveals to Kim that her and Tristan are back together.
5
5
"Who is Kim K?"
May 12, 2022 (2022-05-12)
The family urges Kourtney to have a talk with Scott to set boundaries and to establish a new "normal" following her engagement to Travis. Kim is gearing up to retake the bar exam while also trying to modestly celebrate her 41st birthday. She reflects on her marriage to Kanye, revealing that although he stated she was "forced" to speak on their divorce during her appearance on Saturday Night Live, sharing that this could not be true because a "divorce" had not even occurred yet. She also discusses her desire to make her image more respectable following events like the infamous leak of her sex tape and her overall reputation as a sex symbol, attributing this as a reason for her endeavors in law. Later, Kendall and Scott break into an argument after he begins to resent the family for not inviting him to various family functions and social situations.
6
6
"This is a Life or Death Situation"
May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)
The episode picks up in the middle of the verbal fight between Kendall and Scott. Although Scott feels as though he has been left out of preceding family functions, Kendall insists that nothing is intentional and he is simply overreacting. Kendall leaves the discussion unresolved and goes to Kourtney's to discuss the situation, wherein the sisters finally convince Kourtney to have a talk with Scott. Kim continues on her journey of fighting for prison reform and the rights of the incarcerated, talking and meeting with an ally in the legal community and rallying friends in various celebrity circles. Meanwhile, Kourtney and Travis learn that their most recent attempt at egg retrieval was unsuccessful and Khloé establishes that Tristan is most likely going to remain part of the family no matter what happens romantically, similarly to Scott and Kanye, due to him being the father of her daughter, True. Before the episode concludes, Kendall and Scott sit down once again to reach a resolution following their heated argument.
7
7
"Where I've Been and Where I Wanna Go"
May 26, 2022 (2022-05-26)
Kylie and Kris reveal their shared desires to do "normal" things together, like grocery shopping, going through the car wash, and eating from a drive-thru fast food restaurant. Following the failure of their egg retrieval, Kourtney and Travis partake in a Panchakarma cleanse to try to expel toxins from their body, eliminating factors that may be preventing them from a successful conception. To aid them in this process, they enlist the help of expert and undergo various treatments, including feet warming, hair oiling, and relaxation techniques. Meanwhile, Kim revels in her new found fashion freedom, feeling in total control over an aspect of her life that was once heavily influenced by Kanye. She shoots a cover for American Vogue, one that was initially intended for none other than her sister, Kendall, who, meanwhile, reveals to Kris that she does not feel ready to have a child. At the end of the episode, Kourtney finally talks to Scott and Kanye releases a controversial new song, titled, "Eazy", in which he nonsensically makes digs at Kim's relationship with Pete Davidson.
8
8
"Never Go Against the Family"
June 2, 2022 (2022-06-02)
Khloé's house is finally done and the family get to see her new place, where she and Scott reunite and discuss Kris' upcoming job hosting a MasterClass focusing on business. They later coach Kris on catchphrases to use and things to say during her appearance to help her articulate her feelings about life. Kourtney works on her wellness blog, Poosh, and collaborates with Gwyneth Paltrow and her own wellness brand, goop. While Kim gears up for a photoshoot with Sports Illustrated, she and the rest of the sisters reflect on their current romantic relationships, with Kim revealing she does see herself introducing Pete (or another man in the future) to her children.
9
9
"Bucket List Goals"
June 9, 2022 (2022-06-09)
Pete sends Kim a gift to greet her as she flies to the Dominican Republic to shoot her cover for Sports Illustrated and the launch campaign for her Skims swimwear line. Kourtney reveals her disdain with how certain parts of the show are being edited for release, believing that her situation with her engagement and Scott was overdramatized. She later meets with a video creator from TikTok who had been comedically imitating her, inviting him to help her kick-off her "Poosh Your Wellness Virtual Festival". Meanwhile, Khloé meets with the CEO of Good American, her clothing brand that works to provide all-inclusive sizing. The end of the episode focuses on an impending scandal, the reveal that Tristan has cheated on Khloé again, and that the other woman involved is claiming to be pregnant with his child.
10
10
"Enough Is Enough"
June 16, 2022 (2022-06-16)
The episode picks up with the family, including Khloé, learning about Tristan's infidelity via the internet. In response, the family decides to have a meeting, and, in Khloé's absence, discuss what has just been revealed. They declare that Khloé deserves better while she privately reflects on her relationship with Tristan and their life so far with their daughter. Khloé later reveals to Kendall that the drama had even caused her to faint. As Christmas approaches, Travis and Kourtney produce a festive track with their children and Kris and shoots a Christmas card with her children. Kim meets with Khloé and reassures her that she should be proud of the ongoing work she has put into her jeopardized relationship, no matter the outcome. To conclude the season, Khloé packs Tristan's clothes to be moved out and reflects on how she designed her new home with making memories with Tristan and their daughter in mind. Before the episode ends on a cliffhanger, the family receives yet another shocking piece of news.
The episode begins by picking up the cliffhanger initiated at the end of season one. The family learns with the rest of the world that Khloé's on-and-off boyfriend and father of her child, Tristan, has cheated on her once again and is expecting a child with another woman. Simultaneously, Khloé is gearing up to welcome her second baby via a surrogate. The family tries to comfort Khloé regarding the news with Tristan while keeping her positive about the upcoming birth. Ultimately, Khloé decides to let Tristan into the hospital after their first son, and second child together overall, is born.
