In the last few days, a trending sentence went viral, then everybody started to ask what is “jumping the shark”, which tv series it comes from? I happily will answer you this question, then we are going to discuss how it became a cultural phenomenon and a website, other examples of TV shows that jumped the shark and why, how to avoid jumping the shark in your own creative projects, and the pros and cons of jumping the shark for ratings and publicity.
Introduction
I am sure that you have this feeling before, that you watched a TV show that started out great, but then became so ridiculous or boring that you lost interest. If so, you are not so far from here! you might also have witnessed a phenomenon known as “jumping the shark”. This term which went viral in the last few days refers to a scene in a 1977 episode of Happy Days, where Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumps over a shark while water-skiing in his leather jacket. This phrase then used to describe a moment when a creative work or outlet loses its original appeal and resorts to gimmicks or stopped to attract attention.
How jumping the shark became a cultural phenomenon and a website
The term “jumping the shark” was coined in the first time in 1985 by Jon Hein and his University of Michigan roommate Sean Connolly, who were fans of Happy Days and noticed how the show declined in quality after the infamous shark-jumping episode. They both started using the term to refer to other TV shows that had similar moments of decline.
In 1997, Hein created a website, JumpTheShark.com, to publish a list of approximately 200 television shows, and his arguments as to the moments each “jumped the shark”. The site became popular and grew with additional user-contributed examples. Hein sold his company, Jump the Shark, Inc., for “over $1 million” in 2006.
However, in 2008, TV Guide bought JumpTheShark.com and revamped it into a generic entertainment site, removing all the user comments and ratings that made it unique. Many fans of the original site were outraged by this move and accused TV Guide of jumping the shark themselves. Some of them created a new site called BoneTheFish.com, which continued the tradition of cataloging shark-jumping moments in TV shows and other media.
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Other examples of TV shows that jumped the shark and why?
Unfortunately, to me there is a lot of TV shows that jumped the shark, and according to many fans and critics of these films or shows. We can include some of the most common reasons for jumping the shark for such films and shows:
– Adding or removing a major character
– Changing the setting or premise of the show
– Introducing unrealistic or supernatural elements
– Resorting to clichés or recycled plots
– Having a controversial or disappointing finale
You want examples! I am sure you will agree on these examples of TV shows that jumped the shark:
- The X-Files: As I noticed many reviews of this film, many of its fans believe that the show jumped the shark when David Duchovny left as Fox Mulder in season 8 and was replaced by Robert Patrick as John Doggett. The show also lost its focus on the alien conspiracy arc and became more episodic and formulaic.
- Lost: I think it is obvious for many fans that the show also jumped the shark when it introduced time travel and flash-sideways in season 5 and 6, respectively. The show also failed to answer many of the mysteries and questions that it raised throughout its run.
- Game of Thrones: this great series was very disappointing, as many fans believe that the show jumped the shark when it surpassed George R.R. Martin’s books in season 6 and relied on original scripts by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The show also rushed its final season and delivered a controversial and disappointing finale.
How to avoid jumping the shark in your own creative projects
As many of the previous examples, every writer or producer is afriad his work one day will jump the shark! here are some tips you might want to avoid jumping the shark in your own projects:
- Stay true to your original vision and purpose
- Respect your audience’s expectations and intelligence
- Maintain consistency and continuity in your characters and storylines
- Avoid unnecessary changes or additions that do not serve your plot or theme
- Keep your work fresh and original by exploring new ideas and perspectives
- End your work on a satisfying note that wraps up your main conflicts and themes
The pros and cons of jumping the shark for ratings and publicity
As you might think jumping the shark is bad, but it is not always the case! Sometimes, it can have positive effects on ratings and publicity. Here are some pros and cons of jumping the shark:
Pros:
- It can generate buzz and attention for your work or outlet
- The best thing you might risk your work for is that these new changes can attract new audiences who are curious or intrigued by your stunt or gimmick
- It may also inject new energy and creativity into a stale or declining project
Cons:
- It can alienate or disappoint your loyal fanbase who are invested in the original premise and characters
- It can damage the integrity and credibility of your work or outlet
- It can lead to a downward spiral of gimmicks and stunts that overshadow the quality and substance of your work
The opposite of jumping the shark: TV shows that improved over time
You can imagine how many TV shows have jumped the shark, but in the opposite side there is a lot of series that have improved over time and defied expectations. Here are some examples:
- Breaking Bad: As many of its fans claims, it always gets better. The show started out strong and got better with each season, culminating in a satisfying and well-executed finale.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The show had a rocky start in its first season, but gradually found its footing and became one of the most beloved and influential shows of its genre.
- Parks and Recreation: The show started out as a derivative clone of The Office, but evolved into its own unique and hilarious comedy that showcased the talents of its ensemble cast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, jumping the shark is a cultural phenomenon that has become synonymous with the decline and gimmickry of creative works or outlets. While it can generate short-term ratings and publicity, it can also damage the integrity and credibility of the project in the long run.
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