jump the shark

a term to describe a moment when somethin that was once great has reached a point where it will now decline in quality and popularity.

Origin of this phrase comes from a Happy Days episode where the Fonz jumped a shark on waterskis. Thus was labeled the lowest point of the show.

Cousin Oliver on Brady Bunch, Scrappy Doo.

by Anonymous October 21, 2003

jump the shark

The precise moment when you know a program, band, actor, politician, or other public figure has taken a turn for the worse, gone downhill, become irreversibly bad, is unredeemable, etc.; the moment you realize decay has set in.

Tom Cruise jumped the shark the moment he jumped Oprah's couch.

by M. R. Traska September 19, 2005

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

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

Jump the shark

Hung around too long. Kept something going when it had obviously run its course or became useless.

Keeping "Two & a Half Men" running with Ashton replacing Charlie Sheen. Further enhanced by reducing the roles of the really talented cast members like "Berta"; "Mom" & "Rose", "Jump the shark"d

by bk66 December 18, 2012