If I say a show has "jumped the shark" do you know the reference and what it means?

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Yes, but I didn't actually see the show.

 

[Imzadi]

Wow, I finally get to use this gif.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the phrase itself sort of jumped the shark at some point. People use it all the time without having any idea where it came from.

 

[soccerdad72]

Yes I do. Just here to add that the whole phrase/idea is a misnomer. Happy Days eating DIDN'T go down after Fonzie I moved the shark, which is the whole point of the phrase... Thought it was kinda funny when I learned that!

The show was probably already on its way down before that episode, but that show definitely marked the lowest point of the series, which is the point.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I'm a little too young for Happy Days, but I did know that is where the phrase came from even though I never watched the show.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Yes, I watched Happy Days as a kid. In real life, Henry Winkler was good at water-skiing and apparently the story was his idea. There was a previous episode where he jumped over a row of garbage cans on his motorcycle, so while it seemed ridiculous, wasn’t completely out of character.

The show was probably already on its way down before that episode, but that show definitely marked the lowest point of the series, which is the point.

Actually, it wasn’t. That episode was in the 4th season, when it was the #1 rated show, and it went on for 7 more seasons. I admit I lost interest in the last few years, when Richie went into the army and got married (Ron Howard left the show), and the focus was on Fonzie and other characters like Joanie and Chachi.

 

[Mysterian]

I remember Joanie Loves Chachi. It was supposed to be early-mid 60's but looked completely late 70's. That's all I wanted to say.

Yes, but I didn't actually see the show.

What Kathryn Merteuil said.
I vaguely remember it being on TV at the time, I think, but I was over Happy Days by then.

 

[Mysterian]

I think the phrase itself sort of jumped the shark at some point. People use it all the time without having any idea where it came from.

I kinda like that, though. It's a trope that's become so prevalent it's outlasted it's source reference. There's probably other examples where we use expressions from long-retired things. I can't think of any at the moment, Mom2rtk, I have not yet had my coffee!

 

[Mysterian]

Awww. Y'all remember metal lunchboxes? I get an instant nostalgic memory of the smell of PB&J and Kool-Aid.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Yes, but not until recently (like within a year). My husband told me. I knew of that Happy Days episode but I never heard the phrase before.

 

[soccerdad72]

Actually, it wasn’t. That episode was in the 4th season, when it was the #1 rated show, and it went on for 7 more seasons. I admit I lost interest in the last few years, when Richie went into the army and got married (Ron Howard left the show), and the focus was on Fonzie and other characters like Joanie and Chachi.

For what it's worth - it was Season 5. You're right, however - the show still had really good ratings until after season 7 (which is, I believe, when Ron Howard had left the show).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Days_(season_5)

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I kinda like that, though. It's a trope that's become so prevalent it's outlasted it's source reference. There's probably other examples where we use expressions from long-retired things. I can't think of any at the moment, Mom2rtk, I have not yet had my coffee!

The origin of “OK” comes to mind! There was a trend in the 1800s to abbreviate intentionally misspelled phrases (because that was a cool and edgy thing to do or something) and OK is the abbreviation of oll korrect (all correct).

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50042/whats-real-origin-ok

 

[Mysterian]

The origin of “OK” comes to mind! There was a trend in the 1800s to abbreviate intentionally misspelled phrases (because that was a cool and edgy thing to do or something) and OK is the abbreviation of oll korrect (all correct).

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50042/whats-real-origin-ok

Those 1800's hipsters would fit right in with all the texting lingo today- a world where so much is misspelled and abbreviated!

 

[GreatLakes]

Of course. That is a pretty widely know saying even for people that don't know the origin.

 

[Minnesota!]

Yes, I know. I have never seen that episode, but over the years, I have heard it and looked to see what it meant.

 

[AustinTink]

I had no idea people used that phrase without knowing its origin. How on earth did jump the shark mean "done/bad/over" to them without knowing where it came from?

 

[tvguy]

It was probably 20 years after Happy Days went off the air before I learned that Jump The Shark was from the show and why.,
Never was really into that show. I was more into the Rockford Files, Hawaii 5-0, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Barnaby Jones, Dallas, CHIPS, Magnum PI viewer. But I will admit I did watch probably the quirkiest TV show of all time, Soap.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Yes, I watched Happy Days as a kid. In real life, Henry Winkler was good at water-skiing and apparently the story was his idea. There was a previous episode where he jumped over a row of garbage cans on his motorcycle, so while it seemed ridiculous, wasn’t completely out of character.


Actually, it wasn’t. That episode was in the 4th season, when it was the #1 rated show, and it went on for 7 more seasons. I admit I lost interest in the last few years, when Richie went into the army and got married (Ron Howard left the show), and the focus was on Fonzie and other characters like Joanie and Chachi.

Fonzie jumped the shark in season 5. It finished that season #2 having finished the 4th season #1. It's rank in the ratings for subsequent seasons are 4, 17,15, 18, 28.63

But jumped the shark doesn't necessarily refer to ratings. For many Spongebob fans, that show jumped the shark after season 3. It went on well enough, but it just wasn't the same. All series go into ratings decline at some point. But not all of them jump the shark. There's a thread on this front page about losing the magic. Worded differently, it could be titled jumping the shark. Another phrase Indiana Jones fans can relate to is nuking the fridge.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I had no idea people used that phrase without knowing its origin. How on earth did jump the shark mean "done/bad/over" to them without knowing where it came from?

Probably the same way people refer to hanging up a phone even though entire generations alive today have never actually hung a phone to end a call. Things just become normalized and unless you have reason to question them, you often don’t.

 

[elgerber]

Totally. And watched it when it originally aired. My 26 year old dd knows as well, but has not seen it.