[Taltarzac725]

Fonzie Jumps the Shark on Happy Days (Episode 5.3) 1977 - YouTube


I had not seen this before. Were they trying to capitalize on the Jaws frenzy?

[collie1228]

They probably were, but clearly, their ideas tank was running on empty.

[Waverunner]

From the Urban Dictionary: Jump The Shark - a term to describe a moment when somethin that was once great has reached a point where it will now decline in quality and popularity.

Origin of this phrase comes from a Happy Days episode where the Fonz jumped a shark on waterskis. Thus was labeled the lowest point of the show.

This has led to "The 10 Biggest Jump-The-Shark Moments in TV History" and the like. "Jump The Shark" is that identifiable moment that it starts to go downhill.

[zcaveman]

Jumping the Shark usually occurs with long running shows when the married couple decide to have a baby or the two stars decide to get married.

Z