Follow Zap2it:
Jump the Shark: The origin of a legend airs on The Hub
Combine an ill-fitting swimsuit, a pair of water skis, a leather jacket and a man-eating fish and you have the origins of TV history. The actual "Jump the Shark" episode of "Happy Days," spawning the term that network execs fear the most, airs Aug. 1 on The Hub at 10 p.m. ET.In what is clearly a wink and a nod to Discovery Channel's popular Shark Week, The Hub has dusted off this classic and/or dubious episode of television.
Here's a quick history for the uninitiated:
The 1970s program starring Ron Howard and Henry Winkler began their fifth season in Los Angeles rather than their normal home on Milwaukee's North Side. Fonzie, attempting to prove his mettle, skied into television lore with the moment that unintentionally signaled the beginning of the end for the series -- a literal jumping of the shark. The term has since become synonymous with a TV show that is on the decline.
Winkler proved he has a sense of humor about the whole thing. During an episode of "Arrested Development," his character Barry Zuckercorn jumped over a shark again.
If you don't have time to watch the episode or if you just want to see the good parts, below is the video. Cringe as necessary.
`
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: YouTube, ABC
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd



Don't see why people even use this term. Ok, so the show got silly in season 5. Big whoop. It lasted for another 6. Saying 50% through is "marking the beginning of the end" is absurd.
"Happy Days" may have gone on for another six years, but I'm afraid Mr. Winkler mis-spoke when he said they were number one for another six years. They were never number one again. And have you ever watched an episode from those last few seasons. The term is useful in signifying when a show made a wrong turn creatively that led to it's ultimate cancellation, whether it continued to coast on past momentum for awhile first or not.