Henry Winkler Stands by Fonzie Jumping the Shark on Happy Days



When talking television, the famous phrase “jumping the shark” is typically seen as a bad thing, usually describing a pivotal moment that happens in a TV show that forever changes it for the worse. Its origins date back to an episode of the classic sitcom Happy Days which featured Henry Winkler as television history’s coolest character, Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. In the season 5 episode “Hollywood: Part 3,” which originally aired in 1977, Fonzie literally jumps a shark with water skis after he was challenged to do so, feeling too proud of himself to decline the dangerous stunt.

In subsequent years, critics and TV viewers have associated “jumping the shark” with the biggest creative mistakes made by television series writers. Looking back on the origins of the phrase and his personal involvement, Winkler spoke about the trope in a new interview on The Rich Eisen Show. Winkler explained that the idea came from the Happy Days writers putting the scene into the script after learning that he was an experienced water skier. He happened to mention this fact to the show’s creatives and before he knew it, the shark-jumping scene was in the show.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

“All of a sudden, I’m water-skiing. We ripped the lining out of the jacket, and I did all of the water skiing except for the jump. They wouldn’t let me do a stunt, because if you get hurt, then that’s that. I pull up on the beach, I let go of the rope, I step out of the skis, and I go, ‘Eyyy, look at that!’ And I’m smiling. If you watch the scene, half of that smile is the Fonz going, ‘Hey, I did it.’ And the other half is Henry going, ‘I can’t believe you did it!'”

Related: These Are the Best Ron Howard Films, Ranked

Happy Days Inspired the Famous Phrase

Winkler then explains how the actual phrase “jumping the shark” was specifically coined by broadcaster Jon Hein and his roommate in the 1980s; Hein later created the website JumpTheShark.com, which compiled hundreds of examples of times different television shows had “jumped the shark,” though the site is no longer online and now redirects users to TV Guide’s official website.

The phrase became a pop culture phenomenon, but it’s never bothered Winkler that it has continued to call attention back to his own jumping-the-shark moment, even if it’s mostly because he thinks he looked great while doing it. He also points to the continued success of Happy Days after that episode to demonstrate that it didn’t hurt the sitcom to include that scene, even if it inspired a phrase with a negative connotation.

“People say, ‘How did you feel, that this phrase, jump the shark (took off)?’ Every time they mentioned it, and it was in the newspaper, they had a picture of me water-skiing. AT that time, I had great legs. So, I didn’t care for one minute. We were No. 1 for five years after that, what did I care that there was a phrase? F— ’em.”

Perhaps the one person who can effectively get away with jumping the shark, even if it’s done literally, is the Fonz.

You can view the original article HERE.

N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards