MovieChat Forums > Blind Justice (2005) Discussion > Jump the Shark

Jump the Shark

posted 19 years ago by Shmeep
8 replies | jump to latest

I noticed yesterday that the Jump the Shark website http://jumptheshark.com/ finally has a category for Blind Justice. I have been watching for it for a long time now and I'm happy to see it there. Of course, the comments there are often snarky and meant to be on more of a negative note, but I thought it would be nice if some fans of the show had a say as well. I noticed that most of the posts were written by people who haven't even watched but who were judging by premise alone. I would love to see what you intelligent people have to say there (if the urge hits).

[–] angel_6445 19 years ago

I've been watching for it too. Thanks for the heads-up...I hadn't checked for a few days.

I am amazed how many people trash this show, but don't watch it! Hell, I was skeptical before the pilot too...I just HAD to watch it. Now it's the only show I never miss. Everything else can be taped and watched later, but not Blind Justice! =O)

[–] Birdofire1 19 years ago

Ok, maybe I'm just having a very blond day but could you explain the concept of 'jumping the shark' to me? I noticed that they had the Simpsons under 'Never Jumped' catagory and frankly, for me, the Simpsons aren't just dredged from the bottom of a swamp level, it's somewhere under the middle crust. Note that previous comment is ONLY the opinion of one person. I don't expect anyone to agree with me but I'd take Blind Justice over the Simpsons any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
So how is it the Simpsons have never 'jumped the shark' as opposed to Blind Justice?
Anyway, I'd like to leave an intelligent comment on the site but I'd like to know what I'm talking about:D

Ladies don't start fights... but we can finish 'em!

[–] printsofdarkness 19 years ago

It's a reference to a plot stunt attempted on an episode of "Happy Days", where the Fonz 'jumped a shark' waterskiing. It's shorthand for a TV show, in its waning seasons, doing anything, however ridiculous and inconsistent with the character of the show, to attract viewers. I don't think the phrase is fairly applied to Blind Justice because it's a new program that is well before that stage in a series' life cycle. The people who ascribe that to the show just refuse to see past the premise. I myself only became familiar with the meaning of that expression this year.

"Situation like this, there's a high potentiality for the common m$@%*rf^&!#r to bitch out."

[–] Shmeep 19 years ago

I want to add to what printsofdarkness said about Jumping the Shark. It isn't even always a stunt done to attract viewers. Often, Jumping the Shark simply means the moment at which a viewer loses faith in a show...and it can be for whatever reason. When it happened--literally--during Happy Days, it was during a bad season and that one instant of ridiculousness cemented the fact that it was no longer a good show. Some shows do jump at conception. No show is safe. Some people say Felicity jumped when she cut her hair, Little House on the Prairie jumped when Albert was introduced, etc. For me, Northern Exposure started jumping around the time Maggy grew her hair out. That's just a coincidence, but that is how I would catagorize that Jumping of the Shark. I agree that Blind Justice hasn't jumped (heaven forbid!) but I disagree that it's too soon to call. If someone can't get past the premise, then it has jumped for that person. Of course, it's not very open-minded of people to write in about a show they haven't even watched....but I could do that about a few shows that I KNOW are bad and probably be right so I guess I shouldn't be too harsh on them. They don't know what they're missing.

[–] printsofdarkness 19 years ago

Okay, partially familiar with the meaning.

"Situation like this, there's a high potentiality for the common m$@%*rf^&!#r to bitch out."

[–] Birdofire1 19 years ago

Ok, thanks Shmeep and printsofdarkness both, I understand what it's about now pretty much and so I think I'll look around some more on the web site and then give it a shot :) We can't let people think Blind Justice is vanquished LOL

Ladies don't start fights... but we can finish 'em!

[–] Shmeep 19 years ago

Okay, I just went to the website and I see what you mean. The category "never jumped" just means that a huge number of people voted that way. If you click on The Simpsons from there, you will see the grid with the breakdown from all the posts they've received. Many people who posted, even for The Simpsons, feel it has JtS and their specific reasons are listed in the grid, along with the number of people who wrote in with each reason. Remember that when a show has been around for as long as The Simpsons, many of those votes are from years ago, before the show actually DID JtS.

The Blind Justice category is still brand new so it won't compare to those that have been up and running for quite some time. All you have to do is state that you feel Blind Justice hasn't jumped and explain why. If you need a little time to digest the whole jumping the shark concept, maybe browse through a couple of other shows that you are familiar with and see what other people say about them. The site itself is not biased. They just post and tally what they are given. I think it's fun.

[–] 19 years ago

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