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What Does Jump the Shark Mean?

Jumping the Shark is a popular idiom used to describe when a television series, or any other form of entertainment, reaches a point of decline in quality, often due to far-fetched or gimmicky plot developments. The phrase originated in a 1977 episode of the sitcom Happy Days and has since become a widely recognized term in popular culture.

In the fifth season premiere of Happy Days aired on September 20, 1977, titled Hollywood: Part 3, the main character, Fonzie (portrayed by Henry Winkler), performs a water ski jump over a confined shark. The scene was considered a turning point for the series, as many viewers and critics felt it marked a decline in the show’s quality and believability.

Jump The Shark History

In the 1980s, while attending the University of Michigan, Jon Hein and his college roommate Sean Connolly would often discuss their favorite television shows. During one of these conversations, Connolly mentioned that he believed Happy Days had declined in quality after the episode where Fonzie jumped over a shark while water skiing. Connolly argued that this moment marked when the show had run out of good ideas and resorted to gimmicks.

Hein later incorporated this idea into his website, Jump the Shark, which he created in 1997. The website allowed users to submit and discuss moments when they believed a television series had declined in quality. Hein used Connolly’s Happy Days example as the basis for the website’s name and concept.

Hein popularized the phrase through his website and subsequent book, Jump the Shark: When Good Things Go Bad.

How is Jumping The Shark Applied Today?

Jumping the shark is used to describe a moment when a series, franchise, or public figure takes a turn for the worse, often through misguided attempts to maintain relevance or boost popularity. This can manifest in various ways, such as:

  • Outlandish plot twists or gimmicks
  • Introducing new characters or settings that don’t align with the original premise
  • Relying on celebrity guest appearances or crossover events
  • Drastically altering the tone or style of the series

The phrase has been applied to numerous television shows, movies, and even real-life events or people. Some notable examples include:

  • The Brady Bunch: When Cousin Oliver was introduced in the final season
  • The X-Files: When the series shifted focus from standalone episodes to a convoluted alien conspiracy storyline
  • The Simpsons: Various moments have been suggested, though the show’s longevity has made it difficult to pinpoint a single instance

The concept of jumping the shark has expanded beyond television and is now used to describe any situation where a product, person, or idea experiences a significant decline in quality or relevance. This can apply to music artists, politicians, business strategies, etc.

While the phrase is widely used, identifying a jump the shark moment can be subjective. Some viewers may perceive a decline in quality, while others do not. Additionally, the term has faced criticism for being overused or applied too broadly, potentially dismissing the subjective nature of entertainment and a series’ ability to recover from a perceived misstep.

Jumping the shark has become a cultural shorthand for the moment when a once-successful enterprise takes a turn for the worse, often through misguided attempts to maintain relevance or boost popularity. Despite its origins in a specific television episode, the phrase has taken on a life of its own. It continues to be used as a critical lens for evaluating the trajectory of various forms of media and public figures.

Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr is CMO of OpenINSIGHTS and the founder of the Martech Zone. Douglas has helped dozens of successful MarTech startups, has assisted in the due diligence of over $5 bil in Martech acquisitions and investments, and continues to assist companies in implementing and automating their sales and marketing strategies. Douglas is an internationally recognized digital transformation and MarTech expert and speaker. Douglas is also a published author of a Dummie's guide and a business leadership book.
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