Television jumps the shark

It’s September 20, 1977 and history is about to be made. “Happy Days,” the beloved American television powerhouse is about to jump the shark. Literally.

The Fonze would proceed to water-ski (in his leather jacket mind you) and jump over a shark kept in a holding pen. It only got worse from there.

The phrase “jump the shark,” coined because of this episode, refers to the exact moment when you know a television series has been on too long and is now trying too hard to justify it’s existence.

Most shows do jump the shark at some point. This is a huge topic of concern on the Internet and the best place to discuss and research the jumping of very sharks by pretty much every TV show is www.jumptheshark.com.

This site boasts a massive database of television programs. Users can search the list of shows and vote and comment on those episodes that made you lose faith in your favorite show.

As a guy who watches way more TV than I probably should, I enjoy this site, The shear amount of information available. I love to peruse the different episodes listed as when my favorite show went down the tube and think how sad it is that I remember most of what they’re talking about.

So if you watch TV, or like to argue and especially if you love to argue about TV, check of www.jumptheshark.com.

Now if you’ll excuse me for a minute, I have a shark to jump over.

Steve Shinney is a junior majoring in computer science. Comments can be sent to

steveshinney@cc.usu.edu.