jump the shark

Definition

Of television program or other narrative, to undergo a storyline development which heralds a fundamental and generally disappointing change in direction.

Etymology

From Hollywood (Part 3), an episode in 1977 during the fifth season of the American television series Happy Days, in which the character Fonzie jumped over a shark on waterskis. The expression argues that it was at this point that the show bore no similarity to its original form.

Example Sentences

• "Happy Days infamously jumped the shark when Fonzie literally jumped a shark on water skis. I Love Lucy jumped the shark when Lucy and Ricky moved to the suburbs. The Brady Bunch jumped the shark when Cousin Oliver moved in."
• "From that point on, Dallas was never the same. It hit its peak. It lost credibility. It jumped the shark."
• "Returning show everyone will say has jumped the shark: "House.""