What does it mean when a sitcom has "jumped the shark"?!
Question: i hate the phrase i see it everywhere,any ideas?
Answers: i hate the phrase i see it everywhere,any ideas?
The term jumping the shark alludes to a specific scene in a 1977 episode of the TV series Happy Days when the popular character Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli literally jumps over a shark while water skiing. The scene was so preposterous that many believed it to be an ill-conceived attempt at reviving the declining ratings of the flagging show. Since then, the phrase has become a colloquialism used by U.S. TV critics and fans to denote the point at which the characters or plot of a TV series veer into a ridiculous, out-of-the-ordinary storyline. Such a show is typically deemed to have passed its peak. Once a show has "jumped the shark" fans sense a noticeable decline in quality or feel the show has undergone too many changes to retain its original charm.
It just barely managed not to get canceled. "Jump the shark" usually means someone has managed to avoid disaster by the skin of their teeth.
From the web site:
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.
For more info visit the web site
http://www.jumptheshark.com/index.jspa
When a show has passed its peak and is over but they won't give it up.
It comes from Happy Days when the Fonz (who was deathly afraid of sharks) jumped on waterskis over a caged shark.
It means: CONGRATULATIONS you've successfully cleared the shark ramp, but watch out theres a piranha pit ahead, and you've gotalot of meat on them bones....oh no.
Answerer 'Stinky' has it right.It's a shame when it happens,but all good things must come to an end,they should let them go out on a high