The moment Fonzie "jumped the shark" in Happy Days is cited as the scene that killed the show - which just isn't the case. "Jump the shark" is a well-known phrase among pop culture fans. It usually refers to a scene in a given TV series where it tried to pull off an outrageous twist or gimmick, which usually backfires and is marked as the moment it went downhill creatively. An excellent example would be Dallas, where an entire season was essentially wiped out and explained as a dream so that Patrick Duffy's previously deceased Bobby could be revealed as alive. The Archie Vs Sharkado comic is another instance.

The phrase "jump the shark" originated with Happy Days, and comes from the season 5 episode "Hollywood: Part 3," which aired in 1977. The scene in question saw Henry Winkler's Fonzie do a water-ski stunt that involved jumping over a shark. The saying itself originated from comedian Jon Hein, who revealed (via Michigan Today) that he coined it in response to a question from friends about the moment their favorite shows started to decline. Happy Days' shark-jumping scene is now so infamous it's considered the moment that killed it, which is incorrect.

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Happy Days Lasted For Six More Years After "Hollywood: Part 3"

Henry Winkler as Fonzie in Happy Days

Not only was Happy Days "Hollywood: Part 3" a ratings hit when it aired, there was little if any commentary about the shark scene in the aftermath. In fact, Happy Days lasted another six seasons, coming to an end in 1984. During that time, it spawned many spin-offs too, including Robin Williams Mork And Mindy and Joanie Loves Chachi. In truth, there were a lot of great episodes in the aftermath of Fonzie's shark stunt, but few would highlight the scene as one of Happy Days' best either.

The Fonzie stunt in "Hollywood: Part 3" was created to give Winkler an excuse to show off his water-skiing skills, as he used to be an instructor. The actor isn't embarrassed by the phrase either. He told The Wrap in 2018 that he didn't mind the picture of the scene being spread around as he had "great legs" at the time, and that Happy Days remained a big hit for years after it aired. He would later jump over a dead shark during an episode of Arrested Development.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Had The Opposite Of "Jump The Shark"

Star Trek the next generation will thomas riker USS cerritos

While Happy Days' "jump the shark" refers to the moment a show starts to decline, there's a more positive rebuttal to the saying. "Growing the beard" refers to Jonathan Frakes' Riker starting to grow some luxurious facial hair during Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season, which is considered the point a series got really good. Other examples of shows that started on shaky ground only to flourish included Parks And Recreation, cult sitcom Red Dwarf or Seinfield. "Growing the Beard" isn't as pervasive as "jumping the shark," but it's a nice alternative to its snarkier cousin.

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