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11/15/2003 Archived Entry: "Jumping The Shark"

A healthly curious coworker of mine introduced me to a nifty expression, "Jumping the shark". It seems that there were attempts by script writers of "Happy Days" to bouy failing ratings by turning up the outrageousness. A key example of this being a scene of The Fonz waterskiing and jumping a shark. Sadly, I do not recall seeing this episode.

While I am amused by absurdity, "Jumping the shark" really is a sad thing like a vain child desparate for attention. The more I've reflected on it, the more I think that "Jumping the shark" is now almost the normal thing to do. We don't notice the shark jumping because that's the bulk of some shows.

How much of the Comedy Central is shark jumping? It's not 100% but there is a constant background noise of overreaching and sometimes pathetic attempts to lure viewers. Nothing to be ashamed of -- tastless sideshows have been a money making enterprise for much of history. Just don't expect any respect.

I sometimes think that gratuitous special effects are a bit like shark jumping. While movies these days often have great opening weekends, they drop fast in the following weeks. Even some movies raved about at first, in retropect seems sort of gimmicky. Remember the Blair Witch? Of course The Blair Witch Project was cursed by Marilyn Manson in a terrible sequel.

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