jump the shark

"Jump the shark" is a colloquial expression that originated from a 1977 episode of the television series "Happy Days." In this episode, the character Fonzie performs a water ski jump over a shark, which many viewers considered a ridiculous and desperate attempt to maintain the show's declining popularity. Since then, "jump the shark" has come to signify the moment when a TV show, film, or other creative endeavor takes a turn for the worse, often by introducing a gimmick or plotline that is absurd, illogical, or simply an attempt to keep the audience interested. It refers to the point when a show or project loses its credibility and begins a decline in quality or relevance.