The idiom “jumping the shark” was coined in 1985 by Jon Hein in response to a 1977 episode from the fifth season of the American sitcom Happy Days, in which Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumps over a shark while on water-skis.
Where did the phrase jump the shark originate?
The phrase refers to a scene in the long-running ’70s sitcom Happy Days, in which its comically cool main character, Arthur Fonzarelli, literally jumps over a caged shark on water skis. That stunt was so unlike the Fonz, and outside the Happy Days world, that it came to be seen as a cheap stunt.
Who came up with jumping the shark?
Jon Hein
The term “jumping the shark,” as coined by Jon Hein for his Website devoted to the devolution of television shows, signals a pivot point in which a writer’ room starts resorting to desperate measures to maintain viewers’ interest.
What does the term jumped the shark mean?
decrease in quality
(usually of television shows) to reach a point where something stops becoming more popular or starts to decrease in quality: The show jumped the shark a few years ago.
What does jumping the shark mean in Urban Dictionary?
According to the Urban Dictionary, something is said to have “jumped the shark” when it has reached its peak and begun a downhill slide to mediocrity or oblivion. It’s said to have been coined by Jon Hein, who has a web site, jumptheshark.com, and now a book detailing examples, especially as applied to TV shows.
When did modern family jump the shark?
WHEN DID IT JUMP THE SHARK Chris Martin’s appearance in Season 9 is often pointed to as the moment the show jumped the shark.
Did Seinfeld jump the shark?
It happened at the beginning of the fourth season on the episode, The Trip. Jerry and George go to LA to find Kramer, who leaves to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, but gets mistaken for a serial killer called “The Smog Strangler”. It jumps the shark multiple times with its terrible plot and numerous guest stars.
Why do shows jump the shark?
From Fonzie’s singular spectacle, a lasting cultural idiom was thus born. Then and now, a TV series is seen as having “jumped the shark” when it reaches a pointed new low in terms of quality or gimmickry. In many cases, this occurs with either the introduction of a new character or the loss of an old one.
When did Downton Abbey jump the shark?
But I’ve noticed that many viewers tend to veer towards two events – Matthew’s death in the 2012 Christmas special and Anna’s rape in series 4 as the turning point. Viewers have their reasons as to why either Matthew’s death or Anna’s rape can be seen as that pivotal moment when Downton has finally jumped the shark.
When did the Waltons jump the shark?
Thomas returned for two episodes at the end of season six (and the three made-for television movies on CBS in the 1990s). But in season eight, Robert Wightman was added to the cast as John Boy, which most critics (myself included) refer to as a “jump the shark” moment on The Waltons.
When did that 70s show jump the shark?
That 70s Show arguably had multiple “jump the shark” moments throughout its run. One such moment was when the writers introduced Brooke, who fell pregnant after a one-night stand with Ashton Kutcher’s Michael Kelso. The setup was merely a ploy to enable Kutcher to leave the show at the end of the season.
When did Fonzie jump the shark?
Forty years later he’s flying still. That was Fonzie’s leap into legend and language when he jumped the shark on “Happy Days” in September 1977. A ’70s sitcom about life in the ’50s, the show’s title was at once literal and ironic, an incantation of better times.
When did Dexter jump the shark?
Rolling Stone reported that while Dexter started to take a downturn in season 2, the actual jumping-the-shark moment came at the end of season 4 when Dexter murders John Lithgow’s character, the Trinity Killer.
What is jumped the gun?
idiom. to do something too soon, especially without thinking carefully about it: They’ve only just met – isn’t it jumping the gun to be talking about marriage already?
What happened to jump the shark website?
Jump the Shark origins
Hein sold his company, Jump The Shark, Inc., to Gemstar (owners of TV Guide) on June 20, 2006 for “over $1 million”. Some Stern staff have speculated that the site sold closer to $5–$10 million, however. The TV Guide website has since redirected the original jumptheshark.com website.
Did Little House on the Prairie jump the shark?
The episode that jumped the shark
Life on the prairie was hard enough; one wouldn’t think that it would even be necessary to jump the shark for a show so filled with near-death experiences, heartbreak, and pain. And yet, Gilbert said, Little House on the Prairie not only tried to jump the shark.
When did modern family go down hill?
“See You Next Fall” is the 23rd episode of the American comedy television series, Modern Family’s second season and the 47th episode overall. The episode originally aired on May 18, 2011, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
When did Larry David leave Seinfeld?
He left the series in 1996 to write and direct the film Sour Grapes (1998). After returning to Seinfeld to cowrite the series finale in 1998, David was offered a comedy special on the cable channel HBO.
Where was jump the shark filmed?
It’s a deeply dopey moment, filmed right here in Paradise Cove, and worthy of its place in the modern lexicon as the turning point where a TV show goes irrevocably, irretrievably wrong.
Did friends jump the shark?
In season eight, Joey fesses up to Ross that he’s in love with Rachel. In The One With Ross’s Tan in season 10, they totally jump the shark by actually trying to boink, but abort everything after Joey can’t get Rachel’s bra off.
Why did Hugh Bonneville leave Downton Abbey in season 4?
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter this week, Bonneville also said he felt that “Downton” had “run its course.” “I suspect, on a practical level, it’s run its course now. I think that was a good time to quit,” the actor said.