The term is actually "jumping the SHARK" referring to the painful last episodes of Happy days in which arthru fonzerelli aka 'the fonze" jumps over sharks on water skis while simultaneously wearing his trademark leather jacket. Jumping the shark occurs when a show has hit and alltime low and has to do something drastic and crazy to maintain its viewers and keep them interested.
Example- Hey did you hear that Sean and Christian are moving troy/ macnamara to LA for the new season of Nip/tuck? Wow I hope there not jumping the shark with that one.
by Moreah February 8, 2007
by VampyTara November 10, 2007
1. jumptheshark.com jumped the shark when it went to TV Guide.
2. Kid: Dad, I think that Bewitched jumped the shark when Dick York left the show.
Dad (under his breath) *whippersnapper*
2. Kid: Dad, I think that Bewitched jumped the shark when Dick York left the show.
Dad (under his breath) *whippersnapper*
by LexAveNYC June 11, 2009
Refers to a 1970's TV sitcom. It had a main character known for being the Coolest guy on TV (The Fonze). As the series entered one of its last seasons, the writers had this oh-so-cool guy waterskiing in his trademark leather jacket, to jump a shark. It was truely the moment when the series went downhill from there and was soon mercifully cancelled.
Rober Jordans book series 'The Wheel of Time' jumped the shark in book four and has gotten worse ever since.
by rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan August 1, 2003
Refers to the specific moment when a TV show goes downhill. From the Happy Days episode where Fonzie overcomes his fear of sharks by jumping over one while wearing water skis.
by Christopher Tam October 20, 2003
by bill ellis February 6, 2009
by VAKI5 May 8, 2005