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'''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease This is one of the most subjective articles on the site, and it's likely to [[FlameBait start arguments]]. In any event, almost any show that's at least three seasons long will have enough variations in quality that you can point to some moment as "jumping the shark". This page only lists overt references to the term or {{lampshade|d}}s of the phenomenon. Most will [[SelfDeprecating not be kind]].'''

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'''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease This is one of the most subjective articles on the site, and it's likely to [[FlameBait start arguments]].arguments]] or [[Administrivia/ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontLike complaining]]. In any event, almost any show that's at least three seasons long will have enough variations in quality that you can point to some moment as "jumping the shark". This page only lists overt references to the term or {{lampshade|d}}s of the phenomenon. Most will [[SelfDeprecating not be kind]].'''
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Spelling/grammar fix(es)


->''There is an episode of ''Series/HappyDays'' in which Fonzie ''literally'' jumped over a shark on water skis dressed in his signature leather jacket. In the world of sitcom TV, "jumping the shark" is now used metaphorically to signal the beginning of the end, the moment after which a television show has passed its prime -- whatever made the show special is now increasingly hard to capture. The problems is you don't know it at the time -- you always feel you can rekindle the magic.''

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->''There is an episode of ''Series/HappyDays'' in which Fonzie ''literally'' jumped over a shark on water skis dressed in his signature leather jacket. In the world of sitcom TV, "jumping the shark" is now used metaphorically to signal the beginning of the end, the moment after which a television show has passed its prime -- whatever made the show special is now increasingly hard to capture. The problems problem is you don't know it at the time -- you always feel you can rekindle the magic.''
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* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Fillmore}}'' episode "The Unseen Reflection" invokes this as the culprit's motivation. [[spoiler:''Vampirita'' superfan Terri got her hands on an advanced copy of the newest book from her cousin in the publishing industry and discovered it was absolutely horrible. The title character suddenly betrays her allies because she's now dating her "sworn, genetic ArchEnemy" in a way that was never built up or hinted in the previous 22 books. Because she'd been sworn to secrecy on getting the book in advance, Terri couldn't worn her best friend Torrey so she discretely sabotaged their entries for a contest to be included as characters in the next book. [=TQ=], a fan of the rival series ''Citizen Fang'', read a single page of the advanced copy and stated it was horrible even for a ''Vampirita'' book. The series author admits she halfassed the book by completing the entire thing on a single plane trip to Milan, and by now has only been continuing ''Vampirita'' for her paychecks and due to her contract.]]

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* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Fillmore}}'' episode "The Unseen Reflection" invokes this as the culprit's motivation. [[spoiler:''Vampirita'' superfan Terri got her hands on an advanced copy of the newest book from her cousin in the publishing industry and discovered it was absolutely horrible. The title character suddenly betrays her allies because she's now dating her "sworn, genetic ArchEnemy" in a way that was never built up or hinted in the previous 22 books. Because she'd been sworn to secrecy on getting the book in advance, Terri couldn't worn warn her best friend Torrey so she discretely sabotaged their entries for a contest to be included as characters in the next book. [=TQ=], a fan of the rival series ''Citizen Fang'', read a single page of the advanced copy and stated it was horrible even for a ''Vampirita'' book. The series author admits she halfassed the book by completing the entire thing on a single plane trip to Milan, and by now has only been continuing ''Vampirita'' for her paychecks and due to her contract.]]
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* ''VideoGame/FearAndHungerTermina'': [[IntrepidReporter Karin]] uses the phrase in a newspaper article you can potentially find, accusing the entire continent of Europa of having done so when they allowed the Bremen Empire to form a StateSec. [[AnachronismStew This is despite the game being set in 1942, 32 years before]] the premiere of ''Happy Days''.
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* The plot ''is'' resolved -- but with twists or {{retcon}}s which are inconsistent with the overall narrative, the resolution is [[AssPull poorly set up]], or the ending is just plain stupid.

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* The plot An important PlotPoint or story arc ''is'' resolved -- but with twists or {{retcon}}s which are inconsistent with the overall narrative, the resolution is [[AssPull poorly set up]], or the ending is just plain stupid.
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* Obvious lack of investment in the production. This can be an overreliance on [[StrictlyFormula the show's formula]], an abundance of {{Bottle Episode}}s, {{Recycled Script}}s, and blatant {{Series Continuity Error}}s. Alternatively, the show goes off the rails and starts getting ''really'' weird and off-beat, especially after it's [[ItsBeenDone exhausted the formula]] (like how ''Happy Days'' introduced aliens). Either way, it breaks the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

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* Obvious lack of investment in the production. This can be an overreliance on [[StrictlyFormula the show's formula]], an abundance of {{Bottle Episode}}s, {{Recycled Script}}s, and blatant {{Series Continuity Error}}s. Alternatively, the show goes off the rails and starts getting ''really'' weird and off-beat, especially after it's [[ItsBeenDone exhausted the formula]] (like how ''Happy Days'' and ''The Jetsons'' introduced aliens). Either way, it breaks the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/Bolt'', this happens to the ShowWithinAShow [[spoiler:after Penny quits. Penny's replacement comes across as a less accomplished actress, and the show is reduced to using aliens as villains -- something Rhino immediately remarks on as he turns off the television.]]

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* In ''WesternAnimation/Bolt'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Bolt}}'', this happens to the ShowWithinAShow [[spoiler:after Penny quits. Penny's replacement comes across as a less accomplished actress, and the show is reduced to using aliens as villains -- something Rhino immediately remarks on as he turns off the television.]]
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* In ''WesternAnimation/Bolt'', this happens to the ShowWithinAShow [[spoiler:after Penny quits. Penny's replacement comes across as a less accomplished actress, and the show is reduced to using aliens as villains -- something Rhino immediately remarks on as he turns off the television.]]
-->'''Dr. Calico:''' Aliens!\\
''[cut to Rhino sitting on a couch]''\\
'''Rhino:''' That is ''totally'' unrealistic.

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->''There is an episode of ''Happy Days'' in which Fonzie ''literally'' jumped over a shark on water skis dressed in his signature leather jacket. In the world of sitcom TV, "jumping the shark" is now used metaphorically to signal the beginning of the end, the moment after which a television show has passed its prime -- whatever made the show special is now increasingly hard to capture. The problems is you don't know it at the time -- you always feel you can rekindle the magic.''
-->-- '''Creator/WillSmith, in his memoir ''Will'''''




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->''There is an episode of ''Series/HappyDays'' in which Fonzie ''literally'' jumped over a shark on water skis dressed in his signature leather jacket. In the world of sitcom TV, "jumping the shark" is now used metaphorically to signal the beginning of the end, the moment after which a television show has passed its prime -- whatever made the show special is now increasingly hard to capture. The problems is you don't know it at the time -- you always feel you can rekindle the magic.''
-->-- '''Creator/WillSmith''', in his memoir ''Will''
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Adding page quote, per discussion in ATT.

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->''There is an episode of ''Happy Days'' in which Fonzie ''literally'' jumped over a shark on water skis dressed in his signature leather jacket. In the world of sitcom TV, "jumping the shark" is now used metaphorically to signal the beginning of the end, the moment after which a television show has passed its prime -- whatever made the show special is now increasingly hard to capture. The problems is you don't know it at the time -- you always feel you can rekindle the magic.''
-->-- '''Creator/WillSmith, in his memoir ''Will'''''
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sometimes it's just that


* An actor leaves and a character needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, even if it's [[RealLifeWritesThePlot not the show's fault]] (''e.g.'' when the actor dies), it's very difficult to pull off and keep the audience engaged. You basically have three options: [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim kill off the character]] (which forces a significant {{retool}} if this character was instrumental to the show's success), go with TheOtherDarrin (same character, different actor), or go with a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute (different actor, different character, same archetype).

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* An actor leaves and a character needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, even if it's [[RealLifeWritesThePlot not the show's fault]] (''e.g.'' when the actor dies), it's very difficult to pull off and keep the audience engaged. You basically have three options: [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim kill kill]] or send off the character]] character (which forces a significant {{retool}} if this character was instrumental to the show's success), go with TheOtherDarrin (same character, different actor), or go with a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute (different actor, different character, same archetype).

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[[TropeNamers The expression comes from]] an episode of the TV series ''Series/HappyDays'' in which Fonzie, dressed in his trademark leather jacket, literally jumps over a shark while on waterskis -- a sharp break from the show's previous focus on "[[SliceOfLife everyday American life]] in the [=1950s=]." In hindsight, that was the moment where Fonzie started getting more focus, being {{Flanderized}} in the process into a superhuman, impossibly 'cool' dude. In short order, he [[SpotlightStealingSquad took over the entire show]]. Even those who liked Fonzie -- [[EnsembleDarkHorse and most did]] -- had to admit that ''Happy Days'' wasn't better with him as the main lead. It wasn't even in line with Fonzie's own character development: in a landmark earlier episode, he seriously injured himself while jumping his motorcycle for a televised stunt, admitting afterward that he was stupid to be so reckless. When he jumped over a shark, Fonzie [[AesopAmnesia seemingly forgot that important lesson]], and it was the first sign that ''Happy Days'' was going to abandon its premise in an effort to stay fresh. By the time ABC canceled ''Happy Days'' in 1984, it had become [[SeasonalRot a shell of its former self]], with several of the main cast gone, and was mainly notable for launching ''Series/MorkAndMindy'' through a PoorlyDisguisedPilot episode.

