The Kardashians. Whether you re into them or not, one thing is true: You can t avoid them. When they re not releasing new episodes of their long-running reality TV show, they re making headlines about Halloween costume reveals or ex-husbands who go on anti-Semitic rants. Because somehow, over the past decade, the Kardashian family went from Hollywood D-listers to American institution. Host Brittany Luse unpacks that journey with MJ Corey, known by her social handle Kardashian Kolloquium. Corey, who also runs a newsletter where she applies media theory to the Kardashians antics, breaks down their rise to the heights of American society and power – and how they got there using beauty, traditional milestones and a media playbook that might look similar to another first family.You can follow us on Twitter @npritsbeenamin and email us at ibam@npr.org.
Two lit at the night show: It is unclear who will lead the charge in the coming Astroworld litigation. Either way, this won't be Travis's first Rodeo. [Billboard] The Pot calling the Kettle violent: O.J. chimes in on Smith's slip of the slap at the Oscars. I'd make an assault and battery joke, but I should probably keep those out of my f. well, you know. [Newsweek] Ain't too proud to beg: Trump is asking Putin for dirt on democrats again. [CNN] Maryland passes an anti-Texas measure that makes it easier to access abortions. [Wa Po] Colorado prepares to provide abortions if more states take the SB8 route. [NPR]