Response to ten or so emails concerning the term "Jump(ing) the Shark". It seems to have come from the TV Show "Happy Days". When the show started to sag; Ron Howard had left, Potsie was looking stupid, and the show was at the point of plunge. So they did a bit where Fonzi (Henry Winkler, then looking 35 and still playing 17) did a stunt where he did a water ski jump over a shark. Totally out of character and proof that the show was flailing. So whenever a show or performer who has run out of hits, ideas, scripts, etc., tries a desperation move it is called "jumping the shark". Janet Jackson jumped the shark. Now CBS Viacom may be faced with some interesting choices too.