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[[caption-width-right:315:The [[VisualPun distinctive pattern]] often becomes noticeable only in hindsight.]]

->Let me make one thing ''perfectly clear'': this is ''not'' jumping the shark. I'll repeat that again. This is '''not''' jumping the shark. Oh, no, no, no, no. This is jumping the shark, coming back, shooting it in the ''balls, raping it, EATING ITS FLESH, CONSUMING ITS SOUL, MOUNTING ITS HEAD ON THE WALL,'' '''''AND THEN DOING THE SAME THING TO TWELVE MORE FUCKING SHARKS JUST TO BE SAFE!'''''
--> -- '''WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic''', on seeing the Rock Biter singing "Born to be Wild" in ''Film/TheNeverendingStory 3''.


The moment when an established TV show changes in a significant manner [[WereStillRelevantDammit in an attempt to stay fresh]]. Ironically, that moment makes the viewers realize that the show's finally run out of ideas. It's reached its peak, it'll never be the same again, and from now on it's all downhill.

This expression originates from the episode of ''HappyDays'' in which Fonzie, dressed in his trademark leather jacket, literally jumps over a shark on water-skis during an episode shot on location.

Some examples of clues which may (although by no means necessarily) indicate that a show's made the "jump":

'''Cast Changes'''
* A [[EnsembleDarkhorse popular character]] is [[PutOnABus removed from the show]], or even {{killed off| for real}}. Especially true if the method of removal is [[DeathIsDramatic unsatisfying]] or [[DroppedABridgeOnHim mean-spirited]].
* The writers pen a [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replacement character]] who [[ReplacementScrappy isn't as compelling]] as the one who left.
* A [[CousinOliver new character]] is introduced who [[TheScrappy earns the hatred of the fandom]] for whatever reason.
* In cases where RealLifeWritesThePlot, when the actor playing a character core to the show's success dies and a decision is made to [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim also kill off the actor's character]]. This will often force hasty, if not awkward changes to a program that gets, at best, lukewarm acceptance from the audience.
* TheOtherDarrin: Same Character, Different Actor.
** And sometimes, as with the SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute, Different Actor, Different Character, Same Archetype.

'''Character Development'''
* TheScrappy is given more spotlight and screentime, which sometimes [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap exonerates him through character development]], but more often turns him into a CreatorsPet.
* An existing character evolves in a way that [[{{Flanderization}} flattens rather than enriches them]], or which [[CharacterDerailment contradicts prior depictions of said character]]. This can have the effect of alienating fans.
* The OfficialCouple resolves their UnresolvedSexualTension too early and [[ShippingBedDeath shippers start to lose interest in the show]].

'''Plot Development'''
* The show's premise is [[{{Retool}} radically altered]], such as having the characters change careers or move to a new location.
* Conversely, the show (which is supposedly based on a coherent story arc rather than a series of episodic events) [[ArcFatigue drags on too long without any sort of progress or resolution]]. May be the result of too much {{filler}} or overreliance on FailureIsTheOnlyOption. If the plot is based on a MythArc, dragging it out too long or [[KudzuPlot piling plot thread upon plot thread]] without resolution may lead to fans getting the impression that [[TheChrisCarterEffect the writers are just making it up as they go along]] and subsequently tuning out.
* The show experiences MoodWhiplash in an unbelievable manner, typically a result of ExecutiveMeddling wanting to make the show DarkerAndEdgier or LighterAndSofter. A jarring rise in the SlidingScaleOfVillainThreat, unless it's written well and/or used for comedic purposes, such as a BigBad trying to take over the local 7-11 being usurped by one bent on destroying the galaxy.
* One of the writers [[WriterOnBoard puts too much of him/herself into the show]], to its detriment. S/he may use it as a pulpit to [[AuthorTract preach their personal beliefs]] in a [[{{Anvilicious}} heavy-handed manner]], or to display [[AuthorAppeal personal kinks]] which {{Squick}} the audience out. Common results include AuthorFilibuster, drastically increased sightings of {{Strawman Political}}s, and GoingCosmic.
* A baby is [[CompetenceZone added to an otherwise-adult cast]], resulting in ill-suited addition of childish themes and [[CutenessProximity endless babytalk]] from characters who were once intelligent-speaking adults fatally altering the character dynamic.
* The plot is resolved with one too many plot twists which are [[ShockingSwerve inconsistent with the overall narrative]], [[AssPull poorly executed]], or are just plain stupid, turning the audience away.
* A show's MomentOfAwesome—in the sense that the show never lives up to said moment again, despite trying.
* The OfficialCouple (or BetaCouple) [[YoYoPlotPoint keeps breaking up and getting back together]], to the point where it just aggravates not only the characters but the audience as well.
* The plotlines and subplots become [[StrictlyFormula too formulaic]]. (e.g. MonsterOfTheWeek, NegativeSpaceWedgie, etc.)
* The storylines, character dynamics, etc. are so farfetched or over-the-top that they stretch the audience's WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief ''way'' beyond its limits.
* Too much (or in some rare cases not enough) {{Padding}}, especially true if "No, really, ItGetsBetter!" The audience is likely to [[ArcFatigue grow]] [[EndingFatigue impatient]] [[FirstLawOfMetafictionalThermodynamics and give up]].

