Jumping the shark: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
 
CSV import
Tags: mobile edit mobile web edit
 
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Jumping the shark''' is a phrase used to describe the moment when a television show, or any long-running series, makes a significant change in its content or format in an attempt to maintain or regain popularity, especially when that change is seen as a decline in quality. The term is derived from a scene in the [[Happy Days]] television series, in which the character [[Fonzie]] literally jumps over a shark while water-skiing. This moment, occurring in the fifth season, is widely regarded as the point at which the series began to decline in quality and creativity.
== Jumping the Shark ==


==Origin==
[[File:Fonzie_jumps_the_shark.PNG|thumb|right|Fonzie jumping the shark in ''[[Happy Days]]'']]
The concept of "jumping the shark" originates from the [[Happy Days]] episode titled "Hollywood: Part 3," aired on September 20, 1977. In this episode, [[Fonzie]], wearing his trademark leather jacket, performs a stunt where he jumps over a confined shark while on water-skis. This scene was intended to showcase Fonzie's bravery and coolness but ended up being criticized as an absurd and desperate attempt to boost the show's ratings.


==Usage==
"'''Jumping the shark'''" is an idiom used to describe a moment when something that was once popular or influential begins to decline in quality or relevance. The term originated from a scene in the television series ''[[Happy Days]]'' in which the character [[Fonzie]] jumps over a shark while on water skis.
Since its inception, the term has evolved beyond television and is now used in various contexts to describe any attempt to maintain or increase popularity or relevance through gimmicks, unnecessary additions, or dramatic shifts in content or format that ultimately serve to highlight a decline in quality.


==Criticism and Impact==
== Origin ==
Critics of the "jumping the shark" phenomenon argue that it often marks the beginning of a series' decline, as it may indicate that the writers have run out of fresh ideas and are resorting to outlandish or sensational plots to retain viewers' interest. However, some series have been known to recover from such moments, though they remain exceptions rather than the rule.
The phrase "jumping the shark" was coined by [[Jon Hein]] in the 1990s. It refers to the episode "[[Hollywood (Part 3)]]" of ''Happy Days'', which aired on September 20, 1977. In this episode, [[Arthur Fonzarelli|Fonzie]], played by [[Henry Winkler]], performs a water ski jump over a confined shark, wearing his trademark leather jacket.


==Related Concepts==
== Cultural Impact ==
Similar to "jumping the shark," the term "[[nuking the fridge]]" has been used to describe similar moments in film, particularly after a scene in the movie ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' where the protagonist survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a refrigerator. Both phrases highlight moments seen as absurd and indicative of a decline in a series or franchise's quality.
The term has since been used to describe the moment when a creative work, such as a television show, movie, or book series, begins to decline in quality, often due to the introduction of gimmicks or outlandish plot developments. It is often seen as a point of no return, where the work loses its original charm or appeal.


==See Also==
== Usage in Media ==
"Jumping the shark" has been applied to various television shows and other media that have experienced a noticeable decline in quality. It is often used in discussions about the longevity and sustainability of creative works, particularly in the context of [[television series]] that have run for multiple seasons.
 
== Related Concepts ==
The concept of "jumping the shark" is similar to other idioms that describe a decline in quality, such as "[[nuking the fridge]]", which refers to a scene in ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' where [[Indiana Jones]] survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator.
 
== Related Pages ==
* [[Happy Days]]
* [[Happy Days]]
* [[Fonzie]]
* [[Fonzie]]
* [[Television show]]
* [[Television series]]
* [[Nuking the fridge]]
* [[Cultural idioms]]


[[Category:Television terminology]]
[[Category:Television terminology]]
[[Category:English phrases]]
[[Category:Idioms]]
[[Category:Happy Days]]
 
{{Television-stub}}

Latest revision as of 06:00, 16 February 2025

Jumping the Shark[edit]

File:Fonzie jumps the shark.PNG
Fonzie jumping the shark in Happy Days

"Jumping the shark" is an idiom used to describe a moment when something that was once popular or influential begins to decline in quality or relevance. The term originated from a scene in the television series Happy Days in which the character Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water skis.

Origin[edit]

The phrase "jumping the shark" was coined by Jon Hein in the 1990s. It refers to the episode "Hollywood (Part 3)" of Happy Days, which aired on September 20, 1977. In this episode, Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, performs a water ski jump over a confined shark, wearing his trademark leather jacket.

Cultural Impact[edit]

The term has since been used to describe the moment when a creative work, such as a television show, movie, or book series, begins to decline in quality, often due to the introduction of gimmicks or outlandish plot developments. It is often seen as a point of no return, where the work loses its original charm or appeal.

Usage in Media[edit]

"Jumping the shark" has been applied to various television shows and other media that have experienced a noticeable decline in quality. It is often used in discussions about the longevity and sustainability of creative works, particularly in the context of television series that have run for multiple seasons.

Related Concepts[edit]

The concept of "jumping the shark" is similar to other idioms that describe a decline in quality, such as "nuking the fridge", which refers to a scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull where Indiana Jones survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator.

Related Pages[edit]