Why 'Jumping the Shark' has jumped the shark

Occasionally, I like to rant about something that really grinds my gears, and since this is my blog, I'm going to rant away.

Today, I saw something that is extremely common on any forum talking about a TV show, and that is the phrase "jump the shark." I've defined the phrase before, and talked about its origins, but here's a refresher: Jumping the Shark is a reference to an old Happy Days episode where someone literally jumps over a shark. The context of the scene is so bizarre and out of context and character for the show, it signifies the moment in which the show lost its grip on the characters and the world around them.

Now, it's a phrase that is meant for TV shows, so normally, that phrase is ok, but I saw it three times, thrown around all nimbly bimbly with no reguard to actually using it correctly. Let me state right now, the term is not for when you don't like an episode, it isn't for when the plot seems simple, it isn't for when the character does something you don't like. I really hate when people just throw the phrase around to show their displeasure at an episode, when really, the show has no signs of losing touch with the characters or the world around them. If you don't like the episode, say why, and maybe offer an idea for what they could've done that you would have liked. Sure, you may still get flamed, but this is the internet, that's what they do. Atleast you won't sound like an idiot using the wrong savy lingo.

Everyone has their opinions, and with TV and film, they are all we have, since the medium is so subjective, but use a little bit of your brains and ask yourself "is this action really out of place for the character, or the world around them" and if it is, then whip out the jumping of the shark proudly, but if not, then say you just didn't like the episode, which is your right.