Jumped The Shark - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 03-17-2003, 03:10 AM

what shows do you think "jumped the shark" and when? For those who don't know "JUMPED THE SHARK" means "went downhill". Here's my choices:

MASH-when it became "the Alan Alda show"
Happy Days-when it became "the Fonzie show" and later "the 70s Fonzie show"
Laverne & Shirley-when they moved to L.A. and half the town went with them
Ellen-when being a lesbian became her obsession
Mad About You-when Paul & Jamie had a baby
Friends-when Ross & Rachel got together again, and broke up FOR THE 90TH TIME!
Frasier-when Niles & Daphne finally got together

DarleneIllyria · 03-17-2003, 03:31 AM

Hmm, I have to admit that just about every show I like jumped the shark. Let me list them and describe them. I think I listed them before, but I'm bored, so what the hell.

Leave it to Beaver- Yeah, jumped when Beav got older. Also, when Larry Mondello (Rusty Stevens) and Mrs. Mondello (Madge Blake) left the show, sure didn't help matters any.

The Andy Griffith Show- Exit Barney Fife and we go to the color seasons. The viewers find out that Andy Taylor is the first person to experience pms for 3 whole years. You get out them black and white eps and watch them. He didn't bite off heads. He was still pretty fun to watch. You can just look at the b & w episodes and see that Andy Griffith is having such a great time on the show. The last 3 seasons, damn, he was grumpy to everybody.

Batman- Season 2 was heading towards the shark, season 3 it jumped. Maybe the movie did it? I like the movie, but maybe the movie did have something to do with it. Season 1 had great crooks and the storylines were awesome. The movie comes along and I think the writing prob. went out the window when they returned to do a 2nd season. The storylines weren't as good and they were just getting some horrible crooks. Season 3 continued the crappy storylines and crappy crooks. Cliffhangers were eliminated. Oh, they made it look like we had a cliffhanger. Catwoman sneaks into town or something and it shows her taking her claws to cut some glass to get some rare jewel or something. You had to tune in next week to see if Catwoman will outwit Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Nope, I don't count it as a cliffhanger.

Sanford and Son- It never jumped. Yeah, it got weak, but it didn't fully jump. If it lasted one more season, it would've jumped.

All in the Family- Ah, this is pretty obvious- Exit Mike and Gloria, Enter Stephanie.

My Favorite Martian- Hmm, it didn't jump. Didn't really have the time to jump. Maybe I'll file it with Sanford and Son. MFM didn't get really weak during season 3, but we were already in color during that season. Rarely can a show make it through the jump from b & w to color w/o jumping. Maybe if it lasted one more season, it would've jumped.

The Twilight Zone- Season 4 and the hour eps. I can name a few eps that I like during season 4, but it's not that many. Glad they wised up and went back to 30 minute eps.

Diff'rent Strokes- Exit Kimberly (for awhile, anyway) and Enter Sam and Maggie

The Facts of Life- Eh, I didn't really like Pippa. I still think the cast made up for her. Maybe it got weak towards the end, but not enough to fully jump. (Might I add, I hate the final ep. It focused mainly on Blair and her buying Eastland and then they do this tiny wrap up with the others that lasted about 3 minutes.)

treky · 03-17-2003, 03:50 AM

there's some that I forgot to add: (some of these you also listed)-

"The Andy Griffith show"-when Barney left, and everything suddenly turned into color
"Leave it to Beaver"-when Beaver became a teenager
"All in the family"-when the Stivics moved to California, and Stefanie joined the cast
"The Cosby show"-when the kids became adults
"Roseanne"-the entire last season
"Get Smart"-when Max & 99 got married
"McHales Navy"-when they went to Italy

and the no. 1 choice:

"Bewitched"-the "great Darrin switch"!!!

Central Perk · 03-17-2003, 10:36 AM

Frasier- The 10th Season. The writing just go so stupid and Frasier became a major annoyance.

Cheers- Never Jumped. Even though the last season was pretty weak it was still pretty funny.

