jump the shark

Original meaning was the point when a television series shows it has run out of ideas and must resort to stunts to retain viewer interest. Derived from a scene in the last years of Happy Days when the Fonz waterskied over a shark. Includes actions such as "it was all a dream" episodes, live episodes, lead actors playing guest characters, and putting entire cast into a parody of some pop cultural event.

It looks like "Will and Grace" decided to jump the shark. They are doing a live episode in black and white where they are all characters from Star Wars. Elton John will play Jabba the Hut who shoots Jack with a "straight ray" gun.

by Brent Thompson September 22, 2005

Jumping the Shark

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 9, 2007

Jumped the Shark

When a TV show has reached its peak and stops being any good.

X-Files totally jumped the shark when Mulder was abducted by aliens.

by VampyTara December 3, 2007

jump the shark

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

JUMP THE SHARK

when something stops getting better and starts getting worse

The Jump The Shark website, jumptheshark.com, jumped the shark when it was bought by TV Guide.

by bill ellis February 6, 2009

jump the shark

The precise moment when you know a tv show, rock band, or actor has gone downhill.

The Brady Bunch jumped the shark the day Cousin Oliver joined the cast.

by VAKI5 May 8, 2005

jumping the shark

It is the precise moment when you recognize that something is really over although it's momentum carries it on for a few steps.

She lit another cigarette and looked away. Her eyes looking beyond me told me for sure that the shark had been jumped.

Howard Dean's campaign jumped the Shark when he stood on the stage raving and shaking his fist at the crowd.

by J. Salyer March 22, 2004