"Jumped the Shark"

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Probably a stupid question but what does "jumped the shark" mean? I have seen that expression several times lately in thread titles and posts.

TIA for the answer and for not laughing at me!!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

It means that a show has done something stupid and taken a downward turn.

It was inspired by an episode of Happy Days in which the Fonz actually jumps a shark.

 

[stevenpensacola]

check out

http://www.jumptheshark.com/index.jspa

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Oh ok..... thanks!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

It's when a show, looking to "up" its ratings, does something drastic (usually totally off-base) to entice viewers to watch. All it does is end up such a ridiculous storyline that it pretty-much guarantees the demise of the show.

 

[Becky2005]

If I understand this correctly...in a Happy Days episode Fonzie jumped a shark.

It was believed that was the episode that marked the end of the series.

So, whenever someone thinks an episode is the downturn of a series, it's said to "jump the shark"

I remember something along those lines being mentioned on a Happy Days reunion show.

That's the gist of what I remember. I'm sure someone else has a much better explination.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jump+the+shark

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Oh yeah, I do remember that Happy Days episode. It was dumb so I can understand the expression.

Thanks for the explanations. Now I understand.

 

[charlie,nj]

The guy who started the web site now works on the Howard Stern satellite radio show. He was a guest on the FM show over the years, Howard liked him. HS now calls him the millionaire nerd. I think TV Guide paid him a couple of million dollars for his web site. Nice!!!



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[bicker]

While Happy Days truly "Jumped the Shark" at that episode, I've found that, these days, at least 90% of the time someone says something has "Jumped the Shark" it really is just a case where that person saying it is upset. It is a phrase now abused more than used, and generally only to make someone's personal preference sound more important than it is.