'KUWTK' Should Take The 'InTouch' Story Seriously

Pretty much everyone has been talking about that bonkers InTouch cover featuring a horribly photoshopped picture of Bruce Jenner as a woman, except Bruce Jenner himself. Well, reportedly, he's almost ready to say something about it. Bruce Jenner will supposedly address his "changing appearance" and the InTouch cover story on Season 10 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Like every other tabloid controversy concerning this family, this issue is said to be getting the Kardashian plot line treatment.

A source told Us Magazine that Jenner was "very upset" by the Jan. 26 InTouch article titled "Bruce Jenner: My Life as a Woman." Just in case you've repressed the memory of that seriously offensive piece of yellow journalism, the cover showed Jenner's face pasted on the shoulders of Stephanie Beacham from Dynasty. It is, categorically, a very upsetting and crazily transphobic image.

Many months of chatter over Jenner allegedly making moves to present as a woman culminated in this story, and the family is reportedly taking the matter seriously. Those close to him have reportedly been encouraging him to make a statement, so he will supposedly address his feelings on the matter on the upcoming season of KUWTK. "Bruce and Kris address his changing appearance in a scene they shot together,” the source explains. “It will be a plotline."

Issues of gender identity are uncharted territory for this reality show, and I'm really hoping that they handle the issue sensitively. On one hand, using the show as a platform to speak about the obvious transphobia in the InTouch story could be a great thing. Perhaps, he will make all the right points (à la Russell Brand in this spot-on rant about the article) about why the tabloids' treatment of him has been horrifically problematic, and make a powerful statement about LGBTQ rights. That's the best case scenario.

But something to keep in mind: this show isn't typically known for its sensitivity or nuance. The editing, narrative, and tone of the show seem to be just as sensationalized as the tabloid media. Just watch the Season 10 promo, if you need any proof of that. So while we can't say for sure how this issue will be handled, I instinctually don't trust this show with the handling of gender identity issues. Furthermore, if the show is exploiting this controversy as a play for ratings, that's just downright offensive to everybody.

Iunno, guys. Hate to fall into the ratings trap (if this is what's going on), but I guess we're just gonna have to watch what happens.

Image: Getty Images