Newsradio- Max Louis. The show pretty much jumped the shark when Max was added. He was just really annoying.

Saved By The Bell- Tori. Tori was just annoying and I didn't like her character. I personally think the show would have been better off with no one replacing Kelly & Jessie. The show jumped back once the finale aired.

Unwanted Angel · 03-17-2003, 10:43 AM

Laverne and Shirley did Jump the Shark when they moved to Cali IMO...I hated the Cali episodes

DarleneIllyria · 03-17-2003, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by treky

"Bewitched"-the "great Darrin switch"!!!

Aw, I completely forgot about that. Dick York rocked. He was the perfect Darrin. Dick Sargent was okay. I'm sure fans still liked the show, but I just could never get into DS's Darrin.

We need to add another switcheroo, Lionel Jefferson. The first Lionel was the best. The second Lionel sucked, imo.

Sitcomwriter · 03-17-2003, 03:59 PM

Friends-It's been face-to-face with the shark since season 5 but it just jumped recently with Season 9.It's so bland now.

Curb Your Enthusiasm-Season 3 wasn't nearly as entertaining as seasons 1 and 2 and it was also the most vulgar.

GoldenFamilyTies · 03-17-2003, 04:16 PM

The Cosby Show - Pam.
Family Ties - Making the show all about Alex. (Season 7)

*PinkLady* · 03-17-2003, 04:43 PM

Definite jumpers:

Everybody Loves Raymond - too much fighting, the same jokes are getting used over and over again.
Laverne and Shirley - Shirley leaves.
Malcolm in the Middle - Puberty. This also applies to the Wonder Years and Boy Meets World.

ClassicComedyFan2 · 03-17-2003, 05:12 PM

"The Andy Griffith Show" - When Barney left and it lacked a true humorous quality (except for when Don Knotts came back)

"The Rerun Show" - When it considered Married w/ Children a classic and did skits from it.

"Happy Days" - Jumped from the start, then became good when the live audience was added. So, it did a REVERSE jump, and was good from Fall 75-84.

"Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Will &Grace" - Day One.

Speculation:
*
*
*
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
*
*
*
"Pokemon" - With both Misty and Brock set to leave, I feel this show will indeed Jump the Shark

dawsongirl · 03-17-2003, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Frasier Crane
Saved By The Bell- Tori. Tori was just annoying and I didn't like her character. I personally think the show would have been better off with no one replacing Kelly & Jessie. The show jumped back once the finale aired.

I agree. Tori was so annoying.

Adamantium · 03-17-2003, 07:30 PM

Wings - When Lowell left after five and a half seasons. Although he wasn't one of the three major characters, you could always count on him for a laugh. Then when he was off the show, you could tell something was missing.

The Andy Griffith Show - When Barney left.

Ellen - When she came out of the closet. At first it remained funny. But in season five, we hardly saw the rest of the cast as each episode focused on Ellen and her girlfriend. Now, don't misunderstand me, I still like Ellen Degeneres, it's just that her show wasn't as funny after she came out.

In the House - When Debbie Allen left. Although the show was never the funniest show, I liked it, but once she left, it went from a family comedy to a workplace comedy.

Bonnie1983 · 03-18-2003, 04:05 PM

Happy Days - When Richie and Ralph left and went away to join the Army and when the Fonz became a teacher. Those seasons are unbearable. I can't watch them because they are so bad.

Sabrina, The Teenage Witch - When Sabrina went to college. That show is awful now. Why is it even still on the air?

Saved By The Bell - After the second season. The first season was awesome, original, and side splittingly funny. The second season wasn't quite as good but it was still enjoyable. The rest of the series...two thumbs down.

The Cosby Show - When the kids started aging, especially little Rudy.

Diff'rent Strokes - When Willis and Kimberly left that show was never the same.

Moonlighting - When Dave and Maddie slept together.

Sitcomwriter · 03-18-2003, 04:15 PM

Sabrina-When they tried to bring back all the magical things (this season).I liked it better when there was no magic at all and when Sabrina and Aaron got engaged.She should be with Harvey!

