Keeping Up With the Kardashians: Tears are shed as the family announces their show is ending

Kim Kardashian wept uncontrollably as she and her family announced the end of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on Thursday’s episode.

On ‘The End of an Era,’ the 40-year-old reality star could barely make it through her speech to the crew, whom she’d earlier called ‘extended family.’

‘I just want you guys to know how much we really appreciate you guys, each and every one of you, for spending time away from your families to be with our crazy family,’ she said, in tears.

Tears: Kim Kardashian wept uncontrollably as she and her family announced the end of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on Thursday’s episode

End of an era: On ‘The End of an Era,’ the 40-year-old reality star could barely make it through her speech to the crew, whom she’d earlier called ‘extended family'

End of an era: On ‘The End of an Era,’ the 40-year-old reality star could barely make it through her speech to the crew, whom she’d earlier called ‘extended family’

Tears: 'I just want you guys to know how much we really appreciate you guys, each and every one of you, for spending time away from your families to be with our crazy family,' she said, in tears

Tears: ‘I just want you guys to know how much we really appreciate you guys, each and every one of you, for spending time away from your families to be with our crazy family,’ she said, in tears

Kim had been the first one to okay the decision for KUWTK to end after 20 seasons when their contract came up with Bravo, and she’d seemed ready.

All of that fell away when the decision became real, especially after she saw KUWTK executive producer Farnaz Farjam-Chazan’s reaction to the news.

She called it the ‘hardest conversation that we’ve ever had to have with anybody, honestly.’

First one: Kim had been the first one to okay the decision for KUWTK to end after 20 seasons when their contract came up with Bravo, and she'd seemed ready

First one: Kim had been the first one to okay the decision for KUWTK to end after 20 seasons when their contract came up with Bravo, and she’d seemed ready

Farnaz reacts: All of that fell away when the decision became real, especially after she saw KUWTK executive producer Farnaz Farjam-Chazan's reaction to the news

Farnaz reacts: All of that fell away when the decision became real, especially after she saw KUWTK executive producer Farnaz Farjam-Chazan’s reaction to the news

Hardest conversation: She called it the 'hardest conversation that we've ever had to have with anybody, honestly'

Hardest conversation: She called it the ‘hardest conversation that we’ve ever had to have with anybody, honestly’

‘From day one, I walked in and I was like, ‘This family is so fun,’ Farnaz recalled, her face red with emotion. ‘I’m so grateful and I’m so happy I got this much time with you guys.’

Kim then called her friend Jonathan Cheban, 47, and told him they were ending the show.

‘Why?’ he asked. ‘Oh that’s terrible news. It’s like a pop-culture sadness.’

Day one: 'From day one, I walked in and I was like, 'This family is so fun,' Farnaz recalled, her face red with emotion. 'I'm so grateful and I'm so happy I got this much time with you guys'

Day one: ‘From day one, I walked in and I was like, ‘This family is so fun,’ Farnaz recalled, her face red with emotion. ‘I’m so grateful and I’m so happy I got this much time with you guys’

Day one: 'From day one, I walked in and I was like, 'This family is so fun,' Farnaz recalled, her face red with emotion. 'I'm so grateful and I'm so happy I got this much time with you guys.

Day one: ‘From day one, I walked in and I was like, ‘This family is so fun,’ Farnaz recalled, her face red with emotion. ‘I’m so grateful and I’m so happy I got this much time with you guys. 

Cheban: Kim then called her friend Jonathan Cheban, 47, and told him they were ending the show

Cheban: Kim then called her friend Jonathan Cheban, 47, and told him they were ending the show

Her next call was to pal Simon Huck, 37, who proclaimed it ‘the end of an era.’

‘We knew this day was gonna come,’ Kim admitted.

‘I just kept thinking it would go on forever and we’d see North [West, Kim’s seven-year-old daughter] on it for her 16th birthday.’

End of an era: Her next call was to pal Simon Huck, 37, who proclaimed it 'the end of an era'

End of an era: Her next call was to pal Simon Huck, 37, who proclaimed it ‘the end of an era’

We knew: 'We knew this day was gonna come,' Kim admitted

We knew: ‘We knew this day was gonna come,’ Kim admitted

Forever: 'I just kept thinking it would go on forever and we'd see North [West, Kim's seven-year-old daughter] on it for her 16th birthday'

Forever: ‘I just kept thinking it would go on forever and we’d see North [West, Kim’s seven-year-old daughter] on it for her 16th birthday’

Asked about Kanye’s reaction, Kim said, ‘He’s like, ‘Whatever makes you happy,’ you know?’

Simon laughed as he remembered the day Kim had told him about the show, and he’d tried to talk her out of it, calling it ‘sketchy.’

