10 Most Shocking & Iconic Keeping Up With The Kardashians Episodes Of All Time (Updated 2025)

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The legacy of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) is undeniable, having redefined the reality television genre and launched a global empire. With 20 seasons spanning from 2007 to 2021, the show captured the raw, often chaotic, and always dramatic lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family, offering a unique blend of high-stakes drama and hilarious, quotable moments that still dominate pop culture discussions as of December 2025.

For fans looking to revisit the show’s peak moments or newcomers wanting to understand the cultural phenomenon before diving into the Hulu spin-off, The Kardashians, certain episodes stand out as essential viewing. This list compiles the most iconic, highest-rated, and culturally significant episodes that cemented the family's status as reality TV royalty, showcasing everything from diamond earring meltdowns to genuine family feuds.

The Kardashian-Jenner Family: A Snapshot Biography

The core cast of Keeping Up with the Kardashians includes the matriarch, her three daughters from her first marriage, and her two daughters from her second marriage, alongside their significant others and children. They are the central entities that drove the show’s 14-year run and its continued success.

  • Kris Jenner (The Momager): Born Kristen Mary Houghton, she is the family matriarch and manager of her children's careers, famously coining the term "Momager." She was married to Robert Kardashian Sr. (1978–1991) and Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) (1991–2015).
  • Kourtney Kardashian Barker: The oldest sister, known for her deadpan delivery and focus on holistic wellness. Her tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with Scott Disick was a major storyline for years.
  • Kim Kardashian: The most famous sibling, whose career exploded due to the show and her subsequent business ventures (SKIMS, KKW Beauty). Her high-profile relationships and fashion evolution were constant focal points.
  • Khloé Kardashian: Known for her quick wit, outspoken nature, and role as the family mediator. Her relationships, including her marriage to Lamar Odom and her complex history with Tristan Thompson, provided major dramatic arcs.
  • Rob Kardashian: The only brother, who appeared less frequently in later seasons. His struggles with weight and mental health, as well as his relationship with Blac Chyna, were covered on the show and its spin-offs.
  • Kendall Jenner: A high-fashion model who often sought to keep her professional life separate from the reality TV drama.
  • Kylie Jenner: The youngest sister, who grew up on camera and later became a successful cosmetics mogul (Kylie Cosmetics).

The 10 Most Iconic and Dramatic KUWTK Episodes

These episodes are universally recognized by fans and critics alike as the most memorable, often featuring the famous quotes and dramatic confrontations that defined the series.

1. Diamond Earrings and Existential Crises: "Kim, There's People That Are Dying"

Season 6, Episode 12: "The Great Escape"

This is arguably the most famous and widely quoted moment in the history of the show. While on a family vacation in Bora Bora, Kim Kardashian has a meltdown after her $75,000 diamond earring is lost in the ocean. Kourtney Kardashian’s response—"Kim, there’s people that are dying"—instantly became an internet meme and a cultural touchstone, perfectly encapsulating the show’s blend of over-the-top luxury and grounded reality checks.

2. The Infamous Selfie: "Kim, Would You Stop Taking Pictures of Yourself?"

Season 3, Episode 1: "Free Khloé"

Khloé Kardashian is on her way to jail for violating probation following a DUI. In the car, Kim is seen taking a series of selfies to document the moment, prompting Kris Jenner’s exasperated and iconic line: "Kim, would you stop taking pictures of yourself? Your sister’s going to jail!" It was a defining moment that showcased Kim's early obsession with self-documentation, a trait that would later define her career.

3. The Viagra Accident: "Rob's Big Boner"

Season 4, Episode 3: "Pussycat Dolls"

A moment of pure, unexpected comedy. Kris Jenner accidentally spikes Rob Kardashian's coffee with a Viagra pill, thinking it was a pain reliever. The resulting chaos, involving a very awkward Rob and a hysterical Kris trying to cover up the mistake, is one of the show's most genuinely funny and bizarre storylines.

4. The Physical Fight: "We're Fighting for Our Lives"

Season 18, Episode 1: "Fights, Camera, Action!"

In a dramatic shift from verbal sparring to physical confrontation, this episode features an intense, full-blown fight between Kourtney and Kim. The argument over Kourtney's work ethic and commitment to the show escalated rapidly, resulting in a shocking physical altercation that sent shockwaves through the family and ultimately led to Kourtney stepping back from filming.