'''Gimmicks'''
* The show starts relying too much on [[SpecialGuest "special guest stars"]] (especially if they're celebrities playing themselves) which wreck the verisimilitude of the show.
* Graphical gimmicks such as [[ConspicuousCG 3D]] are used to shore up failing character development.
* TheMovie of the series is released, after which the creativity level of the actual show starts to wane.
* A major plot point is [[YoYoPlotpoint apparently resolved only to be immediately unresolved—over and over again]].
* The show moves the existing cast to a new setting.
* For games, a ScrappyMechanic is introduced that changes the balance that made the older games fun.
* A particular gimmick or recurring joke that becomes endearing or otherwise perceived to be core to the show's appeal is dropped, either with or without explanation.
* The show keeps saying how awesome something is, but doesn't actually let you know why (e.g., the characters are promoted to a higher rank, only to get less gadgets and fight even weaker villains).
* They do a musical episode or ''worse'', a ClipShow.

Generally caused by ExecutiveMeddling and/or being ScrewedByTheNetwork. Too many shark-jumping moments in a row can spell SeasonalRot.

Garry Marshall has tirelessly reminded us that ''Happy Days'' went on for a number of years after the original shark jump, misunderstanding a phrase that judges suckiness, not success. Henry Winkler has elsewhere commented that he's happy with the popularity of the phrase, as its usage in a magazine is often accompanied by a photo of him during a time in his life when he had great legs. The writer of the ''Happy Days'' episode has also [[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-jump-the-shark-20100903,0,6800871.story written in the moment's defense]]. (interestingly, the majority of the examples/criteria listed above involving some sort of ongoing/permanent change to a series outnumber those related to a single moment, such as Fonzie's shark jump).

Contrast GrowingTheBeard, WinTheCrowd. For a related phenomenon, see FranchiseOriginalSin. When it's whole networks instead of just shows, see NetworkDecay; for print magazines, see MagazineDecay.

When the people start claiming something's a shark jumping moment ''immediately'' after it happens, see DarthWiki/RuinedFOREVER.

[[http://www.jumptheshark.com JumpTheShark.com]] used to be run by writer Jon Hein (who now works as part of ''Radio/TheHowardSternShow''), who coined the term with his friends in the mid-1980s. Maintained an ongoing list of series killing moments (granted, you could vote for ''every'' cause, and shows commonly had "Day One" as an option). The website listed actor TedMcGinley as their "patron saint", as he has the most television roles in which the series slowly died off after his first appearance (one of them, appropriately enough, being ''Happy Days''). The longest-lasting show with [=McGinley=] in a starring role was ''MarriedWithChildren'', where he went for seven seasons after replacing David Garrison (Steve Rhoades). Ironically, [[NetworkDecay the site itself jumped the shark in January 2009]], when it was merged into the ''TV Guide'' website, had its content removed along with the voting system, and became a blog by writer Erin Fox - now it's nothing but a redirect to TVGuide.com ([[http://www.bonethefish.com/ BoneTheFish.com]] is one website that bills itself as a successor to the "old" [=JumpTheShark.com=]).