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[[TropeNamers The expression comes from]] an episode of the TV series ''Series/HappyDays'' in which Fonzie, dressed in his trademark leather jacket, literally jumps over a shark while on waterskis -- a sharp break from the show's previous focus on "[[SliceOfLife everyday American life]] in the [=1950s=]." In hindsight, that was the moment where Fonzie started getting more focus, being {{Flanderized}} in the process into a superhuman, impossibly 'cool' dude. In short order, he [[SpotlightStealingSquad took over the entire show]]. Even those who liked Fonzie -- [[EnsembleDarkHorse and most did]] -- had to admit that ''Happy Days'' wasn't better with him as the main lead. It wasn't even in line with Fonzie's own character development: in a landmark earlier episode, he seriously injured himself while jumping his motorcycle for a televised stunt, admitting afterward that he was stupid to be so reckless. When he jumped over a shark, Fonzie [[AesopAmnesia seemingly forgot that important lesson]], and it was the first sign that ''Happy Days'' was going to abandon its premise in an effort to stay fresh. By the time ABC canceled ''Happy Days'' in 1984, it had become [[SeasonalRot a shell of its former self]], with several of the main original cast gone, and was mainly notable for launching ''Series/MorkAndMindy'' through a PoorlyDisguisedPilot episode.



* [[TheScrappy A generally-disliked character]] is given more focus and screentime, which sometimes [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap exonerates him through character development]], but more often turns him into a CreatorsPet. Even when the viewers like the character (e.g. the EnsembleDarkhorse), making them more prominent because [[WolverinePublicity the fans demand it]] rarely turns out well for that character ''or'' for the show.

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* [[TheScrappy A generally-disliked character]] is given more focus and screentime, which sometimes [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap exonerates him through character development]], but more often turns him into a CreatorsPet. Even when the viewers do like the character (e.g. the EnsembleDarkhorse), making them more prominent because [[WolverinePublicity the fans demand it]] rarely turns out well for that the character ''or'' for the show.



* The show's premise is [[{{Retool}} radically altered]], such as having the cast change careers or move to a new location.
** Career shifts may be plausible for some premises (e.g. a former top football quarterback can become a TV sports announcer), but if a character has worked at a SoulSuckingRetailJob at a clothes store for ten seasons, it's not credible if they become a fashion executive in Paris in season 11.
** The setting may be drastically changed to an exotic, cool locale in an implausible fashion. If a MillionairePlayboy who is a superspy/ TechBro moves to a new mansion in the French Riviera, that's plausible; but if a few roommates from FlyoverCountry with regular jobs do the same move, it's implausible.

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* The show's premise is [[{{Retool}} radically altered]], such as having the cast change careers or move to a new location.location, especially when the cast doesn't seem to have the skills (or the financial resources) for such a move. A former top football quarterback could become a TV sports announcer, but a character working a SoulSuckingRetailJob at a clothes store for ten seasons isn't suddenly going to become a fashion executive in Paris in season 11.
** Career shifts may be plausible for some premises (e.g. a former top football quarterback can become a TV sports announcer), but if a character has worked at a SoulSuckingRetailJob at a clothes store for ten seasons, it's not credible if they become a fashion executive in Paris in season 11.
** The new setting may be drastically changed to is an exotic, cool locale in an implausible fashion. locale. Again, the less the move is justified in-universe, the more likely the audience is to reject it. If a MillionairePlayboy who is a superspy/ TechBro superspy[=/=]TechBro moves to a new mansion in the French Riviera, that's plausible; but if a few four roommates from FlyoverCountry with regular jobs do the same move, it's implausible.ludicrous.
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* ''Webcomic/ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace'':
** Arthur, Merlin and Gawain discuss the concept [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1213.htm here]].
** At the start of what turned out to be the last year, the characters [[http://www.arthurkingoftim**eandspace.com/3219.htm discuss]] whether ''they've'' jumped the shark. Bors says there may have been a shark in Castle Carbonek's moat, and he, Galahad and Percival literally jumped it.
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Contrast GrowingTheBeard, when a show gets ''better'' over time (though they may sometimes overlap. See below.). For a related phenomenon, see FranchiseOriginalSin. When it's whole networks instead of just shows, see NetworkDecay; for print magazines, see MagazineDecay. When a work gets its act together and regains its fandom even after such an event, see WinBackTheCrowd and SophomoreSlump.

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Contrast GrowingTheBeard, when a show gets ''better'' over time (though they may sometimes overlap. See below.). For a related phenomenon, phenomena, see FranchiseOriginalSin.FranchiseOriginalSin and SeasonalRot. When it's whole networks instead of just shows, see NetworkDecay; for print magazines, see MagazineDecay. When a work gets its act together and regains its fandom even after such an event, see WinBackTheCrowd and SophomoreSlump.

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