Customer Reviews

Jump the Shark

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The concept "Jumped the Shark" itself jumped the shark with the publication of the book "Jumped the Shark."

The website concept of "Jumped the Shark" was received ecstatically by generations of TV fans who felt betrayed when their favorite shows either become self-conscious, sold out in some way, cheapened themselves, introduced "cute" characters or otherwise became too stupid to tolerate. The application of a term to this phenomenon was well overdue and viewers were grateful to have their observations and gripes validated and recognized through the website.

Well I guess it was inevitable that the Jumped the Shark movement would itself jump the shark. This happened with the publication of the book "Jump the Shark," which aside from being an obvious attempt to cash in on the idea, fell far, far short of the standard set by the website. Why?

1. The website itself has/had an "underground" appeal to clever people who observe culture with some degree cynicism and awareness. Now, the book is available in airports. It has been mainstreamed. Enough said. But I will say more.....

2. A big part of the appeal of the website is that it gave a voice to EVERYONE because the commentaries were reader-submitted. This allowed irreverence, biting humor, dirty comments, sentimentality, subjective opinions. What does the book offer? The MOST repressed, watered-down, careful, edited, appealing-to-the-lowest-common-denominator, flavorless analyses of when shows jumped the shark. Obviously, not all opinions and thoughts could be reflected in the book, but it is clear that the author went way out of his way not to offend and the result is a bland work indeed.

3. The truly fatal flaw was that the concept became "self-conscious, a fatal flaw for many of the shows that are reviewed. Part of this self-consciousness is the overworking of the metaphor, "jump the shark" to the point that it does not even make sense. "Jump the shark" refers to the moment that show begins to fail. But the author, trying desperately to be cute like so many of the shows he covers, extends the metaphor and talks about "shark bait," "the shark swimming off to a new show" (as though the shark had attacked a program) or "seeing fins." None of this really works.

This whole thing was a lot of fun, but I am afraid "Jumped the Shark" has itself taken the lethal jump over the shark.

The "Jump the Shark" website is one of the most entertaining websites out there, due to its lively discussion forums about TV shows that, at some point, started declining in quality never to return to its former glory. The episode or event in that TV show's history when that happened is when it "jumped the shark". Of course, there are differing opinions on when this may have happened, if it ever did in the case of some shows. The problem with putting this in book form is it becomes one man's opinion that is codified as THE expert opinion on when shows (and baseball teams, politicians, celebrities, and musicians) jumped the shark.

Some opinions, of course, are hard to argue with. There is little argument that, for example, the Andy Griffith Show jumped the shark when Barney left Mayberry, or that the Boston Red Sox jumped the shark when they traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Some, however, defy logic, because some of the greatest successes took place after the supposed "shark jump". For example, it states the Mary Tyler Moore show jumped when Mary changed apartments. In my opinion, that's totally wrong. Some of the best shows of the series (including the classic "Chuckles Bites the Dust", which many critics rate as the top TV show episode of all time) happened after Mary moved into her new place. Richard Nixon was said to have jumped the shark with his early-1950's "Checkers" speech. How can someone jump the shark and then later get elected president twice? Nixon obviously jumped the shark at Watergate, but then, the author had to save that one for the whole Republican party.

This book is great as a discussion (and argument) starter, but I think the website is better because there differing opinions are offered. I disagreed with too much in this book to give it more than three stars, and I'd have to say that, when this was made into a book, "Jump the Shark" jumped the shark.

From the first page this book is a non-stop crack-up. I've given over 20 copies to friends...and they love it just as much as I do. This Hein guy knows more about TV then just about anyone. And his stories about celeberities, athletic figures, and politicans jumping the shark are not just funny but really insightful. You deserve a few laughs and this book delivers. Hein has invented a new way of seeing popular culture. He must be an amazing man and I wish I were related to him. I'd give it six stars if I could!!!!!

I don't agree with those who say this book in itself has "jumped the shark". I like that it doesn't just stick to TV shows like the website. If it were just like the site, what would the be the point in buying the book? I thought the music section was great. I didn't much care for the sports section since I am not really a sports fan, but that didn't diminish the book in my eyes. Fortunately, the book lacks something the website had too much of: arrogant posts that basically said, "If you don't like what I like, then you must be a ....." The book maintains a sense of fun without being mean-spirited, and it's an interesting read.

This is great as a light, humorous read! As a kind of "amateur pop culture critic" myself, I love to read critiques in general, esp. when a good dose of humor is thrown in. So naturally, this appealed...having not been to the related website, I can't compare it to that, but let's just say sudden giggling fits would emanate from my room as I sat and read the description of Styx's Kilroy Was Here concept and tour, the opening sentence of the Jethro Tull section: "That flute. That damn flute.", etc, etc....lotsa catty fun, I recommend it!

