Over the years, Werner Herzog has proven to be one of the greatest philosophers of our time. The filmmaker behind movies like Fitzcarraldo and documentaries like Grizzly Man has waxed poetic about a number of things, including the intense stupidity of chickens, Pokémon Go, and the miracle of literally getting shot during an on-camera interview and living to finish said interview. Now, Herzog is musing on a surprising new topic: the Kardashians.
In an interview with Variety, the director shared a glimpse at his TV-viewing habits, sharing that he is “starting to discover” the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, all about the alliterative Calabasas family. “I’m curious; that’s my guiding principal [sic],” he said.
“You have to know what a good amount of the population is watching,” he said. “Do not underestimate the Kardashians. As vulgar as they may be, it doesn’t matter that much, but you have to find some sort of orientation. As I always say, the poet must not close his eyes, must not avert them.”
And that last line, friends, is a perfect thing to say to yourself whenever you’re settling into your favorite guilty pleasures. (Even though “guilty pleasure” is a scammer’s term, and you shouldn’t be ashamed!) “The poet must not close his eyes,” you mutter, tucking into your 15th straight episode of Vanderpump Rules. “Must not avert them,” you whisper as Lala Kent and James Kennedy scream at each other about pasta. Come to think of it, Herzog would probably love the chaotic, Machiavellian spirit of Vanderpump, TV’s darkest show. Someone get him to watch it next.
Per the Kardashians, though, it’s a shame Herzog didn’t elaborate on his specific thoughts about the family. Which sister is his favorite, for example? Does he like low-key Kourtney? Lip-kit slinger Kylie? Standard favorite Kim? Or perhaps he enjoys the Scorpio energy that both Kendall and Kris exude. There are infinite possibilities here.
Herzog, who stars in Disney’s original Star Wars series The Mandalorian, also revealed that he still hasn’t watched any of the Star Wars movies, nor has he watched any movies made by Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau. “I do not know what other films he has made,” he said bluntly. The filmmaker revealed that, in general, he barely watches movies (“I see two, three, maybe four films per year”), which is why his TV-watching habits are much stronger. Hence, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. And also, this: “I was raised with Latin and Ancient Greek and poetry from Greek antiquity, but sometimes, just to see the world I live in, I watch WrestleMania.” Never change, Herzog. Never change.