There is some [[http://io9.com/5176061/how-does-shark+jumping-really-affect-audience-numbers evidence]] that jumping the shark has no real effect on a show's success. This depends on one's definition; a strict shark-jump by definition sets the tone that eventually causes viewers to stop watching, whereas the softer definition used in the article walks the line between this trope and DarthWiki/RuinedForever. Take the TropeNamer, ''Happy Days'': the moment happened in Season 5, viewers stuck around for one more season, then got sick of the show's new tone (which, in hindsight, started with Fonzie jumping the shark) and left. In the original case, the moment was less "Ruined FOREVER" and more "I hope they don't do more of that" (which they did).

Has nothing to do with the DiscoveryChannel's Shark Week ''Air Jaws'' specials, or [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/03/man-rides-shark-jump-boat_n_917444.html tales of people]] [[PowerupMount actually riding them]].

There are too many real life examples to list here, and it is probably the most subjective article we have, [[NoRealLifeExamplesPlease so we are not listing any]]. It is guaranteed that any show of sufficient length (more than two or three seasons) will vary in quality and thus [[FlameBait all it does is start arguments]]. This page lists overt {{lampshade|Hanging}}s of the phrase instead, preferably self-deprecating ones.
[[noreallife]]
----
!!InUniverseExamplesOnly (which allows references to the term):

