A biweekly feature about idioms.
To “jump the shark” means to rely on ridiculous, convoluted, or blatantly showy actions to keep the interest of readers, viewers, etc. It’s a reference to an actual episode of latter-year “Happy Days” in which one of the characters literally jumps over a shark while jet-skiing.
More broadly, it’s shorthand to say something has outlived its shelf life and is struggling to maintain viewership.
E.g. I really liked the first few seasons, you know before they jumped the shark and brought in all those guest presenters. I mean, who wants to watch Simon Cowell catch a predator?
E.g. I don’t care what the head elf says, we’ve got a solid product and there’s no reason to play E. L. Fudge for laughs.
E.g. Unless you’re a marine biologist, a group of British immersive actors, or related to Evel Knievel, there’s no reason to use the adverb “literally” when you talk about jumping the shark.
Basically, it’s synonymous with desperation and kinda sad. Especially for the hungry shark.