When TV shows jump the shark

[JunieJay]

I was thinking about one of my favorite shows on TV today, Grey's Anatomy, and how its really close to jumping the shark this season. It probably still has some life in it, I just hope they start finding it again.

Got me to thinking of some other shows and when they jumped the shark. Here are some I thought of:

Friends - When Rachel had her baby.

Brady Bunch - When Cousin Oliver arrived on the scene.

Designing Women - When Delta Burke got the axe it shook the foundation but it took Jean Smart leaving for it really to jump the shark. She took all the southern warmth with her when she left (and interestingly enough was the only one of the 4 main characters who actually was not Southern).

Mad About You - When they decided to try to get pregnant. That show should have been about them as a couple with no kids.

Roseanne - I can't decide when that show jumped the shark. When Tom Arnold arrived on the scene it went downhill, but had a brief revival. I think it really jumped when everyone started having babies - Jackie, Roseanne, even Darlene. Darlene was so not the type to have a baby at 18 imo. Or maybe it was the introduction of the new Becky. That actress was too polished for the character of Becky imo.

All In the Family - When Jean Stapleton left the show, they should have ended it then. Archie without Edith was like pepper without salt.

What are some others?

And what are some that never jumped the shark? I'd say Mary Tyler Moore, either of the Bob Newhart shows, Curb Your Enthusiasm (although I understand they might be coming back for another season?), Dick Van ****, the Carol Burnett Show.

Your thoughts?

 

[Cindy B]

American Idol--this season. Enough said!


Laverne and Shirley--when they moved to L.A. I liked those ladies better in Milwaukee

 

[Cindy B]

Mork and Mindy-- That show was on the ramp nearing the jump as the show began. But the show really jumped the shark when Mindy had the baby and the baby was Jonathan Winters-- WTH!

ER--when Romano was killed by a stray helicopter

I agree with Mad About You-- the show went to pot when Helen Hunt had a baby. They were a much better couple without kids.

 

[ScorpioJeni]

I've got a few:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: jumped the Shark when they brought Buffy back from the Dead, the show should have ended when she sacrificed herself for her sister Dawn

Angel: when they took over the Wolfram & Hart offices

Smallville: its seems to be more about Lana then about Clark at times

 

[werty]

When Steve left Blue's Clues to pursue his "music career".

Sorry, got kids' shows on the brain.

ETA Dick van ****. HAHAHAHAHAHAha!

 

[shirleyb]

Rhoda - when she and Joe got divorced

Cheers - when Sam sold the bar to Rebecca

Seventh Heaven - when all those strange kids started living with them

 

[SwedishMeatball]

It wasn't in anybody's control, but 8 Simple Rules after John Ritter died.

I don't think Seinfeld ever jumped the shark.

 

[cybrkitn]

Dukes of Hazzard when John Schneider and Tom Wopat left and two "other" cousins came in to replace them. The other downfall? When they started to use what looked like matchbox car stunt simulations.

DH and I used to watch Charmed and we agreed that it jumped the shark when the writers were starting to "borrow" ideas from movies rather than coming up with original episodes.

 

[olena]

I hate to say this, because I love the show so much, but the Simpsons episode this season when Grandpa married Selma. I thought....HUH? Is this a storyline they shelved until the show was drawing to a close, as it may be doing with the movie coming out this summer?

I remember one of the Simpsons Clip Show episodes where it ended with that song....'They'll Never Stop the Simpsons, have no fears, we've got stories for years." They showed a wedding shot with Grandpa and Marge's sisters during that and I thought back to that when I saw the episode this year. Also in that montage and song, they showed Homer jumping a shark...

 

[Cindy B]

Six Feet Under-- when Nate and Brenda get married/Brenda pregnant for the 2nd time

Happy Days--yes waterskiing over a shark infested water was bad, but I think when Ron Howard left for "college" is when it got really bad.

(these are from my kids-- they used to love these shows but don't anymore)

Suite Life of Zach and Cody this recent episode when the whole casts go Hollywood--my kids thought it was stupid

That's So Raven--when Raven started working for Donna--BORING!

 

[cybrkitn]

Happy Days--yes waterskiing over a shark infested water was bad, but I think when Ron Howard left for "college" is when it got really bad.

DH had to explain to me not long ago that the term "jumping the shark" originated from that scene in Happy Days. Before that I never knew what the term meant

 

[eclectics]

Frasier-when Daphne and Niles finally got together.
Three's Company-when Suzanne Sommers left.


Gotta disagree with Carol Burnett though. I think it did jump the shark when Harvey Korman left and Dick Van **** took his place. It just wasn't the same.

 

[Cindy B]

Saturday Night Live-- when Lorne Michaels left producing the first time (I want to say 1981 or so) and that woman took over

Fresh Prince--when they were all talking about colleges. Did the Fresh Prince ever go to college? I can't remember.

 

[JunieJay]

I don't think Seinfeld ever jumped the shark.

I think Seinfeld only jumped the shark with the last episode. So silly. I guess they needed an excuse to have all the past characters on, but they could have come up with something a little funnier.

I did think Seinfeld was on real shaky ground when they killed Susan but somehow they survived it.

 

[JunieJay]

Gotta disagree with Carol Burnett though. I think it did jump the shark when Harvey Korman left and Dick Van **** took his place. It just wasn't the same.

You're right. I forgot about that season. Poor Dick, he never did find his groove on that show.

 

[olena]

Saturday Night Live-- when Lorne Michaels left producing the first time (I want to say 1981 or so) and that woman took over

You mean Dick Ebersol?

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I think Seinfeld only jumped the shark with the last episode. So silly. I guess they needed an excuse to have all the past characters on, but they could have come up with something a little funnier.

I did think Seinfeld was on real shaky ground when they killed Susan but somehow they survived it.

Yeah, I was disappointed with the last episode and think it could have been done better.

 

[Robinrs]

So MANY!!

I like OLD school shows so here goes:

Good Times - When James died and Thelma got married

Sanford & Son: When Lamont became a drug addict and Grady was on more than Fred (who was boycotting the show)

All in the Family: When Mike and Gloria moved and then got divorced...

Saved By the Bell: When they went to college!! Ugh!!

227: When Sandra left and they got a HORRENDOUS array of horrible replacements!!

Touched By an Angel: When Valerie Bertinelli (Gloria) joined and Monica started looking old and weird

A Different World: When Lisa Bonet left and the show turned into the Whitley/Dwayne Wayne show...ugh...

Happy Days: When Richie and the Cunninghams took a backseat to the Fonz, who lost his "cool" when he became the star and began talking too much.

Reality shows:

The Apprentice -- After the first season

Survivor -- After the 4th season

The Bachelor -- After the 4th breakup!!

 

[Cindy B]

You mean Dick Ebersol?

Before Dick Ebersol, there was a woman producer. Then there was Dick Ebersol.

Her productions were worse than the Ebersol period.

 

[JunieJay]

How about the Cosby Show, when they brought in Cousin Pam? Cousins are never a good sign.