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable'' #151 is titled "Jump the Shark". It features [[spoiler:Gary Jackson coming BackFromTheDead.]] On their back page jokes section many issues back, normally consisting of fan submitted jokes, they themselves put together a list of examples of what would be jumping the shark for their comic and the above example was included on the list of possibilities. According to the writers though, the plans to [[spoiler:bring Gary Jackson back]] were in the works before this list was published, making this a TakeThatMe. Now we'll have to see if the {{UST}} between Brian and Sara is resolved (if it's even a two way street).
* ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'' issue 67 is titled "Jump The Shark", as it's the second half of the BodySwap storyline between Spidey and Wolverine, a two-part BreatherEpisode following the very bleak Carnage story. To boot, both issues opened with a mini-comic of Bendis apologizing to the reader and engaging in a lot of SelfDeprecation. "Even I couldn't milk three issues out of ''this''..."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Fics]]
* In ''Fanfic/LightAndDarkTheAdventuresOfDarkYagami'', this is referenced and lampshaded during a boat chase. "They did a bunch of jumps over a wall and a cruise boat but missed some sharks and didn't jump them (ITS AN INTERNET THINGY)".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In the ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' episode "Motherboy XXX", Barry Zuckercorn (played by Henry Winkler, Fonzie himself) visits Buster on a dock, where his hand has been eaten by a seal. On his way to make a ProductPlacement for Burger King, he is forced to physically jump over the shark.
* In the self-referential 200th episode of ''Series/StargateSG1'', Marty responds to the suggestion of doing the ''[[ShowWithinAShow Wormhole X-Treme!]]'' [[TheMovie movie]] with ''{{Thunderbirds}}''-style puppets by sarcastically suggesting that they have Puppet O'Neill jump over a puppet shark on a scale motorcycle.
* ''Series/ThirtyRock'': in the episode "The One With the Cast of NightCourt", Jenna Maroney was blamed by Harry Anderson, Markie Post, and Charles Johnson for making ''NightCourt'' "jump the shark" for her three part episode as werewolf lawyer Sparky Monroe.
-->'''Harry:''' ''You'' made us jump the shark! You're the reason we didn't have a tenth season!\\
'''Markie:''' I had just bought my second home when they brought that idiot werewolf lawyer in!\\
'''Jenna:''' ''(insulted)'' Uh, that "idiot werewolf" paid for my hand reduction surgery, okay?
* The fifth-season premiere of ''Series/{{Reno911}}'', entitled "Jumping the Shark", featured Lt. Dangle actually attempting to jump over a normal fish tank containing a small shark. Naturally, he doesn't quite make it over, and HilarityEnsues. Incidentally, it was the first new episode to be aired after the release of TheMovie, which can also be a major shark-jumping point for some shows.
* An episode of ''Series/That70sShow'' in which Fez, imagining how cool it would be to be the Fonzie, has a daydream of himself performing the original jump. Hyde comments that this was the worst moment in television history, and Fez confesses that he stopped watching the show after that. It's interesting, because [[AnachronismStew this is more of a modern perspective rather than one commonly held at the time it aired]]... like pretty much everything on ''That '70s Show''.
* In the last episode of ''BostonLegal'' after [[spoiler:Alan accepts Denny's proposal of marriage]] Denny says "It'll be great! Like jumping a shark!"
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
** An episode featured a kid who is believed to be the third Winchester brother. The name of the episode? [[LampshadeHanging Jump the Shark]]. Oh yeah, and the diner where they meet the kid? CousinOliver's. Complete with a poster advertising "Fonzarelli's Water Skiing Event".
** Referenced again at the end of the episode "The Real Ghostbusters".
--> '''Chuck''': It's not jumping the shark if you ''[[BadassBoast never come down]]''.
* One episode of ''Series/{{House}}'' had House, bored out of his skull during clinic duty, constructing a racetrack from medical tape, tongue depressors, and cards. At the end of the track is a ramp, and under the ramp? A shark. Cuddy catches the car in midair, before it reaches the shark. Whew...
* An episode in ''Series/{{The X-Files}}'' is titled "Jump the Shark". In it, TheLoneGunmen--the quirky trio of conspiracy theorists that had lasted the show's entire run and gotten their own failed spin off--end up thwarting a terrorist's plot to use a neurotoxin made from sharks (somehow). [[spoiler:Unfortunately, they died in the process.]]
* ''NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide'' has an episode about making and taking dares that incorporates one character jumping a bicycle over a tank with a shark in it.
* In the ''PushingDaisies'' (somewhat rushed) finale, the VictimOfTheWeek was killed by accidentally ''leaping into the mouth of a shark''. LampshadeHanging? You decide!
* The ''TrailerParkBoys'' episode "Jump the Cheeseburger".
* ''WebSoup'' host Chris Hardwick used this phrase when a video in their [[BrainBleach Things You Can't Un-See]] segment was legitimately disgusting and [[NauseaFuel nauseating]]. [[spoiler:It was a gaping foot wound, which was crawling with live maggots.]]
