When did this show Jump the Shark?
Was it when Fonzie rode the bull? Or maybe when Fonzie went blind?
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Since this is the show that gave origin to the term jump the shark, the temptation is to say it was when fonzie literally jumped the shark.
Yeah, I was sorta wondering if Moonglum had already known this myself, but maybe not. The term has become so mainstream, that many use it without even knowing its origins. One time I dropped the label “Pollyanna” to describe something to a younger person. He understood what it symbolized, but had no idea that the 1913 novel, or the 1960 film featuring Haley Mills, had ever existed. share
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Lol yeah I knew about him riding the bull and going blind but not about the most famous jumping the shark stunt. I was just making an ironic joke of course.
shareIt was the moment they changed the whole focus of the show around Fonzie. Fonzi was good as a small side character and belonged in that role. When they made him into a mythical hero they ruined the show. It should have stayed about Richie and his friends.
I had to check your MovieChat name to make sure I didn't post that earlier and forget I did...
Yes, yes, yes. The first two seasons of HD were brilliant. A true window into the 50s. The characters, the situations, etc., were about the 50s. Fonzie was the good hearted "hood" who showed up for one or two scenes and was like desert after a good meal. But too much of any good thing is a bad thing.
Another problem was when they filmed in front of a studio audience.
The actors were reacting to the audience which changed everything, and I believe the writing was also changed from subtle to over the top to "take advantage" of the studio shoot. Between the show turning into the Fonzie show and filming before a studio audience, the entire dynamic changed.
For me, Happy Days is mostly two seasons and the rest garbage, which the exception of the Malachi brothers (who for some reason make me laugh).
Good post M.J.Frogg..
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Yes, yes, yes. The first two seasons of HD were brilliant. A true window into the 50s. The characters, the situations, etc., were about the 50s. Fonzie was the good hearted "hood" who showed up for one or two scenes and was like desert after a good meal. But too much of any good thing is a bad thing.
From an artistic stand point you're of course correct. But it's hard to argue with the commercial success Happy Days enjoyed. Much like with Urkel on Family Matters, the producers couldn't resist riding the wave of a cultural phenomenon as far as they possibly could. share
Correct - a point I should have addressed.
If I was in that room, I would have voted the same way. Let's face it, the suit's job is to make as much money until the well is pumped dry. It's just too bad that they didn't get another season or so out of the show before the paradigm shift.
Agreed! This thread made me wonder what happened to the actor that played Chuck Cunningham. After a quick trip to IMDB it turns out I've seen Gavin O'Herlihy (had no idea the actor's name) in a whole bunch of things without realizing it was him.
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