Garry Marshall on Why Fonzie Jumped That Shark
4/12/2012
by Gregg Kilday



You inadvertently gave the industry the phrase "jump the shark", because of a fifth-season episode of "Happy Days" in which Fonzie literally waterskis over a shark.

Any regrets?


It's part of the vernacular now. To be honest, it wasn't our best show. But the man had jumped over garbage cans on his motorcycle. He had to jump something else.

What a crazy idea, but everybody said all right. But I think it's a good phrase. It's shorthand. People get it right away.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/garry-marshall-nab-happy-days-laverne-shirley-311154

Too bad 'Jump the Shark' isn't around anymore. It was always good for a laugh.

I can almost accept jumping over a shark but thought it got really stupid when Fonz rode a wild bull. Now that's just dumb. I know "The Fonz" is the best at everything but really? Stuff he has absolutely no clue about? Just plain dumb!

Season 6 Episode Westward Ho - I HATED everything about this episode. The script, costumes, dialogue, acting, ALL of it was garbage! It was loaded with silly stuntman stunts. Joannie conveniently put herself in a position to be on a runaway stage coach which requires Fonzie with Richie on the back of his bike jumping over a canyon (I swear that's a dummy on Fonzs back), then Richie doing some type of classic Western grabbing the reins trick to whoa the horses only to have The Fonz ride a wild bull at the end of the episode 3 parter seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUeve_eahx4 Absolutely terrible script. So obvious when and where stunt doubles were used, and obvious Fonz was NOT riding his motorcycle *shot from his thigh and waist up) & was being pulled on a sled. Notice Richie wears a huge hat and is pulled low over his face (insert stunt man here).

In my opinion, this episode was SO BAD this is when Happy Days REALLY JUMPED the shark!

Maybe it should be called "ride the bull" lol