Death. Taxes. A new season of transparently scripted new episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Few things have been more reliable over the past decade-plus.
But while people will continue to pass away... and the government will continue to collect our money on an annual basis... Kim Kardashian and company will NOT continue on with their series forever.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the famous family said in a joint statement on Tuesday, adding;
"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and several spin-off shows, we’ve decided as a family to end this very special journey.
"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.
"We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way."
Considering all the money the Kardashians take home from this show, considering the very low cost of producing the program and considering how there's clearly still interest in the family, viewers are asking a simple question right now:
WHY?
Why will the show come to an end after Season 20 next year?
For starters, ratings have dropped considerably. Approximately 4.8 million people tuned in for the Season 4 finale, while the latest season averaged just 900,000.
Back in 2017, TMZ reported that the family as a whole signed a new five-year contract for a total of $150 million.
Yes, Kim, Kylie and all the sisters still have enormous social media followings.
But executives may very well think they're not worth such a gigantic salary if the family can't draw ratings and therefore the network can't sell advertising on the series.
However, there could be personal issues at play here as well.
Kanye West seemingly suffered another mental breakdown this summer after he announced a Presidential run -- and then rambled about wanting to abort daughter North and claimed Harriet Tubman was a villain.
Concerns over Kanye's well-being were also raised following a Forbes interview where he slammed Planned Parenthood for being run by "white supremacists to do the Devil's work."
Things got so bad that Kim even released her first-ever statement about her husband's bipolar order in July.
It seems reasonable that Kim may have not wanted to keep filming amid such a relationship and immediate family crisis, you know?
Then, there was the infamous brawl between Kim and Kourtney on the Seaosn 18 premiere.
In case you forgot, Kourtney took extreme exception to her sisters questioning her work ethic several months ago, prompting Kim to slap her and scream "I'll f--k you up!"
Kourtney, who has said on many occasions that she's sick of shooting the show, agreed with a fan who branded the situation "cringe-worthy."
"Don't get me wrong, Kim can be a b***h but Kourtney always plays victim and cries," one person Tweeted in response to this fight. "She needs to get off the show and focus on her happiness."
Might Kourtney echo this sentiment and could she have refused to go on past 2021?
In recent seasons, moreover, Kourtney has increasingly made it evident that her focus must remain sqaurely on her three children: Mason, 10, Penelope, 7, and Reign, 5.
She has scaled back her screen time over the past few years, with an insider telling The Daily Mail:
"She is happy to be filming less for both herself and the kids.
"As Kourtney and Scott’s kids get older, especially Kourtney feels that public exposure is not really beneficial for the kids."
Whatever the reason may be, this iconic series is coming to an end.
"E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family,” a network statement read last night.
“Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives.
"While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras."