* The upcoming second season premier of Disney's ''ZekeAndLuther'', "Zeke Jumps the Shark", promises to be ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
* ''Series/{{Community}}'' Season Finale: Troy wants to move in with Abed, but genre savvy Abed says their friendship would jump the shark if they did. Troy responds saying when Fonzie literally jumped the shark, it was the best episode ever.
* ''Series/AttackOfTheShow'' did a parody of Discovery Channel's Shark Week with their own jump the shark week, where each day they would jump the shark in classic fashion. Methods included being attacked by a cougar a la 24, having a ''{{Dallas}}'' style murder mystery, having a CousinOliver show up, and having an evil twin a la ''Series/KnightRider''.
* ''[[Series/{{Wipeout2008}} Wipeout]]'' couldn't resist mentioning the trope; an episode featured an elimination game called "Jump The Shark", where players had to, well, jump over a spinning shark.
* In the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' episode ''Smile Time'', the owner of the titular puppet show made a deal with demons to keep his show on the air when it was losing ratings. Unfortunately, he neglected to read the fine print. While the term "jump the shark" is never actually used, Gunn's research reveals that this has happened before - "You see the last few seasons of Happy Days?"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* Music/WeirdAlYankovic's song "Couch Potato" contains the line "And KingOfQueens jumped the shark the first minute/I can't believe RichardSimmons ain't in it".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''MaidRPG'' specifically lampshades this for one of its example games, which due to player twinkery went completely and irretrievably OffTheRails ([[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial which, of course]], [[BlatantLies never happens in real sessions]]). After Yugami, Kamiya, and Hizumi manage to derail the game into something resembling ''FistOfTheNorthStar'':
-->'''Hizumi:''' See this? This is a shark. And here I am jumping over it. I'm jumping over a shark here. Shark? Jumping. Over.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' contains a [[http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Shark_jumper certain item]], equipped in the torso slot, which drops from a shark. As usual, the item description contains several "examples of what plot elements may cause or be symptomatic of jumping the shark."
--> Still, you can wear it around your [[CousinOliver adorable new baby cousin]], or to [[WeddingDay the wedding that dissipates all the interesting romantic tension in your life]]. Or you can put it on [[TheOtherDarrin the new person cast to play your best friend]], or wear it to your [[NewJobEpisode new job in another part of the city]], or during [[TheWildWest the Old West]] [[LampshadeHanging flashback episode of your life]].
* In ''[[VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater Tony Hawk's American Wasteland]]'', one of the missions involves feeding imbecelic oil rig worker Mega's pet shark, Fonzie. ''That'' involves jumping over him on your board for some reason. Keep in mind that Mega's the kind of guy to name a shark Fonzie unironically, completely unaware of it meaning anything deeper than "That guy on that show I watched when I was like five. He was cool. ''Ayyyyy!''"
* In ''[[http://www.videlectrix.com/hallrunner.html Hallrunner]]'', a game on the Videlectrix website (a gaming website hosted by the creators of WebAnimation/HomestarRunner), the object of the game is to make your way through various obstacles while running down a [[NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom neverending hallway]]. Upon coming to each obstacle, the player has the option of talking to it, fighting it, or jumping it. If the player chooses "jump" when the obstacle is a shark, he gets the response "You jump the shark. Just like [[SelfDeprecation homestarrunner.com]]."
* In ''Skate 3'', the player attempts to jump over a statue of a shark in the opening cinematic. He fails, which is a setup for you to use plastic surgery to create your character. You can jump it in the actual game.
* ''JumpMan Zero'' has a level called "Jump The Shark", which is basically a big underwater room with a shark in it.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' has a trophy titled "Jumping the Shark", which you can get for destroying 10 Hammerhead enemies in the game.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' has a daily quest in Krasarang Wilds called Jumping the Shark. In which your character, with his or her bare hands, jumps on a shark and beats the daylights out of it. This is far from the most outlandish thing most characters have done by this point.
* ''VideoGame/FarCry3BloodDragon'' features a scene where Rex launches a car over a shark...well, a {{Sharktopus}}, to be more exact. HUD even describes the objective as simply "Jump the shark".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* LampshadeHanging on it in [[http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_513.php this]] strip of ''DanAndMabsFurryAdventures''.
