Jump The Shark

[Plunge Penguin]

Most would be familiar with this term - for those who aren't, it's the moment when a show takes the dive downwards from its glory days and never recovers (based on the Happy Days episode when Fonzie jumped over a shark in a contest). I was thinking the other night that a fin has started appearing over The Chaser lately - getting too focussed on straight comedy skits rather than clever political commentary.

So...what was the moment that your favorite TV show "jumped the shark"? I loved "Married With Children" but when serial pest Ted McGinley joined the cast (an often quoted cause of shows jumping!!), it never seemed the same.

[Magpiespower]

I was thinking the other night that a fin has started appearing over The Chaser lately...

When you have to resort to literal toilet humour - Daryl Somers poo jokes? - you've definitely run out of steam.

A tell-tale sign that a show has jumped the shark is the appearance of celebrity guest characters, week after week...

[smithy]

The moment scrappy doo joined his uncle scooby the show went down hill.

[zipzap]

Pretty sure this thread has jumped the shark, been around a few times methinks. Still, I agree about the Chaser, last week was appalling.

Whenever a new cast member comes along to upset the apple cart there's usually reason to suspect some shark action is afoot. Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch, Great Gazoo on the Flintstones, Andy on Family Ties, red headed freckle faced kid on Diff'rent Strokes, Kyle Sandilands on Big Brother...

[Mr66]

Andrew Demetriou joining the AFL.

[Hondo]

The White Room on Big Brother

[Dissident]

Big Brother on TV

[TroyGFC]

The third series of Tour of Duty when they recruit more people and become a platoon.

[Hondo]

It also happens when they finally get the "sexual tension" couple together

The show works because everyone wants to see them get together but once they do we lose interest ....

- Moonlighting
- The Nanny (I assume)
- Cheers
- That Tony Danza show

There'd be others

[Mr66]

It also happens when they finally get the "sexual tension" couple together

The show works because everyone wants to see them get together but once they do we lose interest ....

- Moonlighting
- The Nanny (I assume)
- Cheers
- That Tony Danza show

There'd be others

Nup.
I still liked Cheers adter Diane left.
Watching series 4 and 6 right now.

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

WWF/WWE 'rasslin has 'Jumped the Shark' on numerous occasions...
Thru the tragically sad early to mid 90's pre 'Attitude' era to the more recent
RACIST (Cheap Heat) pro-Bush Muhummad Hassan, Cryme Time, Jimmy Wang Yang crap we've had recently!

[Wedgie]

Prison Break.
Should have finished at the end of Season 2.

[Rik E Boy]

The Bill after they turned it into a soap opera.
Rock after looks became more important than musical talent.
America after George W Bush was 'elected'.
FOX after the demise of Fox Footy.
Drinking at pubs after the introduction of RBT.
Drinking at pubs after the introduction of Poker machines.
Live music at pubs after the introduction of Poker machines.
Rolling Stones after Tattoo You.
The Simpsons after that Panda Rape episode.
Big Brother first episode.
Any ABC show after it appears on a commercial television network.
Michael Jackson after Thriller.
Jimmy Barnes after he left Cold Chisel.

regards,

REB

[gadj1976]

Mine lean toward old TV shows:

When Thel left Kingswood Country
When Bea left Prisoner
When Molly died in A Country Practice
When Mr Drummond got married and that little kid appeared in D'ffrent Strokes
When Andy arrived in Family Ties
Bam Bam and Pebbles grew up
Get Smart made a movie
Friends got married
When James left Good Times
When Radar left Mash
Mork had a son!

that'll do for the time being

[Mr66]

Seven joined Married...with Children.

[rogernumber10]

One Test into Shane Warne's retirement, my enjoyment of Test cricket has threatened to jump the shark.

I've had a continuous line of compelling viewing blokes from Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell through Dennis Lillee, Allan Border, Mark Waugh and Shane Warne that I absolutely had to watch at all times.

Ponting is a genius but I'm needing a bowling spark already.

[Dogwatcher]

Oh come on - Clarke's an exciting bowler!

[Dogwatcher]

However, I feel the same about it.
I've steadfastly stood by test cricket when people have bagged it because "it's boring as Australia wins all the time", or because the "talent pool's thinner". But now it's even getting to the point where I'm almost over it.

What's jumped The Shark?

The Australian media pumping up the touring opposition and telling us they're going to provide a challenge this summer.

The Australian media telling us each summer that the opposition's bowling attack's set to be the best we've faced in years.

I can't believe I've just typed all those words, a true believer and all!

[rogernumber10]

This touring team has the best batting line-up australia has faced since (insert whenever).

Im a bit over blokes coming here with averages of 57 and mailing in a series average of 26. I'm looking at you Kallis, Ganguly, etc etc etc etc

[Dogwatcher]

How about:

Sub-continental teams in which politics divides the teams and stops them from playing to their true potential. Thus depriving us of a strong competitor.