Comedy legend Garry Marshall, who created classic TV shows like Mork and Mindy and Happy Days, and directed Pretty Woman, among many other hit films, died at the age of 81 on Tuesday.
Of all the episodes and films he’s brought to life, one storyline has lived on for decades after it first aired. It has beccome a pop culture phrase used to describe art, entertainment and even politics: " jump the shark." As you well know, the phrase is used to indicate a desperate attempt to get attention—and it usually doesn't end well.
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The phrase comes from an episode of Happy Days, where, Fonzie, in his ever-present leather jacket, goes water skiing, and, well, jumps a shark. Watch the scene above and just try to tell us that it isn't exciting and what every minute of every TV show should aspire to be. You can't, can you? So we hereby declare “jump the shark” as a label for things that are singularly, unduplicatingly awesome. Rest in peace, Garry!
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