# What TV lasted the longest after having jumped the shark? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 1, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132 "2015-10-01T14:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/41 "2015-10-01T21:36:44Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > This example can’t compete with the length of some other shows mentioned here, but in the mid-80s, Valerie Harper had a sitcom built almost entirely around her called simply enough “Valerie.” After (I think) only one season, Harper got into a contract dispute with the network, demanded a huge salary increase and said “What are you gonna do? Fire me? _The show’s named after me!_” > > But the network did just that - they fired her. The first episode of the second season started with the family mourning the death of Valerie’s character, and the show - officially re-named “Valerie’s Family” carried on without her. > > I’m not sure that even counts as a “jump the shark” moment as that implies the show sank in quality. I think “Valerie’s Family” rose to the same level of mediocrity that “Valerie” had aspired to. That was the show that became _The Hogan Family,_ didn’t it? Worked for me; paved the way for Sandy Duncan’s return to television. And, incidentally, pretty much put a stake through Valerie Harper’s career… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/42 "2015-10-01T21:38:41Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > On a related note, I was shocked to note that the last season of _Laverne and Shirley_ didn’t have Shirley in it. That was just weird. > [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](#): > > Similiarly the last season of _Chico and the Man_ had no Chico. The solution is obvious, _Laverne and the Man_. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/43 "2015-10-01T21:43:03Z")
I still can’t understand how Big Bang Theory jumped the shark. It seems like it’s been one continuous story arch from the first episode on. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/44 "2015-10-01T21:49:39Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Simpsons by far. > > MASH jumped the shark when Trapper John and Henry left, but Simpsons has been chugging along post jump 15 years and counting. Adding Charles Emerson Winchester made it a different and better show, though the last season or two were pretty anemic. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/45 "2015-10-01T21:50:45Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I still can’t understand how Big Bang Theory jumped the shark. It seems like it’s been one continuous story arch from the first episode on. Far from it. We’ve had considerable character development, and Leonard and Penny’s relationship has been off again, on again… hell, Leonard’s had multiple story arcs with different girlfriends, and Howard’s learned how to be a husband, and way less of a creepy jerk… to the point where he reacts badly to OTHER people being creepy jerks. Meanwhile, Raj can talk to girls now, although his development hasn’t been real good; he used to be the only cast member who ever got laid, even when he couldn’t talk to girls. Now he’s kind of prissy with a dog he treats like a baby. And then Sheldon… well… Sheldon’s exactly as much of an ass as the plot requires him to be, because he’s the breakout character, and we can’t change him until the series finale, when he finally marries Amy or something… The whole point of the show is dialogue-based humor, with occasional bolts of situation humor. They haven’t been doing that very well since most of last season. I still find the reruns funny. But last season, we could sit and watch a whole episode with stony faces, and this season, not only can we keep the stone faces, but we practically have time to send out for pizza during the midpoint commercial break. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/46 "2015-10-01T22:04:01Z")
Speaking of shows shedding cast members, I remember having stopped watching That 70s Show and then, four years later, hearing that it was having its finale. No Simpsons, but definitely a case of going on far to long – long enough that I had assumed it ended years prior. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/47 "2015-10-01T22:06:54Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > We’ve had considerable character development That’s the story arch. They were 20 something nerds, now they’re growing up. You can say it’s not funny anymore, or that it should be cancelled, and that’s fine. I don’t think they are diverging hugely from what it’s always been. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/48 "2015-10-01T22:22:43Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > True, but _Happy Days_ was a zombie TV show for its last several seasons, particularly after Ron Howard and Tom Bosley left; the network just couldn’t stand to let it die, and Henry Winkler was simply making too much money to walk away… y’might as well have just renamed it _The Fonzie Show_, and have done with it… Tom Bosley never left. In fact, he and Henry Winkler were the only actors that appeared in all 255 episodes. Marion Ross only missed 3 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/49 "2015-10-01T22:27:10Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > Adding Charles Emerson Winchester made it a different and better show, though the last season or two were pretty anemic. Obviously, I disagree. Early MASH was edgy and subversive with a bit of manic energy. I feel that they dumbed it down and made it safe with corn ball characters and smaltzy dialogue after the early years. The first seasons still had some of the edge of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/50 "2015-10-01T22:27:12Z")
