Jumping The Shark
Before getting onto the list, it's best to clarify the term 'jumping the shark'. In definition, it is "a defining moment when you know that your favourite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on it's all downhill. From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same." The term is taken from an episode of "The Happy Days" when the Fonz, who typically jumped over various objects on his motorcycle, decided to water-ski over a shark, leading viewers to believe that the writers had ran out of stories to tell. For a show like "The Simpsons", that has been on the air for 16 seasons spanning approximately 350 episodes, it is difficult to pick out such a 'defining moment.' Instead, I have selected defining episodes. They're not necessarily the worst episodes ever, in fact, some of them could be your favourites. Instead, they are episodes that pushed the limits or exceeded the boundry in one way or another that would soon become a standard or staple of the show, that together accounted for the jumping of the shark. Here are the episodes in chronological order.Homer Goes to College - Season 5
Conan O'Brien's third and final penned episode is a personal favourite of mine, and a definite 'love it or hate it' among Simpsons fans. While it's humour, a nice blend of site gags and cultural references, was on par with the show's peak, it was Homer's "jerkass" antics that gave viewers a frightened glimpse of things to come. Season 4 episodes like "A Streetcar Named Marge", "Homer the Heretic", and "Duffless" had concreted Homer's dimwit nature, but above all else, it reinforced his values and sincere love for his family - even if it took until the end of the episode for him to figure it out. Homer Goes to College displayed Homer's edgier side, and although it was covered up by an endless supply of laughs, Homer's IQ would never be the same.
Homerpalooza - Season 7
Homerpalooza didn't have any glaring flaws or even an above average number of failed gags. What it did have, is Homer going off on a wacky adventure and a bunch of guest stars joining on. While that tagline became an unwelcome staple of the show in later seasons, this episode was generally well-received. It may have felt odd at the time that Homer wasn't punching in a 9-5 at the Nuclear Power Plant but the error wasn't doted upon and again, humour filled up the void. Nevertheless, Homerpalooza started a chain reaction of 'odd jobs' for Homer, who has spent more time rubbing elbows with celebrities than working at his full-time job at the Plant.
Simpsons Spinoff Showcase - Season 8
It was an original idea, a THOH-like setup, and three separate satirical spoofs. But by the end of the episode, all you could really say was 'unfunny'. The Spinoff Showcase, though meant to be cheesy and stereotypical, pulls off few laughs, and is capped off by a horrendous Brady Bunch Variety Hour segment that breaks the barrier between what's funny, and what's eye rolling. Although it had its moments (mainly in the first act with Chief Wiggum and Principal Skinner), the Simpsons had travelled into foreign territory - it just wasn't funny.
Homer's Enemy - Season 8
Three years after Homer Goes to College had shocked fans as to just how distasteful Homer could be, he sunk to a new low. The gradual changes in his character, that had been shrugged off or ignored, had become painfully clear. Homer's Enemy highlighted his glaring irresponsibility, complete lack of professionalism, and above all else his disregard for others. Homer had never been a gentleman, but in this episode, Homer lost a sincerity and realism that he would never get back.
Principal and the Pauper - Season 9
The Principal and the Pauper, an episode in which Principal Skinner is revealed to be an impostor named Armin Tamzarian, united Simpsons fans at the start of season 9 when it was wholeheartedly agreed upon as the 'worst episode ever'. For some, that still remains true. This time, it wasn't Homer's shrewd antics that ticked off fans but rather the realization that maybe the writers have ran out of ideas, or worse yet, maybe they've given up altogether. Earlier in the series' run the silly plot may have been covered up by humour, but alas, laughter was not the best medicine. Luckily, the following week's episode "Lisa's Sax" restored hope with loyal viewers, who hoped that "The Principal and the Pauper" was just a glitch on the radar screen.
