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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Jumping the Shark” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 22192 of the collection, and the 157th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Jumping the Shark” meme mean?
This phrase describes the inevitable degradation of a popular franchise. It expresses disappointment when content sacrifices its core identity for spectacular or absurd gimmicks. People use it when a story becomes unbelievable, indicating that the best era is over and relevance has been replaced by sensationalism.
Where does the “Jumping the Shark” meme come from?
The image stems from the “Hollywood: Part 3” episode of *Happy Days*, aired on September 20, 1977. Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, jumps over a shark while water skiing. This scene symbolized the creative end of the sitcom. In 1985, Jon Hein and Sean Connolly, students at the University of Michigan, theorized this concept during an undated discussion. They sought to identify when their favorite shows began to decline. On December 24, 1997, Hein launched JumpTheShark.com to catalog these moments via user participation. The site cemented the expression as a universal metaphor for artistic downfall.
- 1977Airing of the Happy Days episode featuring the water skiing shark jump.
- 1985Creation of the concept by Jon Hein and Sean Connolly at the University of Michigan.
- 1997Official launch of the JumpTheShark.com website by Jon Hein.
How to use the “Jumping the Shark” meme
- Use this card to criticize a forced reboot that betrays the original spirit of the franchise.
- Apply it in conversation to point out that a beloved character has lost all narrative credibility.
- Employ it to ironically comment on a desperate marketing campaign trying to regain audience attention.
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The “Jumping the Shark” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22192 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes World series 74 |
| Fame | 61/100 · #157 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Jumping the Shark” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Jumping the Shark comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Jumping the Shark”
More cards of the Memes World series 74
Frequently asked questions
What does jumping the shark mean?
It is an expression describing the quality drop of a TV series or work. It marks the shift from coherent content to something forced and absurd.
Who created jumping the shark?
Jon Hein and Sean Connolly coined the expression in 1985. They were studying at the University of Michigan when they theorized this cultural decline phenomenon.
Where does jumping the shark come from?
It takes its name from a cult scene in *Happy Days* in 1977. Fonzie jumps over a shark while water skiing, symbolizing the end of the show's creativity.
When was jumptheshark.com launched?
The website was published on December 24, 1997. Jon Hein created it to allow fans to list the decline moments of their favorite series.
How do I get the Jumping the Shark meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Jumping the Shark” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Jumping the Shark card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Jumping the shark - Wikipedia · Rickrolling (2007) · The Evolution of the Meme · checked on October 17, 2026.
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