What does the term "jump the shark" mean to you? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PrettyinPink55 · 08-19-2005, 11:09 PM

I just wanted to know what the term means to everyone, and how they determine whether a show has jumped the shark.

To me, when a show jumps the shark, it means that it has resorted to some desperate means for ratings...it may be a dumb-attention-getting storyline or a special guest star to boost ratings, etc.
I think it also means when a show loses it's touch, and what once made the show special and unique or original fades and the show goes stale and becomes like every other show out there.

How about you?

theshark8777 · 08-19-2005, 11:11 PM

Jump the shark is when a show hits its climax, and goes downhill. This usually is accompanied by desperate means for ratings as you said. Or say a new child.

theshark8777 · 08-19-2005, 11:13 PM

Its also funny you should mention this today. I just watched Arrested Development and Henry Winkler literally "Jumped the Shark" a la Happy Days, where the phrase got its name from.

Mr. Television · 08-19-2005, 11:14 PM

For me its the instant that a once loved show is no longer enjoyable.

PrettyinPink55 · 08-19-2005, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

Its also funny you should mention this today. I just watched Arrested Development and Henry Winkler literally "Jumped the Shark" a la Happy Days, where the phrase got its name from.

I didn't know the term got it's name from Happy Days!

theshark8777 · 08-19-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

I didn't know the term got it's name from Happy Days!

Well here is the definition from Jumptheshark.com, pretty much what you said:

It's a moment. A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark." From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same.

The term "jump the shark" was coined by my college roommate for 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back in 1985. This web site, book, film, and all other material surrounding shark jumping, are hereby dedicated to "the Colonel."

The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually "jumped the shark." The rest is history.

PrettyinPink55 · 08-19-2005, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

Well here is the definition from Jumptheshark.com, pretty much what you said:

It's a moment. A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark." From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same.

The term "jump the shark" was coined by my college roommate for 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back in 1985. This web site, book, film, and all other material surrounding shark jumping, are hereby dedicated to "the Colonel."

The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually "jumped the shark." The rest is history.

Thanks for posting that!

Kay Scarpetta · 08-20-2005, 09:59 AM

For me, it's literally a bunch of people jumping on top of a shark...

Janice · 08-20-2005, 10:23 AM

I use the term Jump The Shark occasionally for other things besides tv shows. If I'm explaining that a certain something's best days are behind, I'll say it. A marriage or a friendship ending, a Hollywood career, etc.

vienna waits · 08-20-2005, 01:31 PM

i never knew of that phrase until I came to SO and saw people talking about that site.

theshark8777 · 08-20-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I use the term Jump The Shark occasionally for other things besides tv shows. If I'm explaining that a certain something's best days are behind, I'll say it. A marriage or a friendship ending, a Hollywood career, etc.

Quote:

Jumping the shark applies not only to TV, but also music, film, even everyday life. "Did you see her boyfriend? She definitely jumped the shark." You get the idea.

Thats from the website too, lol. The creators of that site would be so proud of you Janice!

L&OFan4Eva · 08-20-2005, 02:00 PM

My definition for Jump the Shark: *warning: this is highly inappropriate*

Jumping bones with someone nicknamed "Shark"

Janice · 08-20-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

Thats from the website too, lol. The creators of that site would be so proud of you Janice!

Yeah, I'm usually ahead of the curve...not.

About a year ago, I was having an argument with my husband, and I yelled at him, "This marriage has officially jumped the shark!". I didn't mean a word of it, but it sounded good at the time.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 08-20-2005, 05:10 PM

"Hollywood Parts 1-3"

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 08-20-2005, 05:18 PM

it means...raising your feet, building energy to propel yourself in the air, lean forward and land a foot in front of where you were just standing while a shark happens to be under you. Jump the shark.

08-19-2005, 11:09 PM	#1
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	What does the term "jump the shark" mean to you? I just wanted to know what the term means to everyone, and how they determine whether a show has jumped the shark. To me, when a show jumps the shark, it means that it has resorted to some desperate means for ratings...it may be a dumb-attention-getting storyline or a special guest star to boost ratings, etc. I think it also means when a show loses it's touch, and what once made the show special and unique or original fades and the show goes stale and becomes like every other show out there. How about you?
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08-19-2005, 11:11 PM	#2
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Jump the shark is when a show hits its climax, and goes downhill. This usually is accompanied by desperate means for ratings as you said. Or say a new child.
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08-19-2005, 11:14 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	For me its the instant that a once loved show is no longer enjoyable.
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08-20-2005, 09:59 AM	#8
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	For me, it's literally a bunch of people jumping on top of a shark...
	__________________ The people who think they know everything about Broadway make me laugh. They've never seen a Broadway play in their life. "oh mi godddd RENT's a mooovie! lyke 525600 minuuuuuuutes!" No. To be a Broadway Freak, you must live, eat, sleep, study, devout, think, obsess, dream, believe Broadway. You must know original & revival casts, soundtracks, performance runs, dates, theatres, numbers, how many Tony Awards A Chorus Line won. You must be Broadway. That's right bitches. I AM Broadway.

08-20-2005, 01:31 PM	#10
vienna waits avatars are stupid. Forum Superstar Join Date: May 18, 2001 Location: Ravenclaw Common Room Posts: 29,859	i never knew of that phrase until I came to SO and saw people talking about that site.
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08-19-2005, 11:13 PM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Its also funny you should mention this today. I just watched Arrested Development and Henry Winkler literally "Jumped the Shark" a la Happy Days, where the phrase got its name from.

08-20-2005, 10:23 AM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I use the term Jump The Shark occasionally for other things besides tv shows. If I'm explaining that a certain something's best days are behind, I'll say it. A marriage or a friendship ending, a Hollywood career, etc.

08-20-2005, 02:00 PM	#12
L&OFan4Eva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 02, 2005 Posts: 477	My definition for Jump the Shark: warning: this is highly inappropriate Jumping bones with someone nicknamed "Shark"

08-20-2005, 05:10 PM	#14
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	"Hollywood Parts 1-3"
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08-20-2005, 05:18 PM	#15
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	it means...raising your feet, building energy to propel yourself in the air, lean forward and land a foot in front of where you were just standing while a shark happens to be under you. Jump the shark.
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