Jumping the shark

Jumping the Shark

Fonzie jumping the shark in Happy Days

"Jumping the shark" is an idiom used to describe a moment when something that was once popular or influential begins to decline in quality or relevance. The term originated from a scene in the television series Happy Days in which the character Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water skis.

Origin

The phrase "jumping the shark" was coined by Jon Hein in the 1990s. It refers to the episode "Hollywood (Part 3)" of Happy Days, which aired on September 20, 1977. In this episode, Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, performs a water ski jump over a confined shark, wearing his trademark leather jacket.

Cultural Impact

The term has since been used to describe the moment when a creative work, such as a television show, movie, or book series, begins to decline in quality, often due to the introduction of gimmicks or outlandish plot developments. It is often seen as a point of no return, where the work loses its original charm or appeal.

Usage in Media

"Jumping the shark" has been applied to various television shows and other media that have experienced a noticeable decline in quality. It is often used in discussions about the longevity and sustainability of creative works, particularly in the context of television series that have run for multiple seasons.

Related Concepts

The concept of "jumping the shark" is similar to other idioms that describe a decline in quality, such as "nuking the fridge", which refers to a scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull where Indiana Jones survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator.

Related Pages

• Happy Days
• Fonzie
• Television series
• Cultural idioms