One of my favorite pop culture terms is jumping the shark. For those of you who don't know it "denotes the point at which the characters or plot of a tv sereies 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", according to Wikipedia. I know many of you know this so let me proceed.
I want to know what are some current or classic shows that have "jumped the shark"? My short list:
1)Scrubs. Last year, we watched JD's short-term girlfriend, Kim, become pregnant and then claimed she lost it. Then, Scrubs took a turn into "Grey's Anatomy" Avenue and showed that Kim was lying. Seriously, in its heyday, Scrubs was a clever and funny show that showed the realistic side to medicine. Now, it got to result to these lows just to get viewers. (I do love this show, but only on the first few seasons. The musical episode was the only brightness last season brought)
2)King of the Hill. One word, Lucky. Enough said.
3)That '70s Show. Donna turned blonde. Eric and Kelso left the show and then so did viewers.
So, which shows have jumped the shark.
Comments
jkcampbell 02/22/08
I think the phrase "jump the shark" has jumped the shark itself. As soon as there is one episode that is slightly off, water-skiing Fonzie is blamed.
Jo42971 02/22/08
prision break jumped the shark after they escaped ...the first time.Now they have escaped from a "mexican prision".[because that's totally different right?']This show has gone from totally awesome to totally unwatchable in under two years.
CptSassyPants 02/22/08
If you want to talk about shows that jumped the shark, why don't you just go to www.jumptheshark.com? I'm sure there are more people who want to complain about TV shows there.
Liz 02/22/08
CptSassyPants-I do realize jumptheshark.com was the ideal place for this conversation, but I figure that users on this website would like to talk about how their favorite shows went to the downward slope. (Sidenote:I do love that website. So funny)
jkcampbell: So do you think any shows have jumped the shark? Or you just not like the phrase.
To anyone else, please comment. I like to hear your opinions.
shaggydan 02/22/08
I have a great fondness for all things West Wing, but I couldn't- could not- approve the eventual pairing of Josh and Donna. I may have loved them together, but it was the couple you never wanted to see coupled.
At least they waited til the very end and didn't drive it into the ground.
RobGrizzly 02/23/08
I think when Homer got raped by a bear on the Simpsons. That just about did it for me.
tmurry 02/23/08
Hi JK. Anyway, the term jump the shark has always seemed a little squirly to me. Back when the term first came into usage, it was used rather specifically to indicte the moment when a loved show did something ostentatious, (most importantly) desperate, and so wrongheded that it made everyone aware, in one moment, how far the show had slipped in quality. The Wiki definition points out that the term has been watered down quite a bit, and could be used to refer to most anything that gets negative about any given show. Most shows, by strict definition, have few or even no candidates for a true jump the shark moment (exceptions like the "I dare you to not to call this a shark jump" Nip/Tuck and Desperate Houswives are an exception that proves the rule) and just kind of fade out, but it's always fun to remember the real ones (Leo DiCaprio joining Family Ties, the original Fonzie jump, the addition of Oliver to the Brady Bunch, etc.). I think if V. Mars had survived to season 4, "Veronic joins the FBI would have made a great shark jumping moment (did you see the "season 4" pilot?).
jkcampbell 02/23/08
Hey, tmurry! You've pretty much summed up my feelings on it. I think its way overused.
Liz 02/23/08
Thanks everyone for responding-this is a great conversation!!
Polaski 05/22/08
Hey, that Veronica Mars season four dream pilot was fantastic...I loved it.
I miss her so much. Hahhaa
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