The Keeping Up with the Kardashians reality show exhibits several postmodern characteristics according to the document. It depicts a hyperreality where the family's behaviors may be scripted differently than real life. It also acts as simulacra as each family member's personality is portrayed differently across TV, social media, and other outlets. Additionally, the show lacks a linear narrative and emphasizes style over substance as the family rose to fame without traditional talents.
1. KEEPING UP WITH THE
KARDASHIANS -
POSTMODERNISM
Sammah Shariff & Ecesu Ozevin
2. HYPERREALITY (Baudrillard)
Scripted behaviour, speech and events: Speech or events
happening may be scripted and planned beforehand,
therefore the line between the actors’ behaviour, personality
and actions may be blurred or altered. E.G. Kim Kardashian’s
personality may differ in real circumstances.
Celebrity life: Her life as a celeb is shown differently than what
it is in real life. They get to pick and choose what will be edited
in the episode. E.G. Kim Kardashian portrays her life differently
on Instagram than on the show.
3. Simulacra (Baudrillard)
The way the Kardashians are shown through TV, Twitter,
Instagram and the news are all different. E.G. Their personality.
On the show Kendall and Kylie are portrayed as problematic
and rebellious children, however on social media they are
seen as style icons, models and as adults.
Family members may be shown as unhappy or sad on the
show, whereas premieres and events show them as happy.
Kris Jenner’s personal life differs from her life on the show. E.G.
On the show she pretended she was married to Bruce,
whereas in real life she was already divorced.
4. Simulacra (Baudrillard)
The way the Kardashians are shown through TV, Twitter,
Instagram and the news are all different. E.G. Their personality.
On the show Kendall and Kylie are portrayed as problematic
and rebellious children, however on social media they are
seen as style icons, models and as adults.
Family members may be shown as unhappy or sad on the
show, whereas premieres and events show them as happy.
Kris Jenner’s personal life differs from her life on the show. E.G.
On the show she pretended she was married to Bruce,
whereas in real life she was already divorced.
5. Parody
Although Keeping up with the Kardashians is a docu soap and
filmed in a serious way, they are made fun of by the media
and audience. E.G. Kim’s crying face is a popular way of
making fun of her, therefore a part of the audience sees the
docu soap as a parody, rather than a serious film. They watch
it for entertainment rather than their interest for their personal
life.
6. Self reflexive
In Keeping up with the Kardashians there are one to one
interviews where the family members/involved individuals
express their feelings over an event that has happened. This
suggests that they are aware of that they are in a show.
The fact that the interviewed individuals wear different clothes
in the interviews than when the specific event has happened,
suggests that they specifically choose certain scenes so they
can comment on it. Also there is a time and place shift which is
a postmodern approach.
7. Non-linear narrative
Flashbacks are not used regularly, however to remind the
audience about what has happened in a previous episode
suggests that they have an audience who follows them on a
regular basis, making it a soap at the same time. The use of
flashbacks is a postmodernist approach since it is a time and
space shift. This implies that there may not be a chronological
order in terms of the storyline.
8. Style over substance
The Kardashian do not own a
real talent or profession,
however Kim Kardashian got
known for making a sex tape
with a known individual (Ray
J). This suggests that the
audience would rather
watch random people act
dramatic, rather than
following individuals with
actual talent. Their celebrity
life is more interesting for their
audeience.