* In ''[[http://bitmapworld.com/comic/issue72/?wptheme=InkBlot2 Bitmap World]]'', the phrase is used to indicate its very silly and literal meaning. The creators insist that this does not mean their relatively new strip (at the time of publication) is headed in that direction.
* In ''BrunoTheBandit'', the protagonist literally has to [[http://www.brunothebandit.com/w/20030331.html jump a shark]], to be more successful getting readers.
* In Calamities of Nature a [[http://calamitiesofnature.com/archive/?c=367 direct reference to Happy Days]] is made when jumping the shark.
* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' uses a gag about [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2005-04-02 a shark tank and a motorcycle ramp]] as a promise that even though the strip's invoking TimeTravel as a ResetButton, it's just this once and that's not what it's going to be all about from now on.
* The [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0542.html 542nd strip]] of ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' is named "[[RussianReversal In Azure City, Shark Jumps You!]]". In addition to the obvious RussianReversal, this is also an actual description of the strip's contents.
* ''{{Melonpool}}'', after a decade of time-travel history-changing shenanigans, had gotten so convoluted that the author decided on a massive retcon, whose fuzzy science rationale actually had the acronym [[http://www.melonpool.com/d/20051102.html Jump the S.H.A.R.K.]].
* ''IrregularWebcomic'' addressed JumpingTheShark (both literally and figuratively) in a arc starting [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/993.html here]].
* Clip-art web comic ''PartiallyClips'' {{lampshades}} its own potential shark-jumping [[http://www.partiallyclips.com/index.php?id=1091 here]].
* A ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'' strip features a shark tank, but [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1100/fv01080.htm warns people away from jumping over it.]]
* In ''AbsurdNotions'', several years in, the characters buy an aquarium and get a pet Bala shark. They decide that, given that they introduced the shark as a new character to breathe new life into their lives, which had gotten boring, [[http://www.absurdnotions.org/page119.html the only honest name to give the shark was]] "[[LampshadeHanging Jump]]".
* This and the CousinOliver trope gets referenced in [[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp01242009.shtml this]] ''SomethingPositive'' strip where the writers for Monette's show discuss future plots.
* Gordito in ''WebComic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' literally [[http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/11p24 jumped over a winged, flying shark]]. The alt-text defended the move with "Look, it was the only way he could dodge it". Of course, by Dr. [=McNinja=] standards this isn't that unusual an event.
* Heywood in ''MynarskiForest'' replicated the Fonz's jump, in the strip's background, in mocking recognition that the comic had just had two stories in a row turn out to be AllJustADream.
* ''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'' has [[http://xkcd.com/460/ this]] comic's AltText of "Dinosaurs totally jumped the ichthyosaur when they got rid of the brontosaurus."
* ''BobTheAngryFlower'' [[http://www.angryflower.com/jumpsh.html ramps a shark on a motorcycle]]. [[UpToEleven Into space]].
* In ''UnwindersTallComics'', Unwinder laments the decline of his former favorite webcomic:
-->'''Unwinder:''' ''Nutflix''? Oh goll, Mildred, that comic basically jumped the whale shark. THE LARGEST SHARK ON EARTH.
* [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2009/11/12/0111-shark-jumped-the-woo/ Inverted, but taken literally]] in ''Webcomic/SandraAndWoo''.
* In the end-of-chapter commentary strips by two minor characters of ErrantStory, one of them carries waterski's and announces she'll try to jump a great white, [[http://www.errantstory.com/2010-05-28/4823 prompting the other to note that the writer just did that.]] The immediate [[http://www.errantstory.com/2010-05-31/4824 followup]] was an amusing subversion of JTS, too.
* Commissioned officially announced it [[http://www.commissionedcomic.com/?p=1873 jumped the zombie]] on November 18th, 2009.
* Mentioned by name in ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'' strip number 951, when Faye finally stops being even the least bit curious about Pintsize's antics.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* The ''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation'' review for "LEGO Indiana Jones" was the first to [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks feature a new opening video]] and [[SoundtrackDissonance hardcore metal theme song]], as opposed to the ([[DigitalPiracyIsEvil copyrighted]]) SuspiciouslyAproposMusic of previous shorts. In his sign-off bit of snark, Yahtzee predicts oodles of e-mails predicting this as "his shark jumping moment".
* In a similar fashion, episode 15 of ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'' had this exchange at the end:
-->'''Joey:''' Man, that duel was really boring. It was like [[SelfDeprecation waiting for LittleKuriboh to make a new video]].\\
'''Tristan:''' [[UnpleasableFanbase Let's complain about it!]]\\
Cue WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes end-of-show fanfare and the credits-snark going "i think i just jumped the shark..."