12
2
"Prada You!"
September 29, 2022 (2022-09-29)
Going back in time from the events of the previous episode, the episode begins with Khloé revealing that she originally did not plan on discussing or filming anything regarding her surrogacy during the second season. However, uncertainty regarding Tristan's infidelity led her to bring it to light sooner than planned. Back in February 2022, Kylie goes into labor and gives birth to a son, prompting Kris and Corey to rush to her side to celebrate the birth. Meanwhile, Kourtney is focusing on planning her wedding with Travis Barker. Khloé reflects on Tristan's repeated betrayals and doubts her sense of judgement with Kim, revealing that he once proposed and she did not accept. She later gets a brain scan to see how her traumas have physically impacted her brain. Kim and Kendall discuss plans for an upcoming Prada fashion show in Milan, where Kendall is to walk the runway. Kylie and Kris go over the decisions behind picking names for their children, and Kylie reveals why she legally changed her newborn son's name from Wolf. Towards the end of the episode, Kim and Kendall fly to Milan for the fashion show.
On September 8, 2020, the Kardashian–Jenner family announced that their long-running reality television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, would be ending in 2021.[14] The series had been on-air since 2007 and ran for 20 seasons on NBCUniversal's E! television channel.[14] The program concluded on June 20, 2021.[15]
In December 2020, during Disney's investors presentation event, it was announced that the Kardashian–Jenner sisters: Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner – and their mother, Kris Jenner had signed a multi-year exclusive deal to create global content for Hulu.[16] In October 2021, it was announced that an untitled Kardashian–Jenner Hulu series would be produced by the British production company, Fulwell 73.[17] On January 1, 2022, the series title, The Kardashians, was announced by Hulu.[18] According to Khloé, "to be still on cable was just not so on-brand for [the family]", explaining why the family decided to move to the streaming platform.[19] The series is executive produced by Ben Winston, Danielle King, Emma Conway, and Elizabeth Jones for Fulwell 73, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner for Kardashian Jenner Productions, and Ryan Seacrest.[17] King also serves as the series showrunner.[17]
The first season premiered on April 14, 2022, and consisted of ten episodes.[20][21] After the season finale, which ended on a cliffhanger, media outlets started speculating a second season.[22]
Ahead of the series premiere, it was reported in March 2022 that Hulu had already renewed the series for a second season, as part of a multi-season order, with a total of forty episodes;[7] the series was called a "premium" version of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.[19] During May—July 2022, the Kardashian sisters posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the series on their social media accounts, hinting at a second season.[23] In June, it was confirmed that filming for the second season was underway.[24] On an episode of Deadline's Crew Call podcast, executive producer Danielle King confirmed that a second season was in production, stating that Kourtney and Travis Barker's wedding was filmed.[25] However, Kourtney later clarified that the season covers "everything leading up till [their wedding]".[26] In July, Hulu announced that the second season would premiere in September 2022.[8][27] It consisted of ten episodes.[28]
Days ahead of the second season's premiere in September 2022, Kourtney revealed in an interview with E! News that a third season was in production.[26] The third season was announced in March 2023; it premiered on May 25, 2023.[29]
During Disney's upfront presentation in May 2023, it was announced that Hulu extended the show's forty-episode order, with an additional twenty episodes—renewing it up to a sixth season.[11] In June, executive producers Danielle King and Ben Winston revealed that production for the fourth season was underway.[30] The fourth season was announced on July 27, 2023—the same day the third season's finale was released.[31][32]
Release
The Kardashians premiered on April 14, 2022, on Hulu in the United States, and is released weekly on Thursdays. It premiered simultaneously internationally on Disney+ under the dedicated streaming hub Star, as an original series, Disney+ Hotstar, and on Star+ in Latin America.[33][34] The first season consisted of ten episodes, with the season finale being released on June 16, 2022.[35]
The second season premiered on September 22, 2022, following the same release schedule as the first season.[36][37] The season premiere picked up where the first season-finale ended.
The fourth season premiered on September 28, 2023.[39]
Reception
Audience viewership
According to Hulu, The Kardashians premiere was the most-watched series premiere for the streaming service in its first three days in the United States, and was the most-watched Star Originals series on Disney+ and Star+ across global markets.[40][41] According to Whip Media's TV Time, The Kardashians was the tenth most streamed original series across all platforms in the United States during the week ending November 6, 2022,[42] and the ninth during the week ending November 13, 2022.[43] It was the eighth during the week of May 28, 2023,[44] the ninth during the week of June 4, 2023,[45] the seventh during the week of June 11, 2023,[46] the tenth during the week of June 16, 2023,[47] and the tenth during the week of November 12, 2023.[48]
Critical response
According to the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series' first season has a 31% approval rating based on 16 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 5.80/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "While hardcore fans might enjoy catching up with The Kardashians, the lifestyles of this rich and famous family have lost their novelty."[49]Metacritic assigned the series a weighted average score of 49 out of 100 based on 9 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[50]
Accolades
Awards and nominations received by The Kardashians
