In my web browsing this morning, I came across a new-to-me blog: http://wolfsonliterary.wordpress.com/ - Michelle Wolfson, Literary Agent is very funny. In yesterday's post, she was talking about Grey's Anatomy and she used the term "jumping the shark". I'd never heard it before and just kept reading. Then, when I opened up my MSN (my 'live' link to The Day Job), the pop-up window with the day's happenings showed a link to an entertainment story about TV's Sexiest Coed Crime-Fighting Duos. I was a huge fan of shows like Moonlighting, Hart to Hart and Remington Steel, so I clicked and read through the ten selections (I think they missed a few, but that's just me). Low and behold, there was the term "jumping the shark" again! I expect some time today I'll see that term again - the whole power of 3!
From TVtropes.org:
Jumping The Shark is the moment when an established show changes in a significant manner in an attempt to stay fresh. Ironically, that moment makes the viewers realize that the show has finally run out of ideas. It has reached its peak, it will never be the same again, and from now on it's all downhill.The article goes on to say that the term came from the episode of Happy Days when Fonzie literally jumped over a shark while waterskiing (funny, I don't remember that episode).
I am waiting for a library book - my account status shoes the book is number 1 in the queue. It's been number 1 in the queue for 4 days now - how long does it take to move to "It's yours"?
Tomorrow will be the second week for Weekend Words. I decided last week to do some writing exercises on the weekends. On Saturday, I'll post the exercise for any of you who want to play along (either at home or in the comment section as B.E. did). On Sunday, I'll post my 'homework'.
The only exciting thing I have on my weekend calendar is cleaning the bathrooms :(
An randomness in your life you'd like to share, People of Blogland? What's your weekend calendar looking like? Do you remember the episode where Fonzie jumped the shark? Who was (or is) your favorite crime-fighting duo (mine is a toss up between the team at Moonlighting and the team at Remington Steel...ooh, but then there's The Scarecrow and Mrs. King)?
I'm a huge Grey's Anatomy fan, but since I pretty much only watch it in reruns on Lifetime, I hadn't seen the musical episode yet. I caught it a few days ago. And ya know what? I thought it was brilliant. With one exception, the music they picked melded perfectly with the running storyline, and the actors who got the main singing parts were awesome. I don't think that episode was Grey's 'jumping the shark'. I also don't think the coming episode where they wonder 'what if' is their shark episode either. I caught the new episode last night and it was just as gripping as ever.
ReplyDeleteUmm, yeah. Big fan. Anyway... I remember the Happy Days episode. I don't remember it being lame, but I just admitted to loving the musical episode of Grey's, so what do I know? ;o)
Ahh, Moonlighting. Remember their musical episode? Or their Taming of the Shrew episode? :happy sigh: I wish they'd show it in reruns. A homebody can only watch so many sitcoms before the brain starts to melt.
Ooh, blogger almost didn't let me use the threaded comments this am - not good, blogger!
DeleteI don't watch Grey's Anatomy at all, B.E. - I think I watched a couple of shows when it first came on, since everyone was talking about it, but it just didn't do anything for me. I'm not a big medical drama TV fan (although, I did love St. Elsewhere - can you believe Denzel Washington got his start there?). And what is it with shows doing musical numbers? If you're not a musical show, why bother?
Sometimes I think the 'jumping the shark' on those kind of shows are when the lead characters finally get together - the build-up and the anticipation...and then nothing. So many fans might have thought the 'moment' when Grey and McDreamy finally got together was the end of the show. I don't know - I'm just rambling :)
Why isn't Moonlighting on in reruns? It should be!
Okay, now I'll have to brave the heavy rain and go to the grocery store to buy bananas so I can make chocolate chip banana bread. Without pecans though, cuz son#2 doesn't like nuts, and if I put in pecans I'll have to eat the whole damn thing by myself, and then I'll be all depressed - and fat.
ReplyDeleteWe stopped watching Desperate Housewives when they "jumped the shark". Can't remember which episode that was, but I do remember thinking "okay, we're done". Very sad, cuz I really like that show.
I loved Moonlighting, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, and Remington Steele. Also, a bit earlier, Hart to Hart. I've always had a crush on Robert Wagner *sigh*. A current show in the same vein, I think, would be Castle, or the Mentalist. Both quite cute, IMO.
Yikes - drive safely on your banana quest, Lu ;) And definitely skip the pecans, although they were very good, but I don't want you eating the whole thing yourself...as I find I'm eating the whole thing myself! Ha!
DeleteFunny how we watch shows and then the writers do something and we say "Done"! Hmm, good lesson here for us writers - in fact, I think I've done that with a couple of WIPs. Writing away, all happy, characters 'jump the shark' and I'm suddenly a)bored b)disappointed c)frustrated - then something new and shiny draws my attention and I head that way.
I've even read books like that - get to a certain point and then...Done! Those are the books I usually abandon.
I never started watching Castle or The Mentalist - perhaps I should have if they are similar to those you mentioned. Oh, and I won't tell anyone you had a crush on Robert Wagner.
Random? What is this random of which you speak. LOLOL! Dang it. Get out of my head.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the weekend words. I'll actually try to participate this week. ;-)
Michelle Wolfson has a very dry and sarcastic wit. I follow her on Twitter. When I'm on Twitter. Like...I should clean out the cobwebs and get back on Twitter. It's only been...a month? People will have forgotten me. OHNOES!!!!!
Happy Friday, everyone.
Would love it if you found time to participate, Silver - but don't take time away form the Florida holiday!!!
DeleteAnd, ssshhhh, when you get back to Twitter, you'll find me - that's where I discovered Michelle Wolfson and tracked her back to her blog.
Are you following me? Am I following you? Well why not?!? ;-)
DeleteUm, I thought I was following you ;)
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