jump the shark

jump the shark

1. In television programming, to resort to using an obvious or unbelievable gimmick in a scene, episode, or storyline as a means of maintaining viewership, especially when the show's quality and/or popularity has begun to decline. The phrase alludes to the sitcom Happy Days, in which the character Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumps over a shark on water-skis in the fifth season. This show used to have some of the wittiest writing in television, but they really jumped the shark when they introduced a contrived alien invasion in the seventh season.
2. By extension, to signal, especially through a conspicuous activity, event, or maneuver, a decline in the progress or evolution of something (e.g., a company, a brand, a political endeavor, etc.). The global tech giant, whose smartphone brand transformed the everyday technological landscape, seems to have jumped the shark this week when they revealed a line of computer-synced sneakers touted as their new flagship product. The governor was accused of jumping the shark during his re-election campaign by joining in with the cheerleading squad at his former high school's football game.
See also: jump, shark
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

jump the shark

(of a television series or film) reach a point at which far-fetched events are included merely for the sake of novelty, indicative of a decline in quality. US informal
This phrase is said to refer to an episode of the long-running US television series Happy Days, in which the central character (the Fonz) jumped over a shark while waterskiing.
See also: jump, shark
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˈjump the shark

(American English) if a television programme jumps the shark, it starts to decline in quality and introduces ridiculous ideas in order to maintain the interest of the publicThis comes from the TV series Happy Days, in which on one show a character jumped over a shark while waterskiing.
See also: jump, shark
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

jump the shark

To undergo a sustained decline in quality or popularity.
See also: jump, shark
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • shark
  • a good job/thing too
  • and a good job, too
  • and a good thing, too
  • hook
  • hook it
  • hooked
  • hooks
  • deus ex machina
  • ex
References in periodicals archive
eo Williams of Jump the Shark, a band whose musical inuences include Hendrix and Primal Scream, and who are due to record a session at the world famous Abbey Road Studios as part of the BRITS backed award, said of their involvement, "We are delighted to be announced as part of the BikeFest line-up.
FUN, FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC AT BIKEFEST
In case you missed it, that much-loved phrase to denote a good thing gone bad, "jump the shark," may have jumped the shark itself.
Phrase has changed but the meaning's the same
This week, Facebook had its Jump the Shark moment, akin to Harvey Keitel appearing in Sister Act alongside Whoopi Goldberg.
Facebook fans .. get out more
Now, in that difficult third season, this week's opening episode would have seen it jump the shark if it hadn't already from the very start.
SHANE ON SCREEN: Footballers' Wives nets criticism 'cause it's foul
Jump the Shark, a four-piece indie-rock band from the area are set to perform on the main stage alongside Eternal Taal who are an award-winning Bhangra entertainment team based in Birmingham that have recently performed at Glastonbury Festival.
BikeFest 2015: What to expect; Birmingham BikeFest 2015 at Eastside City Park is the flagship event of Birmingham Cycle Revolution and is the first of six annual festivals
JUMP THE SHARK: Describes the point in a TV series when the writers, desperate for new ideas, start to mess with the programme.
Don't go Tyson if pram face chuggers see your bingo wings!; THE SHEEPLE'S GUIDE TO MODERN STREET JARGON..
Joining them on the bill are The Shanklins, Jump The Shark, David Young and The Midnight Chorus, and The Second Trip.
CONCERT Bands in line for Teenage Cancer Trust benefit gig