10 Questions about Jumping The Shark

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From which famed television series does the phrase "jump the shark" derive?

Answer: "Happy Days"

The incident in question occurred during a multi-part arc of "Happy Days", when The Fonz (Henry Winkler) ends up jumping over a shark in a water-skiing competition. According to Hein and many fans of the series, this is when the show began its downhill slide into oblivion.

2. Different actors playing the same character can be considered a shark-jumping moment. On CBS's hit comedy, "The Jeffersons", Mike Evans played the same character, Lionel, twice. Which actor replaced, and was later replaced, by Evans in the role?

Answer: Damon Evans

In a switch reminescent of the Great Dick Switch (Sargent for York) on ABC's "Bewitched", "The Jeffersons" had the Great Lionel Switchback. Mike Evans, who played the role of Lionel Jefferson on "All In The Family", moved on up with Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford when "The Jeffersons" spun off.

He stayed on the series during its first season (1975), then was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation and no resemblance). Damon stayed in the role through 1978, when Mike came back for two more seasons.

3. Another common shark-jump milestone, marriage, tends to rear its ugly head when the creative well runs dry. How long did NBC's sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" last after Major Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) said "I do" to his faithful genie (Barbara Eden)?

Answer: One season

When "I Dream of Jeannie" premiered in 1965, Captain Nelson (as he was known then) was on top of the world, engaged to marry a general's daughter and ready to make history as a Mercury astronaut. But when his space capsule went off course and had to make an emergency landing, he found Jeannie and his life was never the same. "Jeannie" ended after the 1969-70 season, its sexual tension lost in wedded bliss.

4. The addition of a new character to a veteran series often means that the shark is in view. "The Flintstones" is considered to have hit that mark with the addition of the Great Gazoo during its sixth and final season. Who provided the Great Gazoo's voice?

Answer: Harvey Korman

The Great Gazoo had been banished from his home planet because of a mistake he had made there. He was sent to Earth to atone for his sin and gain passage to return home. Although fans of "The Flinstones" cite other moments for shark-jumping, such as Gerry Johnson replacing Bea Benaderet as the voice of Betty Rubble and Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm singing "Let The Sunshine In", the Gazoo's presence ranks as the top shark-jump point.

5. Likewise, the departure of a beloved character can mark the beginning of the end for a TV show. For "The Andy Griffith Show", that happened when Don Knotts, who played the bumbling Barney Fife, left town. How many Emmys did Knotts earn as one of television's best known second bananas?

Answer: 5

The allure of headlining his own variety show and starring in feature films prompted Knotts to leave "Andy Griffith" when his contract expired, after five seasons. His success outside of Mayberry is considered modest, even considering that he later played bug-eyed building superintendent Ralph Furley on the ABC comedy "Three's Company" for five years (1979-84).

6. Characters who move away tend to turn a show into shark bait. When the Stivics (Mike, Gloria and Joey) moved out of the Bunker home on "All In The Family", in which state did they wind up?

Answer: California

The Stivics' move out of the house - and for Sally Struthers, to her own spinoff--set the stage for another "All In The Family" shark jump, the addition of the cute kid. In this case, it was Danielle Brisbois, who came on to play the role of little Stephanie Mills, as "All In The Family" morphed into "Archie Bunker's Place".

7. Beware of the special guest star! The shark isn't too far behind when one appears. NBC's "Diff'rent Strokes" had the misfortune of having which famous woman drop in for an anti-drug episode in 1983?

Answer: Nancy Reagan

The First Lady made her special guest appearance in an episode called "The Reporter", first aired on March 19, 1983. She was hardly a stranger to the camera, though, having appeared in many movies and TV series prior to that.

8. Game shows, the former bastions of the daytime, aren't immune to shark-jumping. In fact, visitors to jumptheshark.com cite which moments as shark jumps for the Alex Trebek incarnation of "Jeopardy!"?

Answer: All of these are shark-jumping moments

Several years ago, "Jeopardy!" was in the middle of a mini-controversy that the folks at Columbia TriStar Television (now Sony Pictures Television) astutely sidestepped to avoid major troubles. Alex Trebek admitted that, in order to increase viewership and encourage more female contestants, more female-friendly categories were added to the show.

While some pundits saw this as tatamount to rigging, others were quick to point out that this tactic was actually quite clever and completely legal, as everyone had the same opportunity to answer the questions.

9. Even regularly-scheduled sports programs have a shark in the water, waiting to claim a victim. NBC's coverage of the NBA from 1991 to 2002 not only included the Chicago Bulls' six league titles, but also drew ire for which former player-turned-color analyst, who just couldn't seem to keep his mouth shut?

Answer: Bill Walton

Shark-jumping pundits either love Bill Walton or hate him. With him, there's no middle ground. Having personally met the man once - he was the color commentator for the Los Angeles Clippers over-the-air telecasts on the UPN affiliate out there when he called a game in Charlotte - he's certainly nice enough. But heaven forbid he open his mouth. That's when most want to sock him.

10. Which actor is lovingly referred to as the Patron Saint of Shark Jumping?

Answer: Ted McGinley

In spite of the fact that he spent six seasons on "Married With Children" (as Jefferson D'Arcy) and four on "Happy Days" (as Roger Phillips), Ted McGinley is considered by shark-jumping pundits as the ultimate sign that a show is headed downhill. The other actors listed here have received honorable mention as potential patron saints, for their contributions to the deaths of various TV shows.

Source: Author cag1970

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

10 Questions about Jumping The Shark | Television

A television show that has lost its creative edge is said to have "jumped the shark". This quiz is based on information from Jon Hein's book "Jump The Shark", and his website, jumptheshark.com.

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