8.30.2005
Jump the Shark
I was over at I Am Bored.com and followed the link to the To Coin a Phrase - Mythbusters Quiz (fyi... apparently, a mythbuster I am not). One of the questions on the quiz was: The phrase "jump the shark," which describes the point at which the quality of a television series begins to decline, was inspired by an episode of Happy Days. True or False? The answer (to one of the few questions I got right):
Naturally, I had to check out the Jump the Shark website. I thought it was kinda cool to compare my reasons for ditching a show with others. First stop, The West Wing. My opinion: the jump the shark moment was when Aaron Sorkin left. Survey says:
Yep, feeling pretty validated on that one. Checked out a few more shows but was moved to write this post after checking out CSI: Miami. I'm a big fan of the original CSI but never warmed up to the first spin-off. Why? Because David Caruso takes himself waaay too seriously. So it was a laugh-out-loud moment when I read the survey results:
Perfect!!!
The correct answer is true. In 1977, ABC aired an episode of Happy Days in which the character Fonzie jumped over a shark in a tank on water skis in an attempt to boost the show's ratings. While the show continued for several more seasons, it just wasn't the same.
The phrase "jumped the shark" was coined in the mid-1980s to describe the deterioration of a TV series after a pivotal episode or plot twist, and, in 1997, the www.jumptheshark.com Web site was launched to document this phenomenon. The phrase is widely used today, particularly within the television industry.
Some examples of how a TV show can "jump the shark" include having any of the main characters die, get married, have a baby or leave the show; introducing a new character or a special guest star; replacing an actor; changing the show's setting; or failing to adequately resolve a season-finale cliffhanger.
Naturally, I had to check out the Jump the Shark website. I thought it was kinda cool to compare my reasons for ditching a show with others. First stop, The West Wing. My opinion: the jump the shark moment was when Aaron Sorkin left. Survey says:
1. 198 votes (26%) for "Never Jumped";
2. 86 votes (11%) for "Exit...Stage Left (Sorkin and Schlamme)"...
Yep, feeling pretty validated on that one. Checked out a few more shows but was moved to write this post after checking out CSI: Miami. I'm a big fan of the original CSI but never warmed up to the first spin-off. Why? Because David Caruso takes himself waaay too seriously. So it was a laugh-out-loud moment when I read the survey results:
1. 46 votes (23 %) for "Caruso thinks he's Brando"...
Perfect!!!
Labels: pop culture, quizzes, tv
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