He wondered how his pal was doing, and she said, ‘I was fine, and then yesterday when we told Farnaz, she started hysterically crying and then I started hysterically crying and I haven’t stopped.’

Sketchy: Simon laughed as he remembered the day Kim had told him about the show, and he'd tried to talk her out of it, calling it 'sketchy'

Sketchy: Simon laughed as he remembered the day Kim had told him about the show, and he’d tried to talk her out of it, calling it ‘sketchy’

Crying: He wondered how his pal was doing, and she said, 'I was fine, and then yesterday when we told Farnaz, she started hysterically crying and then I started hysterically crying and I haven't stopped'

Crying: He wondered how his pal was doing, and she said, ‘I was fine, and then yesterday when we told Farnaz, she started hysterically crying and then I started hysterically crying and I haven’t stopped’

The family had been struggling with what to do about their future on KUWTK for a while.

They’d grown close to the crew, and on the episode threw a baby shower for executive producer Amanda Weinstein and lead camera operator Ryan McLaughlin.

‘We love being on camera; we love sharing our lives,’ Kim said privately. ‘We love that whole aspect of it. Just so many factors have come into our lives since we’re now so busy.’

Baby shower: They'd grown close to the crew, and on the episode threw a baby shower for executive producer Amanda Weinstein and lead camera operator Ryan McLaughlin

Baby shower: They’d grown close to the crew, and on the episode threw a baby shower for executive producer Amanda Weinstein and lead camera operator Ryan McLaughlin

Busy: 'We love being on camera; we love sharing our lives,' Kim said privately. 'We love that whole aspect of it. Just so many factors have come into our lives since we're now so busy'

Busy: ‘We love being on camera; we love sharing our lives,’ Kim said privately. ‘We love that whole aspect of it. Just so many factors have come into our lives since we’re now so busy’

‘We have to just think about what we want out of life, and what we want together and what we’ve built… and do we walk away from that?’

Kris Jenner, 65, was also having a hard time, as everything in her life was changing.

In addition to facing the show’s end, she was moving house and moving her mother MJ Shannon, 86, out of her longtime home to be closer to them.

Hard time: Kris Jenner, 65, was also having a hard time, as everything in her life was changing

Hard time: Kris Jenner, 65, was also having a hard time, as everything in her life was changing

Khloé Kardashian, 36, called filming KUWTK a ‘fun’ and ‘incredible journey,’ while Kourtney Kardashian, 42, said shooting had both terrible and thrilling moments.

‘I think it’s been a love-hate relationship the whole time,’ she opined.

Kris held a secret meeting with her three eldest girls, all of them shooting it on iPhones for privacy from the crew.

Incredible: Khloé Kardashian, 36, called filming KUWTK a ‘fun’ and ‘incredible journey,’ while Kourtney Kardashian, 42, said shooting had both terrible and thrilling moments

Secret meeting: Kris held a secret meeting with her three eldest girls, all of them shooting it on iPhones for privacy from the crew

Secret meeting: Kris held a secret meeting with her three eldest girls, all of them shooting it on iPhones for privacy from the crew

‘Kim and I have been talking for a minute now about this situation with the network, and re-signing for another multi-year deal to do Keeping Up,’ she told her daughters.

Kris, Khloé and Kim felt it was a ‘heavy’ moment as so much in their lives had lately been shifting, but Kourtney said she was ‘newly decisive’ and knew what to do.

‘I definitely think it’s time,’ she said without hesitation. ‘I feel like it’s making sense.’

Heavy: Kris, Khloé and Kim felt it was a 'heavy' moment as so much in their lives had lately been shifting, but Kourtney said she was 'newly decisive' and knew what to do

Heavy: Kris, Khloé and Kim felt it was a ‘heavy’ moment as so much in their lives had lately been shifting, but Kourtney said she was ‘newly decisive’ and knew what to do

Network: 'Kim and I have been talking for a minute now about this situation with the network, and re-signing for another multi-year deal to do Keeping Up,' she told her daughters

Network: ‘Kim and I have been talking for a minute now about this situation with the network, and re-signing for another multi-year deal to do Keeping Up,’ she told her daughters

Kris said Kendall Jenner, 25, and Kylie Jenner, 23, ‘were on board to do whatever we want to do.’

‘We are never gonna open a new chapter if we don’t close this one,’ the momager conceded.

Kim agreed, adding in a confessional that she was ‘forever indebted’ to E! and their producers ‘for making us who we are, but it just seems like we need a break.’

New chapter: 'We are never gonna open a new chapter if we don't close this one,' the momager concededKim agreed, adding in a confessional that she was 'forever indebted' to E! and their producers 'for making us who we are, but it just seems like we need a break.'

New chapter: ‘We are never gonna open a new chapter if we don’t close this one,’ the momager concededKim agreed, adding in a confessional that she was ‘forever indebted’ to E! and their producers ‘for making us who we are, but it just seems like we need a break.’