Bart Carny - Season 9
Season 9 had trudged along hit or miss until Bart Carny interrupted the contradictory, yet fairly smooth flow. Another poor storyline was executed even poorer, with each act posing a new ridiculous, unrealistic, and unfunny predicament for the Simpsons. Bart and an increasingly childish Homer pair up to become carny's (what happened to the Nuclear Plant again?) and by the end of the episode they're trying to win back their house from swindlers. Bart Carny stretched reality again, and this time it had a 'quick third act wrap-up' that made the experience ever-more bitter.
Lost Our Lisa - Season 9
Lost Our Lisa, the second last episode of season 9, was the first of the season to feature Homer and Lisa, and it seemed as if the father-daughter formula that had worked so well in episodes like "Lisa's Pony", and "Lisa the Iconoclast" would finally be utilized. Unfortunately, like many of its season 9 predecessors, "Lost Our Lisa" had a confusing and spontaneous storyline, made worse by an unneeded and poorly written subplot. The episode tried to be emotional and heartfelt, but Homer's character, that could be sympathized with in "Lisa the Greek" or "Bart the Daredevil", had lost his genuine fathering touch. Homer had never been a cartoon Bill Cosby, but it was his struggle to still try to be a good father figure that was the essence of his authenticity, of his deep connection with the audience. Nine years into the series, Homer was finally artificial, and this time, no 'end of the episode quick fix' could change that.
Homer Simpson: In Kidney Trouble - Season 10
After season 9 had questioned fans as to the condition of their favourite cartoon family, it seemed as if in one way or the other, season 10 would decide whether the previous year had simply been made disjointed by three different sets of executive producers, or if Fox's primetime success story was indeed slipping to mere mortal status. Early in season 10, the answer became painfully clear in the utterly tasteless display of "Homer Simpson: In Kidney Trouble". The plot, which mixed insincerity, genuine love, and genuine stupidity in the worst way possible, combined for the most sickening episode of the entire series, and remains the lowest Homer's character has ever sunk. After his stupidity causes Granpa's kidney's to explode, Homer refuses to donate one of his own, and runs away from the hospital twice which leads him on a depressing and aimless adventure around Springfield. This wasn't the same father that swiftly patched up two family problems in "Lisa's Substitute" nor the man who took on two jobs so that his daughter would love him. He was now a 2-dimensional stereotype, whose morals and integrity had been stripped, making any sort of emulation or sympathy towards him obsolete. The show's protagonist was no longer likeable.
Saddlesore Galactica - Season 11
Once season 10 had confirmed fans' deepest fears, their apprehension became geared to a new question - where does it go from here? In season 11, widely agreed upon as the worst season in the cartoon's illustrious on-air career, many episodes would be obvious selections for the 'worst episodes list', but only one jumps the shark any further than in previous seasons. No, Homer wasn't doing something stupid and continuity wasn't being disturbed by any more impostors. If you haven't guessed, I'm talking about the elf-like jockeys who live underground and dress up as humans to win horse races, and who try to kill Bart and Homer when they win the Kentucky Durby. This time it wasn't just a zany plot that aroused frustration, but rather a complete step out of reality. Anytown, USA all of a sudden seemed a lot less relatable.
Although primarily in season 9, the transformation of "The Simpsons" from brilliance to average lasted approximately seven years before a slight recession eased the pain. Homer still isn't the character that Matt Groening intended him to be in 1987, but maybe, he never truly was. "Jerkass" Homer still shows up from time to time, celebrities continue to advertise themselves through guest appearances, the humour isn't close to its razor sharp edge that earned a cult following in the mid-90's, and the Simpson family's portrait as a typical American family isn't completely comparable. To date, no show has ever jumped backwards over the shark to reverse the downwards spiral and return to former glory. Maybe it's best for "The Simpsons" to end quietly, but with dignity, before any of these unfortunate milestone episodes adds another scratch to an unparalleled legacy.
By Jason LevyLegal Notice and Disclaimer: "The Simpsons" TM and FOX and its related companies. All rights reserved. This site, its operators, and any content on this site relating to The Simpsons are not authorized by FOX.
