When TV shows jump the shark

[JunieJay]

Sometimes that does work though - Monica and Chadler were a great couple on Friends. And I also disagree with the OP - Rachel and Ross having a baby together was great and opened up some great story lines. Some of the best episodes, (in my opinion,) were from the season when Rachel was pregnant.

I agree that Monica and Chandler revved up the show, they were a great couple and the two actors played off each other so well. But Jennifer Anniston made a very unbelievable pregnant person imo. I never felt I was watching Rachel pregnant, just Jennifer pretending to be. I didn't buy the Joey in love with Rachel thing either.

 

[Cindy B]

L.A. Law--when Michael and Victor (and maybe somebody else? Can't remember) left to form their own practice.

ER--there's several moments to choose from, but I'll go with when Mark Green died (although I lost alot of interest when Carol left)

I thought LA LAW shark moment was when that older woman who was dated that senior partner (Langley?) fell down the open elevator shaft

 

[debster812]

I'm intrigued...what does "jump the shark" mean?

Fairy Dust--the literal translation means that the show is WELL past it's prime, and should not be on the air any longer.

The actual quote comes from the Happy Days series. All the regulars went to Hollywood, and through some bet or turn of fortune, Fonzie had to waterski jump over an ocean pen of sharks. And of COURSE he did it, in his leather jacket.

 

[eclectics]

I agree that Monica and Chandler revved up the show, they were a great couple and the two actors played off each other so well. But Jennifer Anniston made a very unbelievable pregnant person imo. I never felt I was watching Rachel pregnant, just Jennifer pretending to be. I didn't buy the Joey in love with Rachel thing either.

That was the only story line that made me wince, otherwise, I think the show was fresh and funny right up to the end.

 

[Lachesis00]

I love Frasier. I hated when they hooked up. I watch re-runs but often bypass the Niles and Daphne ones when they were a couple. No where near as good as before when Niles was such a dork LOL.

Yup. Niles and Daphne from Frasier come to mind. They were always better when he was pining away from her and she was clueless. I just never bought that they would be a couple in real life.

 

[JunieJay]

I'm intrigued...what does "jump the shark" mean?

The term "jumping the shark" originated from a Happy Days episode that had Fonzie jumping with water skis over shark infested waters. It was the beginning of the end for that show, the point of no return. Thats what it means - when a long running show starts to go downhill.

I'm thinking The Golden Girls never jumped the shark, what do you all think? I remember the ending being a bit silly with Dorothy marrying someone and Stanley being the limo driver, but right up to the end I think that show was still good.

 

[Cindy B]

I love Frasier. I hated when they hooked up. I watch re-runs but often bypass the Niles and Daphne ones when they were a couple. No where near as good as before when Niles was such a dork LOL.

I loved dorky Niles as well.

 

[Cindy B]

The term "jumping the shark" originated from a Happy Days episode that had Fonzie jumping his motorcycle over shark infested waters. It was the beginning of the end for that show, the point of no return. Thats what it means - when a long running show starts to go downhill.

d.

See I thought Fonzie waterskiied over the shark waters... did I dream the waterskiing?

Fonzie did do an Evil Kenivel type stunt with older cars and the motorcycle in the Al's Parking lot...

 

[JunieJay]

See I thought Fonzie waterskiied over the shark waters... did I dream the waterskiing?

Fonzie did do an Evil Kenivel type stunt with older cars and the motorcycle in the Al's Parking lot...

He did. I got the two confused and I edited my post, you were just too quick for me.

I was thinking of another that never jumped the shark: Everybody Loves Raymond. That show was so well written, right to the very end. And Sex and the City. That show had several more seasons left in it.

 

[Bob Slydell]

See I thought Fonzie waterskiied over the shark waters... did I dream the waterskiing?

Fonzie did do an Evil Kenivel type stunt with older cars and the motorcycle in the Al's Parking lot...

Yep, the shark was waterskiing, the motorcycle was a jump over cars or barrels or something like that.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I'm thinking The Golden Girls never jumped the shark, what do you all think? I remember the ending being a bit silly with Dorothy marrying someone and Stanley being the limo driver, but right up to the end I think that show was still good.

I don't know what was going on in my life at the time, but I missed the last couple of seasons. However, it's one of my 17 year old daughter's favorite shows. There was a pet commercial on the other day with Betty White and my daughter looked at me all serious and said, "Mom, when Betty White dies, I am really going to be sad. She is such a sweet lady."

 

[eclectics]

I love Frasier. I hated when they hooked up. I watch re-runs but often bypass the Niles and Daphne ones when they were a couple. No where near as good as before when Niles was such a dork LOL.

The show sort of got it's groove back for the very last season though. Some very funny episodes. I loved Daphne's mother and brother!

 

[Cindy B]

Three's Company--When Suzanne Somers left

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I was thinking of another that never jumped the shark: Everybody Loves Raymond. That show was so well written, right to the very end.

I agree. When Peter Boyle passed, I wondered how that would have affected the show if it had still been on. That would have been such a sad show to watch them address his passing.

 

[JunieJay]

I don't know what was going on in my life at the time, but I missed the last couple of seasons. However, it's one of my 17 year old daughter's favorite shows. There was a pet commercial on the other day with Betty White and my daughter looked at me all serious and said, "Mom, when Betty White dies, I am really going to be sad. She is such a sweet lady."

I love her too!

Last I saw of her she was playing this crazy loon on Boston Legal. She is wildly talented, Betty White. Remember her from the Mary Tyler Moore show as the horny cooking show hostess?

 

[koopa]

South Park - Either the episode where Cartman gets even with Scott Tenorman or the episode with Chef's Death. Pointless.

24 - After the nuclear bomb detonated in season 2.

So far, The Office hasn't jumped the shark yet imo.

 

[RadioNate]

Oh, and then they made her into a little girl. What an ANNOYING child actor that was. Does anyone else remember this child? She had curly red hair and she was just sooooooo annoying.

Ashley Johnson...."Chrissy" uggg

She is still acting.

 

[JunieJay]

Ashley Johnson...."Chrissy" uggg

She is still acting.

OMG.

I just looked her up....she played the daughter in What Women Want. I knew I recognized her from somewhere when I saw that movie a few years ago. Its that VOICE, the MOST annoying voice EVER.

 

[Cindy B]

On Ellen's TV show (the sitcom) when she came out to the audience... well for me, it was well.. now that the issue is here, what do we do with it? The writers had no clue what to do with it.

 

[of the seas]

I'm thinking The Golden Girls never jumped the shark, what do you all think? I remember the ending being a bit silly with Dorothy marrying someone and Stanley being the limo driver, but right up to the end I think that show was still good.

I think Golden Girls jumped the shark when Miles turned out to be in the witness protection plan and had to leave Rose.

That is when I think Will and Grace jumped the shark when Stan was in the witness protection plan.

witness protection plan=jumping the shark

I think Sex and the City never jumped the shark.