David · 03-19-2003, 11:56 AM

Three's Company- Exit Chrissy, Enter Cindy

Three's Company- Jack's Bistro.. I didnt really like the scenes in the bistro

Different Strokes- Exit Dana Plato

Laverne and Shirley- Exit Shirley

03-17-2003, 03:10 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Jumped The Shark what shows do you think "jumped the shark" and when? For those who don't know "JUMPED THE SHARK" means "went downhill". Here's my choices: MASH-when it became "the Alan Alda show" Happy Days-when it became "the Fonzie show" and later "the 70s Fonzie show" Laverne & Shirley-when they moved to L.A. and half the town went with them Ellen-when being a lesbian became her obsession Mad About You-when Paul & Jamie had a baby Friends-when Ross & Rachel got together again, and broke up FOR THE 90TH TIME! Frasier-when Niles & Daphne finally got together
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

03-18-2003, 04:05 PM	#13
Bonnie1983 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 15, 2003 Posts: 15	Happy Days - When Richie and Ralph left and went away to join the Army and when the Fonz became a teacher. Those seasons are unbearable. I can't watch them because they are so bad. Sabrina, The Teenage Witch - When Sabrina went to college. That show is awful now. Why is it even still on the air? Saved By The Bell - After the second season. The first season was awesome, original, and side splittingly funny. The second season wasn't quite as good but it was still enjoyable. The rest of the series...two thumbs down. The Cosby Show - When the kids started aging, especially little Rudy. Diff'rent Strokes - When Willis and Kimberly left that show was never the same. Moonlighting - When Dave and Maddie slept together.
	__________________ http://www.imgmag.net/images/rachelj...obebritish.gif http://www.imgmag.net/images/racheljones1/bonnie.bmp

03-19-2003, 11:56 AM	#15
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	Three's Company- Exit Chrissy, Enter Cindy Three's Company- Jack's Bistro.. I didnt really like the scenes in the bistro Different Strokes- Exit Dana Plato Laverne and Shirley- Exit Shirley
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

03-17-2003, 03:31 AM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Hmm, I have to admit that just about every show I like jumped the shark. Let me list them and describe them. I think I listed them before, but I'm bored, so what the hell. Leave it to Beaver- Yeah, jumped when Beav got older. Also, when Larry Mondello (Rusty Stevens) and Mrs. Mondello (Madge Blake) left the show, sure didn't help matters any. The Andy Griffith Show- Exit Barney Fife and we go to the color seasons. The viewers find out that Andy Taylor is the first person to experience pms for 3 whole years. You get out them black and white eps and watch them. He didn't bite off heads. He was still pretty fun to watch. You can just look at the b & w episodes and see that Andy Griffith is having such a great time on the show. The last 3 seasons, damn, he was grumpy to everybody. Batman- Season 2 was heading towards the shark, season 3 it jumped. Maybe the movie did it? I like the movie, but maybe the movie did have something to do with it. Season 1 had great crooks and the storylines were awesome. The movie comes along and I think the writing prob. went out the window when they returned to do a 2nd season. The storylines weren't as good and they were just getting some horrible crooks. Season 3 continued the crappy storylines and crappy crooks. Cliffhangers were eliminated. Oh, they made it look like we had a cliffhanger. Catwoman sneaks into town or something and it shows her taking her claws to cut some glass to get some rare jewel or something. You had to tune in next week to see if Catwoman will outwit Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Nope, I don't count it as a cliffhanger. Sanford and Son- It never jumped. Yeah, it got weak, but it didn't fully jump. If it lasted one more season, it would've jumped. All in the Family- Ah, this is pretty obvious- Exit Mike and Gloria, Enter Stephanie. My Favorite Martian- Hmm, it didn't jump. Didn't really have the time to jump. Maybe I'll file it with Sanford and Son. MFM didn't get really weak during season 3, but we were already in color during that season. Rarely can a show make it through the jump from b & w to color w/o jumping. Maybe if it lasted one more season, it would've jumped. The Twilight Zone- Season 4 and the hour eps. I can name a few eps that I like during season 4, but it's not that many. Glad they wised up and went back to 30 minute eps. Diff'rent Strokes- Exit Kimberly (for awhile, anyway) and Enter Sam and Maggie The Facts of Life- Eh, I didn't really like Pippa. I still think the cast made up for her. Maybe it got weak towards the end, but not enough to fully jump. (Might I add, I hate the final ep. It focused mainly on Blair and her buying Eastland and then they do this tiny wrap up with the others that lasted about 3 minutes.)