5. The Vegas Meltdown: "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas"

Season 4, Episode 9: "All for One and One for All"

This episode is a pivotal moment in the Scott Disick storyline. While celebrating Kim’s birthday in Las Vegas, Scott gets excessively drunk, stuffing a hundred-dollar bill into a waiter’s mouth and engaging in other disrespectful behavior. The incident forces the family to confront Scott's drinking problem, leading to a major clash with Khloé and a temporary break from Kourtney.

The Most Dramatic Storylines and Family Feuds

The show excelled at capturing genuine, high-stakes family drama. These episodes and storylines are essential for understanding the intense relationships and public scandals that played out on screen.

6. The Tristan Thompson Cheating Scandal: "Betrayal"

Season 16, Episode 12: "Tensions Rising" (Focus on the Jordyn Woods Incident)

While Khloé's relationship with Tristan Thompson was plagued by multiple infidelity scandals, the most explosive was the one involving Kylie Jenner's best friend, Jordyn Woods. The dramatic fallout, the family’s reaction, and the subsequent estrangement of Jordyn from the inner circle were major plot drivers, showcasing the intense loyalty and protective nature of the Kardashian-Jenner clan.

7. The Divorce Announcement: "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event"

Season 6, Episodes 13 & 14: "The Wedding" & Season 7, Episode 1: "Oprah’s Interview" (The Aftermath)

Kim’s highly publicized marriage to Kris Humphries lasted only 72 days. The two-part wedding special was a massive television event, but the subsequent episodes dealing with the quick divorce and the media backlash were even more compelling. The show captured Kim’s emotional struggle and the family's defense of her, highlighting the intense scrutiny they face. This storyline was a major turning point for Kim's public image.

8. The Momager’s Dance: "You're Doing Amazing, Sweetie"

Season 1, Episode 7: "The Kardashian Decides"

This early-season episode is famous for the moment Kris Jenner is seen snapping photos of Kim during a photoshoot, enthusiastically cheering her on with the now-legendary line, "You're doing amazing, sweetie." While not the most dramatic, it is a crucial entity, defining Kris's role as the ultimate "Momager" and the show's foundational energy.

9. The Bali Healing Trip: "Soul(mate) Searching"

Season 16, Episode 5: "Soul(mate) Searching"

In this episode, the family takes a trip to Bali, Indonesia, seeking spiritual healing and clarity amidst their ongoing personal dramas. The sessions with a medium, particularly the readings for Khloé and Kourtney, provided deep, emotional content that felt more genuine and reflective than their usual antics. It offered a rare, vulnerable look at the sisters’ inner turmoil.

10. The Finale: "Winners Take All"

Season 20, Episode 12: "Winners Take All"

As the final episode of the original series, "Winners Take All" is a must-watch. It wrapped up the show's 20-season run, showing the family burying a time capsule of their most iconic moments and discussing their future. It served as a heartfelt, emotional conclusion to a groundbreaking era of reality TV, paving the way for their transition to the new Hulu series, The Kardashians.

KUWTK's Enduring Topical Authority and Legacy

The success of Keeping Up with the Kardashians lies in its ability to constantly generate topical authority by turning personal milestones and crises into global headlines. The show’s production team mastered the art of leveraging high-stakes drama—from pregnancies and weddings to divorces and cheating scandals—into must-watch television. This formula allowed the family to become masters of the media cycle, ensuring that their brand and their show remained culturally relevant for over a decade. The show is rich with LSI keywords and entities that define modern celebrity culture: Momager Kris Jenner, Kourtney's ABCDEFG catchphrase, the Bora Bora diamond earring drama, Tristan Thompson's infidelity, and the ongoing comparison between KUWTK and the current The Kardashians on Hulu. These entities are the pillars of their enduring global influence.

Whether you are a casual viewer or a dedicated fan, revisiting these iconic episodes offers a perfect window into the show's history and the moments that transformed the Kardashian-Jenner family into one of the most powerful and discussed families in the world. The show’s impact on fashion, social media, and the entire reality TV genre is a testament to its compelling, often unbelievable, and always entertaining content.

best keeping up with the kardashian episodes
best keeping up with the kardashian episodes

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