Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Jumping the Shark

For some time, I've known of the phrase jumping the shark, referring to a television show that resorts to increasingly bizarre story-lines in order to retain viewers and ratings. I didn't know the origin of the phrase until today? Am I the only one who didn't?

For the source of jumping the shark, watch the video below.

4 comments:

Biddie said...

I actually DID know. Did you know that it was Henry Winkler's parents that came up with the idea that the Fonz should jump a shark?
I don't know why I know these things, I just do.

Candy Minx said...

Yep, you might be at the minimum one of the few that didn't know this, you crack me up! This is kind of funny because I totally imagine you as a Happy Days viewer. Well...who wasn't there wasn't anything ELSe on tv. Remember when tv was just a couple of channels?

Meanwhile..."jumping the shark" isn't especially an insult (or reason to stop watching a program) anymore. There are many tv shows now that begin from the pilot episoe already WAY past the shark jumped it in the space shuttle.. Programs like LOST, Nip/Tuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey's Anatomy begin with fairly sensational plots and action...and they are all brilliantly written and acted! Quite a stunt!

mister anchovy said...

Candy,
for some of us, tv is still just a couple of channels. Um, I think I'm happy that I crack you up. I don't get out much.

zydeco fish said...

You might be the only one. BTW, my blog jumped the shark ages ago.