"Jumped the shark"

Has this phrase/concept been given some sort of talismanic connotation that it doesn't deserve? People dismiss shows out of hand because they've done one of the verboten shark jumping plot devices, as if it's a prescriptive law, rather than a way of talking about changes in a TV show. I mean, in real life, people have babies, people die, these things happen. Why not on TV?

"Jumped the shark" has jumped the shark.

Saying "'Jumped the shark' has jumped the shark." is the new black.

I agree. I was mildly amused reading the book (I'm sure there are more than one by now) a few years ago, but i don't take it very seriously. And the phrase has gotten rather annoying. Shows should be able to evolve without it being a death knell or an indication of irrelevancy. I also find it amusing that on the website they list practically every show imaginable, even the ones in their first year. "So and so show jumped the shark in episode 4!" What?!

dammit, I thought this thread was going to be about the Fonz.

If I could draw, I'd do a Family Circus style one panel comic, with Mom carrying newborn twins into the house. Little Brother is standing by the doorway, saying to Big Sister, "This family has jumped the shark."

(If anyone wants to draw that, I demand writing credit and 50% royalties.)

yes, the phrase tends to get overused, but i think the phrase still has validity to it. i find it's use is proper when a show does something in an obvious attempt to boost ratings. yeah, people have babies, etc, in real life, but people don't watch most TV shows to see "real life." christ, even reality shows aren't "real life."

TV regulates our anxieties. We look to it for order in a chaotic world. We don't want it to change. Kramer is always kramer. Doug and Carrie are always childless. When a show jumps it shocks us because it is no longer a constatnt. It becomes too much like reality and it displeases us.

Jump the Shark = Sinking Ship!!!

www.jumptheshark.com

That would be a really funny cartoon, unfortunately I can't draw either.

They would never allow it, the readers of family circus might have a collective coronary if something that edgy was put to ink.

Hahahaha! I was gonna post something similiar.