After reading "Jump the Shark: When Good Things Go Bad," I must say I was disappointed. I thought JTS would shed new light on how and why some TV shows, politicians, etc. went downhill but that was not the case. I didn't think the book was very insightful as it merely underscored what I already thought about the downfall of some of our popular culture icons. Essentially, JTS is nothing more than a collection of subjective commentaries without any real in-depth analysis.

As for the evaluations of the TV shows themselves, again, I didn't think the reviews were particularly insightful. Hein didn't say anything new as he merely echoes the general concensus of those opinions expressed on his web site. At this point, I feel the JTS web site has also jumped as it's become nothing more than another chat room. In all fairness though, Hein does make some funny comments and it's an easy book to read but then again, consider the subject matter.

All in all, JTS doesn't break any new ground or make any startling relevations. IMO, it's a waste of money even at half the price.

Jumptheshark.com is one of those rare concepts that's so obviously brilliant that you wind up mad at yourself for not thinking of it first. Especially for those of us who grew up with '70s and '80s TV (and who rolled our eyes at the original shark-jumping episode of "Happy Days"), the whole idea makes perfect sense.

Now creator Jon Hein has capitalized on his well-deserved success to bring "jumping the shark" to book form. With a quick, cheeky writing style, Hein delivers zingers that pinpoint the exact moments when our favorite TV shows, celebrities and music artists jumped... or at least went from great to not-quite-as-great. With each analysis lasting less than two pages, it's the perfect bathroom reader, though I personally couldn't put it down no matter what room I was in.

You likely won't agree with each and every verdict... and that's part of the fun. The whole point of jumptheshark.com is to foster debate, and the book preserves that same spirit.

TV and celebrities were made for shark-jumping, but Hein pushes it a little when he ventures into other realms. "We spotted a fin," as the book would say, in the chapter on sports. And the section on politics is shark-bait for sure. The book avoids jumping altogether, though a sequel would do well to stick closer to showbiz. There's plenty there to keep the shark well fed for a long time to come...

"Jump the Shark" by Jon Hein is the paper (and audio) version of the TV show opinion website with a massive underground following, with opinions thrown in on political figures, professional sports teams, and musical artists for added interest. As an opinion book, it is rather mediocre, especially compared to the extensive website, because there is no way to fit a reperesentive amount of opinions on when "good things go bad" within the confines of a book. Instead, most of the opinions expressed are consensus and predictable, though you may agree with some or all of them. Compare this book to the sometimes off-the-wall, yet insightful discussions on the jumptheshark.com website, and this book comes up rather short (and bland).

Despite the incomplete nature of the opinion side of this book, there is plenty to like in "Jump the Shark." Each page is loaded with more information on your favorite celebrities than you probably want or need to know. Even though it's highly probable they missed your favorite show, team, or celebrity, it is a decent read with a lot of information. If nothing else, this book serves as a bridge to the much-better website.

With great anticipation I bought this book. Imagine my surprise when within the first 13 pages I found 5 glaring errors! I admit, my pre-teenage and teenage years were mostly spent watching tv because I was grounded - so I know what I'm talking about. Who edited this book? Who was the fact checker? I realize I'm not talking about an Atlas of the World - but if you are going to write about TV and the downfall of tv shows - at least have the characters or the storylines straight. For instance - BH 90210 - MR and Mrs. Walsh moved to Hong Kong, not Japan. Cosby Show - Olivia's parents are Mark and Denise (step mom) - not Sondra and Elvin. Andy Griffith - Goober and Gomer are cousins - not brothers. This is in the first few pages. This book is one the the continuing downfalls of civilization. Employ a fact checker - or at the very least - know what the heck you are talking about. Now I'm concentrating on all the errors - the heck with when the shows jumped the shark.

Some reviewers have noted that this book is all over the map, trying to cover too many topics, but that doesn't begin to cover the problem. How can you compare the beginning of the decline of Germany (and the ascension of the Third Reich) to Fonzie jumping the shark? Um, one was a cheesy TV show and the other involved systematic genocide and the ruination of much of Europe?
It's a bit flippant. The politics section in generally cannot be taken seriously; the opinions are facile at best.

I didn't bother with the sports section. Even rabid sports fans are often only mildly interested in the history of sports; sports is about winning and losing in the here and now. When did Dennis Rodman jump the shark? I'm not even going to bother to look that up right now as I write this review.