Shows you preferred after “jumping the shark”?

[Lance Uppercut]

I saw a post on Facebook about Ted McGinley and how every show he was on were on their last legs by the time he got there. But quite preferred the Jefferson era. Just embraced the wackiness and trashiness over the more subdued Steve and Marcy. The show just got meaner and weirder, and I was all for it

[James Fabiano]

You want to distract me today, don't you?

As Ted said in that Batman episode, actually HD and MWC went for seasons more with him on the cast. I'd say the dip in quality was more obvious on Happy Days, though.

I wouldn't say I preferred it OVER the Milwaukee seasons, but there was a time where I'd only look forward to the California Laverne and Shirleys. But that last season was a no-go for me from day one.

Match Game with the star wheel and without Richard Dawson.

Like with the CA L&S, I used to wait for the Batgirl episodes of 1966 Batman.

Since there's a fraction of MST3K fans who think every change means it jumped, I'll count it in general. Except for the Netflix episodes.

The Middle episodes where everyone was older.

I don't know if this counts, and it's super local, but the Magic Garden when Flapper joined the cast and Sherlock's tree had a doorbell.

Today's Special when they renovated the store and Muffy got her own apartment.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Apr 27, 2024 14:47:32 GMT -5 Lance Uppercut said:

I saw a post on Facebook about Ted McGinley and how every show he was on were on their last legs by the time he got there. But quite preferred the Jefferson era. Just embraced the wackiness and trashiness over the more subdued Steve and Marcy. The show just got meaner and weirder, and I was all for it

This was going to be my answer when I read your thread title.

MWC with Jefferson is much, much better and funnier. I think the switch helped sustain the show. When it first started, Marcy and Steve were newlyweds, so it explains why their in the neighborhood. They dreamed of more and were snobbish. Jefferson explains why Marcy remains there, he's dragging her down. Also, he's a much better compliment to Al as a character.

[The Ichi]

The general consensus seems to be that The Walking Dead sucked after the 5th season, but that run between late S7 and S10 is honestly my favourite.

[thechase]

Modern Doctor Who after the Timeless Child has some bangers afterwards, particularly Jodie's finale and the 60th anniversary specials. A lot of fun.

And for Classic Doctor Who, some fans will argue it jumps the shark at different points, but the majorly criticised John Nathan Turner era, 80s Doctor Who, the era that killed the show, is actually my all time favourite

[thegreatnodnarb]

Family Matters was best to me when it became the Urkel science fiction show.

[ERON]

I don't feel this way anymore, but as a kid I preferred Season 3 of Transformers with Rodimus Prime because it had more of a hard sci-fi edge to it than the more cartoony earlier seasons.

[James Fabiano]

Apr 28, 2024 8:55:07 GMT -5 ERON said:

I don't feel this way anymore, but as a kid I preferred Season 3 of Transformers with Rodimus Prime because it had more of a hard sci-fi edge to it than the more cartoony earlier seasons.

This. Could get darker at times too.

And it had the best version of the theme song.

[thechase]

And "Return of Optimus Prime" is so good it should have been the second movie or at least the REAL series finale and not whatever The Rebirth was.

Marv Wolfman wrote it.

[The Thread Barbi]

I liked Scrappy Doo

*ducks*

[KingPooper]

Apr 28, 2024 13:37:37 GMT -5 The Thread Barbi said:

I liked Scrappy Doo

*ducks*

Dude is a badass.

LET ME AT THEM!!

[CMWaters]

Apr 28, 2024 10:03:53 GMT -5 thechase said:

And "Return of Optimus Prime" is so good it should have been the second movie or at least the REAL series finale and not whatever The Rebirth was.

Marv Wolfman wrote it.

Especially with Galvatron's last line in that episode (which also seemed to hint his insanity was cured):
"There will be no war today, Optimus Prime. You have earned Galvatron's respect."

[horsemen4ever]

Well not really jumping the shark, before people jumped on the band wagon, I always prefer the first 2 seasons of Newhart.

[thechase]

Apr 28, 2024 13:37:37 GMT -5 The Thread Barbi said:

I liked Scrappy Doo

*ducks*

The New Scooby/Scrappy Doo Mysteries and 13 Ghosts are peak Scooby.

Daphne and Shaggy are endgame!

[schma]

Apr 28, 2024 9:10:21 GMT -5 James Fabiano said:

Apr 28, 2024 8:55:07 GMT -5 ERON said:

I don't feel this way anymore, but as a kid I preferred Season 3 of Transformers with Rodimus Prime because it had more of a hard sci-fi edge to it than the more cartoony earlier seasons.

This. Could get darker at times too.

And it had the best version of the theme song.

There was some definite darkness in the first couple seasons too though. When the dinobots were created and rampages due to low intelligence, Optimus had them shut down and sealed up. They only got reactivated to save the automotive. Later, he banished the dinobots to an island until theylearned teamwork. Just straight up don't come back until you figure shit out. Optimus made some pretty harsh choices for a kids show.

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Apr 27, 2024 14:47:32 GMT -5 Lance Uppercut said:

I saw a post on Facebook about Ted McGinley and how every show he was on were on their last legs by the time he got there. But quite preferred the Jefferson era. Just embraced the wackiness and trashiness over the more subdued Steve and Marcy. The show just got meaner and weirder, and I was all for it

Count me in as another one who liked Jefferson more than Steve.

Apr 28, 2024 13:37:37 GMT -5 The Thread Barbi said:

I liked Scrappy Doo

*ducks*

Scrappy saved the franchise, the problem was they had him take over the franchise for awhile.

[Ben Wyatt]

Apr 27, 2024 14:47:32 GMT -5 Lance Uppercut said:

I saw a post on Facebook about Ted McGinley and how every show he was on were on their last legs by the time he got there. But quite preferred the Jefferson era. Just embraced the wackiness and trashiness over the more subdued Steve and Marcy. The show just got meaner and weirder, and I was all for it

The show wouldn't have gone on as long had they not pivoted to the more cartoonish feel. And the Jefferson character was desperately needed for Al to have someone to play off of

[BlackoutCreature]

I'm just gonna say it - I liked Sliders better with Maggie on it. Mostly because Kari Wuhrer was really hot.

[thechase]

Apr 29, 2024 7:02:54 GMT -5 BlackoutCreature said:

I'm just gonna say it - I liked Sliders better with Maggie on it. Mostly because Kari Wuhrer was really hot.

Seasons four and five do admittedly have good episodes

[willywonka666]

I think some think the closest Seinfeld came to jumping the shark was after Larry David left and the stories got wilder, but those are some of my favorites