Indebted: Kim agreed, adding in a confessional that she was 'forever indebted' to E! and their producers 'for making us who we are, but it just seems like we need a break'

Indebted: Kim agreed, adding in a confessional that she was ‘forever indebted’ to E! and their producers ‘for making us who we are, but it just seems like we need a break’

She marveled that people had watched her ‘crazy family’ for as long as they had.

Kris looked at her three girls and called out, ‘All in favor, say aye.’

‘Aye,’ said Kim, then Kourtney, then a much more reluctant Khloé.

In favor: Kris looked at her three girls and called out, 'All in favor, say aye'

In favor: Kris looked at her three girls and called out, ‘All in favor, say aye’

‘I hate this year so much,’ Khloé carped. ‘I don’t think there’s one good month in 2020.’

With the decision made, the family had to tell the crew the show was ending. 

Crew: With the decision made, the family had to tell the crew the show was ending

Crew: With the decision made, the family had to tell the crew the show was ending

Lawn: They gathered everyone on the lawn of their lavish Malibu rental property

Lawn: They gathered everyone on the lawn of their lavish Malibu rental property

‘There’s no easy way to say it except just to say it, because we love you guys all so much,’ Kris offered. ‘We just wanted to tell you all in person: We won’t be going through with filming the show anymore.’

She impressed upon the crew that it had been an ‘excruciating decision,’ calling their journey together ‘the most incredible thing that we’ve ever done.’

Khloé’s voice broke as thanked the crew for always supporting her, noting privately that they’d been with her when she moved to Dallas and once even spent Christmas with her.

No easy way: 'There's no easy way to say it except just to say it, because we love you guys all so much,' Kris offered. 'We just wanted to tell you all in person: We won't be going through with filming the show anymore'

No easy way: ‘There’s no easy way to say it except just to say it, because we love you guys all so much,’ Kris offered. ‘We just wanted to tell you all in person: We won’t be going through with filming the show anymore’

Excruciating: She impressed upon the crew that it had been an 'excruciating decision,' calling their journey together 'the most incredible thing that we've ever done'

Excruciating: She impressed upon the crew that it had been an ‘excruciating decision,’ calling their journey together ‘the most incredible thing that we’ve ever done’

‘From divorce, to transitions, to literally my vagina out when my baby was being born… the list goes on and on,’ she told the cameras. ‘I have such a security blanket in these people and to not have that anymore, it’s a big thing. It sounds silly, but they’re my people.’

Kim, Kris and Kourtney echoed her words, telling the crew how much they appreciated them.

They then posted the news on social media, to overwhelming fan reaction.

Appreciated: Kim, Kris and Kourtney echoed her words, telling the crew how much they appreciated them

Appreciated: Kim, Kris and Kourtney echoed her words, telling the crew how much they appreciated them

Security blanket: 'From divorce, to transitions, to literally my vagina out when my baby was being born… the list goes on and on,' she told the cameras. 'I have such a security blanket in these people and to not have that anymore, it's a big thing. It sounds silly, but they're my people'

Security blanket: ‘From divorce, to transitions, to literally my vagina out when my baby was being born… the list goes on and on,’ she told the cameras. ‘I have such a security blanket in these people and to not have that anymore, it’s a big thing. It sounds silly, but they’re my people’

Social media: They then posted the news on social media, to overwhelming fan reaction

Social media: They then posted the news on social media, to overwhelming fan reaction

Kourtney was saddened to hear many people thought she’d been the one behind killing the show, but she knew that it wasn’t her fault.

‘It’s gonna be interesting to see what life’s like again without having camera crews at all times,’ said her ex, Scott Disick, 37.

He did worry that the family would ‘float apart’ and not see each other so much post-show.

Saddened: Kourtney was saddened to hear many people thought she'd been the one behind killing the show, but she knew that it wasn't her fault

Saddened: Kourtney was saddened to hear many people thought she’d been the one behind killing the show, but she knew that it wasn’t her fault

Interesting: 'It's gonna be interesting to see what life's like again without having camera crews at all times,' said her ex, Scott Disick, 37

Interesting: ‘It’s gonna be interesting to see what life’s like again without having camera crews at all times,’ said her ex, Scott Disick, 37

Worry: He did worry that the family would 'float apart' and not see each other so much post-show

Worry: He did worry that the family would ‘float apart’ and not see each other so much post-show

Kris stopped by Kim’s house while she was remodeling a room, and recalled Kim’s three-year stay with her years before—all of which had been caught on tape.

The memories flooded back and Kris wondered if they’d been right to quit the show.

She was near tears in a radio interview with show executive producer Ryan Seacrest, 46—which made Khloé suggest she head to Palm Springs for a break.

