You probably remember the Diane Sawyer interview. It was 2015, and 17 million people tuned in to watch an Olympic icon tell the world, "For all intents and purposes, I am a woman." It was a massive cultural earthquake. Naturally, the E! Network—having already milked the Kardashian cow for nearly a decade—wanted to capitalize on it immediately.
Enter the Caitlyn Jenner TV show, officially titled I Am Cait.
It was supposed to be the "prestige" version of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. No staged food fights, no silly pranks, just serious conversations about gender identity and human rights. But by the time it was canceled after just two seasons, the ratings had cratered. Why did a show with so much initial momentum fall so flat? Honestly, the answer is a messy mix of political friction, "Kardashian fatigue," and a fundamental disconnect with the very community it tried to represent.
The Massive Rise and Sudden Fall of I Am Cait
When I Am Cait premiered in July 2015, it was a juggernaut. It pulled in about 2.7 million viewers. People were genuinely curious. For many, this was their first real look into the life of a transgender person, even if that person lived in a Malibu mansion with a dedicated glam squad.
But here’s the thing: by the season two premiere, that audience had shrunk to around 745,000. That’s a 70% drop. You don't need to be a network executive to know those numbers are a disaster. E! officially pulled the plug in August 2016. Caitlyn tweeted something about it being "time for the next adventure," but the writing had been on the wall for months.
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The show struggled because it felt like it was stuck between two worlds. On one hand, you had the "Kardashian style" of reality TV—glossy, high-production, and slightly superficial. On the other, you had a rotating cast of trans activists like Jennifer Finney Boylan and Chandi Moore trying to educate Caitlyn on systemic issues like poverty and violence.
It was awkward. You’d have a scene where Caitlyn is learning about the 40% suicide attempt rate in the trans community, and the next minute, she’s worried about her outfit for a gala.
Why the "Caitlyn Jenner TV Show" Never Felt Like KUWTK
Most fans expected the high-octane drama of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. They wanted to see the family's reaction. While we did get some of that—the "About Bruce" specials on the main show were actually much higher rated—I Am Cait intentionally distanced itself from the sisters.
Kim, Khloé, and Kourtney made guest appearances, sure. But the vibe was different. It wasn't fun. It was "educational." And while education is great, the typical E! viewer in 2015 was looking for escapism.
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The Political Elephant in the Room
One of the most fascinatng (and frustrating) parts of the show was Caitlyn’s politics. She is a staunch Republican. This created a weird friction with her "squad" of trans friends. There is a specific scene in season two where the group is on a bus, and they start arguing about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
The activists were trying to explain that the GOP’s platform was often at odds with trans rights. Caitlyn wasn't having it. She famously said it was "easier to come out as trans than to come out as Republican." That didn't sit well with the core audience. The LGBTQ+ community felt she was out of touch, and the conservative audience wasn't exactly rushing to watch a show about a trans woman on E!. She basically alienated both sides.
What Happened After the Show Was Canceled?
If you think Caitlyn Jenner disappeared from TV after 2016, you haven't been paying attention. She’s become a professional reality TV "mercenary."
- I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (UK): In 2019, she went to the Australian jungle. She was reportedly paid a record-breaking £500,000. People actually liked her on this! She was rugged, told stories about the Olympics, and didn't have the "diva" energy people expected.
- The Masked Singer: She showed up as the "Phoenix" in 2021. It was weird. She sang "TiK ToK" by Kesha. It was a meme for about 48 hours.
- Big Brother VIP (Australia): Another international stint. It seems like Caitlyn is more popular on TV outside of the US these days.
- The Kardashians (Hulu): For a long time, Caitlyn was totally MIA from the new Hulu series. There was clearly some lingering tension with Kris. However, in late 2025, she finally made a surprise appearance in Season 7. It was a farewell dinner for their old house. The atmosphere was described by viewers as "awkward but necessary."
The Pivot to Fox News and Political Commentary
By 2022, Caitlyn officially pivoted away from "reality star" and toward "political contributor." Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott signed her as an on-air contributor. Since then, she’s been a regular on Hannity and Fox News @ Night.
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She talks about everything from California’s "scam" leadership (her words) to her meeting with Donald Trump and Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago in late 2024. Most recently, in early 2026, she's been making headlines for her advocacy work in Israel, calling her visit to the October 7 sites "life-changing."
Is There a New Show in the Works?
There isn't a "Season 3" of I Am Cait coming. That ship has sailed. But Jenner has found a new niche in the podcasting world. In 2024, she teamed up with Lamar Odom (Khloé’s ex-husband) for a podcast called Keeping Up With Sports.
It’s actually a pretty smart move. They both have Olympic-level or professional athletic backgrounds and a shared history of being "Kardashian adjacent." It focuses on the mental side of sports and has featured guests like Sugar Ray Leonard. It’s the most "Bruce" she’s been in years, leaning back into that 1976 Gold Medalist identity.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Critics
If you’re looking to catch up on the Caitlyn Jenner media saga, here is the best way to do it without wasting time:
- Watch the "About Bruce" KUWTK Specials: If you want the real emotional weight of the transition on the family, these two episodes are better than the entire I Am Cait series.
- Skip I Am Cait Season 2: Season 1 is an interesting time capsule of 2015 gender politics. Season 2 is mostly just arguing on a bus.
- Check out House of Kardashian: This 2023 Sky documentary (available on various platforms depending on your region) features Caitlyn giving a much more candid, unfiltered look at the family's rise to power. It’s less "reality TV" and more "investigative."
- Follow the Podcast: If you actually care about her sports legacy, Keeping Up With Sports is surprisingly decent and lacks the scripted drama of her E! days.
The reality is that the Caitlyn Jenner TV show era proved one thing: being the most famous person in a community doesn't make you the best spokesperson for it. She’s a complicated figure who found that the "Kardashian glow" doesn't last forever if you aren't willing to play by the family's rules of engagement.
Next Steps for Deep Divers
If you want to understand the full timeline, look into the 2023 documentary House of Kardashian. It provides the necessary context for why Caitlyn was excluded from the Hulu show for so long and details the financial split that changed her relationship with Kris Jenner forever.