* As the entire thing is a ShoutOut to ''Series/HappyDays'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3DHdIMMa9g This Oxhorn WoW Machinima]] has a character literally jump a shark... and shoot it in the same motion.
* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic refers to it on occasion:
** In the ''RockyIV'' review, where a completely ridiculous robot that drives in is introduced as the Shark-Jumper 5000, and the introduction of GameBoy in the commentary for the ''WesternAnimation/CaptainNTheGameMaster'' review.
** Mentioned twice in the ''Film/IndependenceDay'' review, although he didn't think the movie was good in the first place, so he was likely confusing the term for a Wall Banger.
** Mentioned with a whole rant about how much the shark is abused in the review of ''[[Film/TheNeverendingStory The Neverending Story III]]'', when the Rock Biter rode a bike, singing "Born to be Wild". Although since he made it clear the series went downhill with the second movie, this again was misusing the term. Then again, there is no accurate fan speak term for that moment popular enough for him to rant that way about it, so it slides by with RuleOfFunny.
* ''BonusStage:'' Joel exclaims "Come quick! We're about to travel over Shark World! I don't know why we haven't done this already." In another episode, Joel states that there are "some sharks [he] refuses to jump".
* The title card at the end of the first episode of ''MaddMan'' reads "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Jumped The Shark On The First Episode"
* ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay''. After making two episodes independently, they were picked up by the Machinima Youtube channel. They referenced this "selling out" in their next video, ''DonkeyKongCountryReturns'', by having Kong physically jump over a shark enemy.
-->'''Matt:''' Jump the shark! Jump the shark!\\
'''Pat:''' I don't wanna jump the shark! ...Aw, we jumped it.
* {{Invoked}} and {{parodied}} in the episode [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5HWzwa3KOo&feature=autoplay&list=ULrg8jISMx4dk&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=1 ''Trollin' '']] of the AnnoyingOrange
* [[http://askudonge.tumblr.com/post/17637868580 This post]] in the fan-made ''[[http://askudonge.tumblr.com Just a Useless Bunny]]'' ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' Ask Blog parodies the common changes done by ExecutiveMeddling that often lead to this, complete with a final panel of Reisen water skiing over a shark.
* From RedLetterMedia:
-->'''Mr. Plinkett:''' I don't jump sharks, [[BadassBoast I fuck them for breakfast]].
* Upon Bardock realizing he's gone into the past in the Episode of Bardock special of ''DragonBallAbridged'':
-->'''Bardock:''' OF ALL THE STUPID! [{{Headdesk}}s the ground] ASININE! [punches the ground] SHARK JUMPING BULLSHIT! [headdesks again, [[spoiler: goes Super Saiyan]]]
* Parodied in one of ''[[CollegeHumor College Humor's]]'' NextTimeOn ''Bear Shark'' segments in which the shark jumps a pen full of Fonzies while on water skis. [[spoiler: [[NeverTrustATrailer The sequence doesn't actually appear in the next episode at all.]] ]]
** Another sketch took the concept UpToEleven in "[[CaptainObvious Jump The Shark]]": [[UpToEleven A new SpinOff is introduced]], TonyHawk [[CelebrityStar appears as a Guest Star]], [[WillTheyOrWontThey two characters get engaged]], [[UpToEleven they move to a new building, Amir gets]] [[TheOtherDarrin replaced]], and [[MindScrew Jeff gives birth to]] [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext a baby Supreme Court justice]]. Finally, the whole cast gets replaced at the very end with a [[YoungerAndHipper younger cast]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sealab 2021}}'': "Sharko's Machine": Sharko (A CousinOliver parody who is Marco's half-shark illegitimate son) is seen jumping over several Fonzies during an absurd HardWorkMontage.
* ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'':
** "Sweet Stench of Success", when Bloo becomes an advertising icon who gets his own sitcom spinoff. The preview after the very first episode is "tune in next week when Deo jumps a shark!"
** In the final episode, "Goodbye to Bloo", Bloo thinks Mac is moving away forever, and tries to come up with something big they can do for their last day together. After Mac shoots down several of his suggestions as things they have already done before (they are in fact [[ContinuityNod references to the plots of previous episodes]]), Bloo decides that the only thing left to do is to JumpTheShark. Unable to find a shark in time, he settles for walking over a fish with a paper fin on a bowl.
* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' addresses thoughts on jumping the shark, by hanging up on Ron when he brings it up. [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3387428/1/Kim_vs_Donzie This Fanfiction]] takes the idea a bit further, parodying Happy Days and then [[spoiler:revealing it all as just a dream.]]
** Also a ShowWithinAShow example, is where they [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall lean on the fourth wall]] about a couple on the show, claiming if they got together the show would practically end. A reference to the soon pairing of Kim and Ron.
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' had Dora use Jump Star to "jump the shark".
