For those of you who don't know, "Keeping Up With the Van Burens" is a spin-off of the stop-motion Youtube series starring Barbie dolls, by The Most Popular Girls in School. This show centers on the Van Buren family featured in the original show, a "dynasty of high school socialites." Shay Van Buren is the star and the unlucky one of the family, as she was the only girl in her family to not win prom queen.
Her older sister Cameron is known as the most popular girl in the history of their school district. She attends Wichita State University, is in multiple sororities, and dates older man after older man. Her little sister Mikayla is a foul-mouthed third grader who is wise for her age, the most popular girl at her elementary school, and is the only sane person in their family other than Shay. Their mother was popular in high school but has since peaked, drinking alcohol several times a day, and was convinced that she was pregnant for two years when really she'd put on weight from the amount of alcohol consumed per day.
The first episode picks up where the original series left off. Shay reveals that since her mother loves surprise birthdays so much, each girl has to have a surprise birthday party each year, which, as she rightfully points out, ruins the surprise. The system of every girl throwing a party for the one older than her has proved to be unfortunate, as Mikayla threw Shay a Moana-themed party that she did not enjoy, and Shay is in charge of Cameron's party this year.
Shay hits Cameron with her car in order for her to go to the hospital so Shay could really throw her off and have time to plan.
In a really funny gag, Mikayla was sent to get balloons, and since she is a small child, the balloons carry her into the sky for the majority of the episode.
Shay calls up Cameron's high school friends, but none of them want to come since Cameron has slept with their boyfriends or their dads. Eventually, the only party guests are three of Cameron's sorority sisters, and Cameron's professor, who is also her boyfriend. Then from the original series makes a cameo as a stripper who starts doing his thing before the party even starts.
When Shay picks up Cameron from the hospital and opens the door to her house, she finds that Than has gone too far stripping in front of the sorority sisters, and their mom has taken a shower with Cameron's professor/boyfriend. Just as they think it can't get any worse, Mikayla crashes in through the roof with the balloons.
Judging by the pilot, the show seems promising. It's a delightful spoof on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" while keeping the tone of its predecessor. Those who were entertained by the characters on The Most Popular Girls in School will enjoy this show.
