Disappointing news of the older progeny of Caitlyn Jenner, whose refusal to bend to her will and become reality TV stars mires them in the outmoded attitudes of last century.
It’s not that they aren’t supportive of her transition – they are, and resoundingly so. Indeed, they were keen to speak to Vanity Fair at length for the article in which she announced herself to the world.
But the four children, Burt, Cassandra, Brandon and Brody, who are all in their 30s, do not want to become players in her new reality show, I Am Cait, which will be made by the same E! network that does Keeping Up With the Kardashians. (Caitlyn’s Kardashian stepchildren and their younger half-sisters will naturally be on screen.) According to Caitlyn’s friend Buzz Bissinger, who penned the Vanity Fair profile and interview: “[D]espite numerous entreaties from their father as well as the head of E! programming, the Jenner children refuse to participate, forgoing financial gain and exposure in the process.”
What is wrong with them? This is a chance to be on reality TV. Sorry, but it’s just weird. And Lost in Showbiz isn’t the only one who thinks so.
“At first their decision did not seem to register with Caitlyn. She kept hoping they could be persuaded, because she knows from eight years on Keeping Up With the Kardashians the necessity of a family dynamic for ratings success.”
Right. Has any research yet been done on the ratings dynamic as far as family success is concerned? If not, then go on. “When she realised the decision was final, she became increasingly frustrated and on one occasion hurled profanities. She told me she felt ‘terribly disappointed and terribly hurt’.”
Well, quite. The sheer 21st-century selfishness of refusing to get with the programme – which is to say the reality TV programme – is frankly unfathomable. And a reminder that while historic and positive progress is being made all the time, people are still having to live their lives with the kids society gave them.
