The Jumping of the Shark

A program once adored seems hardly worth it anymore.
What used to bring us laughter, thrills, or sorrow is a bore.
The series may continue, but it’s sorely lost its spark.
You can bet there’s been an instance of the Jumping of the Shark.

It could be that a newer writer’s proved to be a hack.
Perhaps a favorite character is never coming back.
Perhaps it’s gotten corny, or perhaps it’s grown too dark.
Either way, it’s fallen victim to the Jumping of the Shark.

When someone steals the spotlight in a way that isn’t cool,
Or something awkward happens and appears to break a rule,
Or viewer interest flags with an interminable arc,
Then a critic’s bound to label it the Jumping of the Shark.

Now you may think it sad when makers quit while they’re ahead,
But please consider how they could have fudged it up instead.
No genius lasts forever; they would someday miss the mark,
Whereupon we get the Jumping of that misbegotten Shark.