Seriously? Huh. Seems to me we never saw Tom Bosley towards those last few seasons, but then, by then I wasn’t watching the show much. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/51 "2015-10-01T22:29:38Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Obviously, I disagree. Early MASH was edgy and subversive with a bit of manic energy. I feel that they dumbed it down and made it safe with corn ball characters and smaltzy dialogue after the early years. The first seasons still had some of the edge of the movie. To some extent, true. On the other hand, Margaret became more of a real person, they replaced caricature Frank Burns with a real person, Major Winchester, we replaced the bumbling cartoon Col. Blake with a much more real Col. Potter… It wasn’t quite the same show, but I would argue that it was certainly no worse. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/52 "2015-10-01T22:34:21Z")
It’s not the kind of show being considered here, but Monday Night Football jumped the shark sometime in the 80s when the show itself became an event instead of just a football game broadcast. After the old trio of Cosell, Meredith, and Gifford were gone it reverted back. It could be credited with continuing for 30 years after it’s jump. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/53 "2015-10-01T22:49:07Z")
Another vote for the Simpsons. Though Sundays episode wasn’t bad. I also think an argument could be made for M_A_S\*H. When Alan Alda got in on the writing & production and stuck his ideology into every episode it definitely went down a few notches. Now here is one that will surprise you: Gunsmoke! One of my favorite shows of all time. I won’t go so far as to say it jumped the shark, but it was appalling when they started ripping off plots from other shows and movies. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/54 "2015-10-01T23:05:42Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Now here is one that will surprise you: Gunsmoke! One of my favorite shows of all time. I won’t go so far as to say it jumped the shark, but it was appalling when they started ripping off plots from other shows and movies. I’d thought about mentioning _Gunsmoke_ earlier… because, yeah, those last few seasons were just goin’ through the motions. Then again, NO series had EVER run THAT long, up until that point… ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/55 "2015-10-02T00:28:02Z")
No contest. **Saturday Night Live**. Once a relevant, edgy show that took chances, broke barriers and featured musical acts that weren’t well known or popular but talented and unique. SNL was an alternative to the safe, standard prime time variety show. Since the 80’s it’s been nothing more than a standard, safe variety show. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/56 "2015-10-02T00:48:35Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > Well, that was more a case of “can’t get the actor back from the dead,” as opposed to “actor’s fed up and no longer under contract.” A good enough agent could have arranged it. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/57 "2015-10-02T01:16:47Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > Well, that was more a case of “can’t get the actor back from the dead,” as opposed to “actor’s fed up and no longer under contract.” > > I do wonder if they were geared up to make the last season of _Chico_ and it was just too late to call it off, or what. The idea of trying to make that show without Freddie Prinze just strikes me as boneheaded beyond belief. Something similar happened with the early 70s comedy Western series _Alias Smith and Jones_. Late in the second season, co-star Pete Duel committed suicide. The production company wanted to stop production, naturally, but ABC wouldn’t let them, and apparently threatened to sue them if they didn’t continue to produce episodes on time. So, less than 12 hours after Duel’s death, the rest of the cast were on the set shooting scenes, while Duel’s role was hastily re-cast. The show continued through the remainder of the second season, and was even renewed for a third season, but it never did recover from the loss of Duel. Fans never really accepted the new actor (Roger Davis), and there was a lot of criticism in the press for resuming production so quickly. It also didn’t help matters that the Western was pretty much a dying genre at that point. So in that cast at least, the answer to “Why did they keep the show going” was that the network made them. I don’t know if _Chico and the Man_ might have been a similar situation. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/58 "2015-10-02T01:16:51Z")
If you need to know one of defining “Jumped the Shark” moment for The Simpsons, some people have replaced “Jumping the Shark” with “Raped by a Panda” IIRC, that episode was particularly tedious for me. Merry Fishmas. Clever, but not funny. Also, not clever. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/59 "2015-10-02T01:26:50Z")
Perhaps we can focus on live-action. I agree that the Simpsons is so far gone that there are roughly 80% of all episodes I have now not seen. I used to consider myself an expert. I have no idea about it now. I still like Supernatural, but almost everyone agrees that it has been in decline since season 6. Season 11 premieres next week. 113 episodes past its prime. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132/60 "2015-10-02T03:50:24Z")
> [@bump](#): > > It has to be the longest running non-news program right? 28 seasons is unheard of. General Hospital has been on for 52 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-lasted-the-longest-after-having-jumped-the-shark/733132.md?page=4)