Recalled: Kris stopped by Kim's house while she was remodeling a room, and recalled Kim's three-year stay with her years before—all of which had been caught on tape

Recalled: Kris stopped by Kim’s house while she was remodeling a room, and recalled Kim’s three-year stay with her years before—all of which had been caught on tape

Palm Springs: She was near tears in a radio interview with show executive producer Ryan Seacrest, 46—which made Khloé suggest she head to Palm Springs for a break

Palm Springs: She was near tears in a radio interview with show executive producer Ryan Seacrest, 46—which made Khloé suggest she head to Palm Springs for a break

There Kris met up with her lifelong ‘besties,’ Faye Resnick, 63, and Kyle Richards, 52.

Weeping, she said the crew had become family, and the change made her want to ‘explode.’

Kyle had been filming The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for 11 seasons, and understood what she meant.

Besties: There Kris met up with her lifelong 'besties,' Faye Resnick, 63, and Kyle Richards, 52

Besties: There Kris met up with her lifelong ‘besties,’ Faye Resnick, 63, and Kyle Richards, 52

Weeping: Weeping, she said the crew had become family, and the change made her want to 'explode'

Weeping: Weeping, she said the crew had become family, and the change made her want to ‘explode’

Consolingly, she reminded Kris: ‘You’ll be less busy and have more fun.’

Kris grasped her friends’ hands and yelled, ‘Girlfriends forever!’

They trundled off to sleep in bunk beds, watch Kyle do splits, and have pillow fights.

Forever: Kris grasped her friends' hands and yelled, 'Girlfriends forever!

Forever: Kris grasped her friends’ hands and yelled, ‘Girlfriends forever!

Bed: They trundled off to sleep in bunk beds, watch Kyle do splits, and have pillow fights

Bed: They trundled off to sleep in bunk beds, watch Kyle do splits, and have pillow fights

Back in Malibu, Khloé and Kim called Caitlyn Jenner, 71, to get her take on their decision.

‘It’s kind of sad,’ Caitlyn said, recalling the family’s first meeting with E!, and their short planned run. ‘Here we are 14 years later. You guys should be extremely proud of yourselves.’

‘I have to admit,’ the gubernatorial hopeful added, ‘some of the best conversations I had with my children is in the show. It kind of forced us to sit down and deal with issues. I think it brought our entire family much closer together.’

Take: Back in Malibu, Khloé and Kim called Caitlyn Jenner, 71, to get her take on their decision

Take: Back in Malibu, Khloé and Kim called Caitlyn Jenner, 71, to get her take on their decision

Sad: 'It's kind of sad,' Caitlyn said, recalling the family's first meeting with E!, and their short planned run. 'Here we are 14 years later. You guys should be extremely proud of yourselves'

Sad: ‘It’s kind of sad,’ Caitlyn said, recalling the family’s first meeting with E!, and their short planned run. ‘Here we are 14 years later. You guys should be extremely proud of yourselves’

Closer: 'I have to admit,' the gubernatorial hopeful added, 'some of the best conversations I had with my children is in the show. It kind of forced us to sit down and deal with issues. I think it brought our entire family much closer together'

Closer: ‘I have to admit,’ the gubernatorial hopeful added, ‘some of the best conversations I had with my children is in the show. It kind of forced us to sit down and deal with issues. I think it brought our entire family much closer together’

The girls nodded, and Caitlyn said, ‘I felt like I was a big part for many years while you were growing up… all good things must come to an end. I’m glad everybody is doing so well.’

The family met in Malibu for dinner, and Kim and Kris said they’d made the right decision.

The aspiring lawyer looked forward to more free time but would really miss the crew.

Right decision: The family met in Malibu for dinner, and Kim and Kris said they'd made the right decision

Right decision: The family met in Malibu for dinner, and Kim and Kris said they’d made the right decision

‘It’s definitely sad,’ her sister Kendall mused. ‘It’s most of my life… but it just feels right.’

Privately, Kendall acknowledged, ‘I try and live the most private life that I can live, so for me I think it feels healthy.’

Khloé then urged the group to ‘create some bad-ass memories for our last month of filming.’

‘Can I get a Kardashians woo-hoo?’ she asked, and everyone complied.

Keeping up with the Kardashians returns next week on E!

Sad: 'It's definitely sad,' her sister Kendall mused. 'It's most of my life… but it just feels right'

Sad: ‘It’s definitely sad,’ her sister Kendall mused. ‘It’s most of my life… but it just feels right’

Woo-hoo" 'Can I get a Kardashians woo-hoo?' she asked, and everyone complied

Woo-hoo” ‘Can I get a Kardashians woo-hoo?’ she asked, and everyone complied

Returns: Keeping up with the Kardashians returns next week on E!

Returns: Keeping up with the Kardashians returns next week on E!