We’ve all been there—browsing a beloved show, completely absorbed, when suddenly. What was that? A plot point so over-the-top or against character that you’re screaming at the TV in astonishment. That, my friend, is what we refer to as “jumping the shark.
The term originated in a now-notorious Happy Days episode in which Fonzie after-skis over a shark, still in his leather jacket. Ever since, it’s been used as shorthand for that moment when a show loses its mojo and begins to reach for straws to remain exciting. Here are 13 shows that took that ill-fated leap, from somewhat cringeworthy to outright ridiculous.
13. Game of Thrones – The Final Season Meltdown
Once the gold standard of prestige TV, Game of Thrones infuriated fans with its breakneck conclusion. Important character journeys were sped up (hi, Daenerys), and storylines that developed over seasons fizzled out in an instant. The outrage was fervent, with an accompanying petition to re-do the entire season.
12. The Office (US) – The Wedding Dance & Michael’s Goodbye
Jim and Pam’s wedding should have been lovely, but that flash mob dance down the aisle was a little too. Outside the box. The actual turning point, however, came when Steve Carell left. Without Michael Scott, the show attempted to continue, but something critical was missing—and it was evident.
11. Dexter – That Cringe Confession
Dexter was doing fine—until his sister Debra unexpectedly developed the hots for him. Yes, that sort of love. Combine that with the already dubious trajectory the show was on, and fans were through. And don’t even remind us of that lumberjack finale.
10. Lost – Too Many Questions, Not Enough Answers
Lost was TV in its most exciting form for a while—until the mystery began accumulating with no resolution in mind. Giant statues, smoke monsters, pointless time travel—it was a mess of plot threads that left viewers in a daze and frustrated when the finale arrived, and not many questions were satisfied.
9. Downton Abbey – The Milk Truck Moment
A series noted for elegance and poise suddenly produced one of the funniest unintentionally funny deaths television has ever seen. Fresh from becoming a father, Matthew Crawley is offed in a bizarre car accident with a milk lorry. It was a shocking change that left many viewers wondering if the show was going in the right direction.
8. Community – When Everyone Left the Table
Community was fabulously quirky until issues in the real world started to intrude. Creator Dan Harmon was temporarily let go, and core cast members (including Donald Glover and Chevy Chase) departed. Although there were some great episodes subsequently, the show never regained the initial weird and wonderful pace.
7. American Horror Story – Hotel’s Horror Show
American Horror Story started strong, with creative seasons such as Murder House and Asylum. But by the point Hotel arrived—with its muddled plot and empty characters—the cracks were beginning to appear. Even a glamorous cast couldn’t save it from its cluttered storytelling.
6. Sherlock – The Hallucination Special
The early seasons of Sherlock were clever, chic, and witty. Then came the special during which Sherlock experiences a drug-induced dream in Victorian London. Season four was filled with outlandish plot turns (exploding and surviving explosions, secret siblings) that read like fanfiction rather than detection.
5. Riverdale – Unadulterated, Unbridled Mayhem
What started as a dark teen drama inspired by Archie Comics deteriorated into complete madness. Witchcraft, cults, parallel universes, time traveling, and even an asteroid demolished any semblance of rationality. At this juncture, trying to keep up with Riverdale’s plot is a zombie apocalypse-level task.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Buffy Comes Back
Buffy’s resurrection during season six steered the series much darker. Although many fans loved the gritty landscape and nuanced relationships (Spuffy, anyone?), others longed for the lighter, better-balanced storytelling of previous seasons. For most, something was lost in the transition.
3. Grey’s Anatomy – When It Became a Fever Dream
What used to be a dramatic medical show, Grey’s Anatomy, is now synonymous with progressively more outlandish plot turns. Take, for instance, the much-maligned musical episode and the protracted dream-world COVID storyline in which Meredith has a half-season of sitting on a beach talking to deceased characters.
2. Fear the Walking Dead – Shelter Hopscotch
This Walking Dead prequel got off to a strong start by centering on the early stages of the outbreak. But by the later seasons, it had descended into a cycle of repetition—find shelter, lose shelter, repeat—alongside some perplexing character choices. Following a high-profile showrunner change, things only became more complicated.
1. Happy Days – The Jump Heard ‘Round the World
Where it all started. When Fonzie leaped over a shark during season five, the writers likely figured it was a lark. But the image was so absurd that it became the de facto sign for when a show crossed the line. Ironically, Happy Days lasted on television for several more years, but the phrase itself endures long after.
Whether it’s a last-ditch effort to remain current, a cast overhaul, or simply bad writing, all shows are in danger of jumping the shark. The good news? Even after the shark jumps, some shows continue to swim. Others… well, they go down with the shark.