03-17-2003, 03:50 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	there's some that I forgot to add: (some of these you also listed)- "The Andy Griffith show"-when Barney left, and everything suddenly turned into color "Leave it to Beaver"-when Beaver became a teenager "All in the family"-when the Stivics moved to California, and Stefanie joined the cast "The Cosby show"-when the kids became adults "Roseanne"-the entire last season "Get Smart"-when Max & 99 got married "McHales Navy"-when they went to Italy and the no. 1 choice: "Bewitched"-the "great Darrin switch"!!!

03-17-2003, 10:36 AM	#4
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Frasier- The 10th Season. The writing just go so stupid and Frasier became a major annoyance. Cheers- Never Jumped. Even though the last season was pretty weak it was still pretty funny. Newsradio- Max Louis. The show pretty much jumped the shark when Max was added. He was just really annoying. Saved By The Bell- Tori. Tori was just annoying and I didn't like her character. I personally think the show would have been better off with no one replacing Kelly & Jessie. The show jumped back once the finale aired.

03-17-2003, 10:43 AM	#5
Unwanted Angel Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Posts: 12,658	Laverne and Shirley did Jump the Shark when they moved to Cali IMO...I hated the Cali episodes

03-17-2003, 03:59 PM	#7
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	Friends-It's been face-to-face with the shark since season 5 but it just jumped recently with Season 9.It's so bland now. Curb Your Enthusiasm-Season 3 wasn't nearly as entertaining as seasons 1 and 2 and it was also the most vulgar.

03-17-2003, 04:16 PM	#8
GoldenFamilyTies Por siempre tú Senior Member Join Date: Jan 15, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 1,329	The Cosby Show - Pam. Family Ties - Making the show all about Alex. (Season 7)

03-17-2003, 04:43 PM	#9
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	Definite jumpers: Everybody Loves Raymond - too much fighting, the same jokes are getting used over and over again. Laverne and Shirley - Shirley leaves. Malcolm in the Middle - Puberty. This also applies to the Wonder Years and Boy Meets World.

03-17-2003, 05:12 PM	#10
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	"The Andy Griffith Show" - When Barney left and it lacked a true humorous quality (except for when Don Knotts came back) "The Rerun Show" - When it considered Married w/ Children a classic and did skits from it. "Happy Days" - Jumped from the start, then became good when the live audience was added. So, it did a REVERSE jump, and was good from Fall 75-84. "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Will &Grace" - Day One. Speculation: * * * S P O I L E R S * * * "Pokemon" - With both Misty and Brock set to leave, I feel this show will indeed Jump the Shark

03-17-2003, 07:30 PM	#12
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Wings - When Lowell left after five and a half seasons. Although he wasn't one of the three major characters, you could always count on him for a laugh. Then when he was off the show, you could tell something was missing. The Andy Griffith Show - When Barney left. Ellen - When she came out of the closet. At first it remained funny. But in season five, we hardly saw the rest of the cast as each episode focused on Ellen and her girlfriend. Now, don't misunderstand me, I still like Ellen Degeneres, it's just that her show wasn't as funny after she came out. In the House - When Debbie Allen left. Although the show was never the funniest show, I liked it, but once she left, it went from a family comedy to a workplace comedy.

03-18-2003, 04:15 PM	#14
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	Sabrina-When they tried to bring back all the magical things (this season).I liked it better when there was no magic at all and when Sabrina and Aaron got engaged.She should be with Harvey!