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Squidbillies}}'' shown Rusty watching a TV show in a dramatic way, showing a Mailman delivering mail into a mailbox. What is worth a mention in this article is Early commenting on the show with the trope name.
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'' where the gang goes to the set of an action film, the director ends up modifying the script to have Scooby and Shaggy launch on a motorcycle over a tank of sharks. Velma remarks, "[[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Never thought I'd see Scooby-Doo jump the shark]]."
* One "Previously On" for a two-part episode of ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' had scenes of Fonzie about to jump a shark cut in. Then when he makes the jump, he gets eaten, seeming to say "Not yet, viewers".
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'' "In-Des-Tuck-Able" serves as the final episode where Tuck is performing a series of dangerous stunts including riding a motorcycle over a SharkPool. Brad provides the lampshading. ''"Once you jump the shark, the show is over."''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Lampooned this trope by showing an episode where Bart buys a race horse (Lisa already did that), Lisa notices Marge's gambling problem (we already know that) and adds an improbable twist that horse jockeys are elves in disguise (complete with schlocky musical number). ''{{Lampshade|Hanging}}d'' by Comic Book Guy when he is seen wearing a "Worst Episode Ever" shirt.
** Also made more direct references: One CouchGag had the family do it to land on the couch, only for Homer to lose both legs. Additionally, one of the ClipShow episodes featured a song lampshading both clip shows and the sort of absurd plots that normally constitute a shark jump, [[http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/firewaller/Trolls/homer-jump-shark.jpg complete with a still image of Homer on waterskis]].
-->'''Troy [=McClure=]:''' That's it for our spinoff showcase. But what about the show that started it all? How do you keep "The Simpsons" fresh and funny after eight long years? Well, here's what's on tap for season nine: Magic powers! Wedding after wedding after wedding. And did someone say, "long-lost triplets?" So join America's favorite TV family, and [[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones a tiny green space alien named Ozmodiar that only Homer can see]], on FOX this fall. It'll be out of this world! Right, Ozmodiar?
-->'''Ozmodiar:''' Damn straight, Troy my man!
** In the second season, motorcycle daredevil Lance Murdoch literally jumped over a shark (and a few other animals besides).
* During the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' episode where the Titans chased Control Freak into [[TrappedInTVLand TV land]], Robin finds himself on some kind of action challenge show being forced by a [[Series/CrocodileHunter suspiciously familiar looking host with a funny accent]] to waterski off a ramp, at which point a shark leaps out of the water underneath him.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents'':
** A CutSong from TheMovie ''[[TrappedInTVLand Channel Chasers]]" had Timmy jumping a shark with a guy who looked a lot like The Fonz.
** Also in the later episode that introduces Wanda's twin sister Blonda, the B-plot of the episode consists of Timmy doing various "EXTREEEEEME!!" stunts. The very first stunt was him rocketskating over a shark tank.
* ''WesternAnimation/FanboyAndChumChum'' referenced jumping the shark during the episode "Total Recall". One of the shows they liked had the title character, an octopus spy named Agent 8 jump a shark. [[InvertedTrope They found the show got better after]].
* Dante and Randal in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Clerks}}'' series reminisce about the iconic scene from ''Series/HappyDays'', except in their recollection, the shark came back and ate [[Film/DeepBlueSea Samuel L. Jackson]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' the Monarch references this trope regarding henchmen. You say "jump" they say "what shark".
* The series finale of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' is '''all about''' this trope. Bat-Mite, tired of the show's formula, conspires to get it cancelled by inflicting several classic shark jumps. The list includes giving Batman [[OfficialCouple a love interest]] and [[CousinOliver sickeningly cute daughter]], [[MerchandiseDriven inserting obvious toy tie-ins]], [[TheOtherDarrin changing Aquaman's voice actor]] (to Ted [=McGinley=], no less), giving Ace the Bat-Hound [[TheScrappy a very familiar nephew]], [[{{Retool}} moving the show to Malibu]], and finally [[CharacterDerailment making Batman use guns]]. AmbushBug (voiced by Henry Winkler) tries to stop him by telling Batman [[MediumAwareness that they're in a TV show]] and if they don't get back to normal fast, declining viewership will destroy their world. [[spoiler:They fix everything, but by then the show's already been canceled. The series ends with a giant wrap party where Batman tells the viewers that he'll always be around to fight evil, but for now this is goodbye.]]
* TeamUmizoomi has an unusual variation where a shark jumps with the Team.
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