Top 10 Shows That Have NEVER Jumped The Shark - Yet

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

When the tough talking heartthrob Arthur Fonzarelli (The Fonz) took on a Great White Shark by jumping over it on water skis, the stunt signaled the demise of Happy Days. Fonzie appeared only sporadically in the first season, but the character eventually overran the show due to his popularity with viewers. Since then, anytime a TV series hits its peak, the resultant downhill slide is known as “Jumping the Shark.”

However, a recent visit to JumpTheShark.com reveals that peaking out is not necessarily the fate of every TV program. Here’s a list of the 10 top current shows that have yet to Jump the Shark. And our totally meaningless predictions as to whether or not they can hold on to that coveted status until they end their run. And you can watch ‘em all on Fancast.

10. 30 Rock: Told through the comedic voice of Tina Fey and featuring Alec Baldwin along with Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock took top honors at the 2007 Emmy Awards and lead the way at this year’s nominations. After only two years on the air, it’s too soon to tell if all that success will catch up to them. Odds: 10 to 1

9. 24: Hasn’t the world ended yet? Due to the Writer’s Guild strike earlier this year, it nearly did for Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland.) The interrupted season will continue next year, but a 2 hour prequel is on tap for the Fall. Odds: 8 to 1

8. House: Have you ever met that brilliant guy who’s so snide and demeaning that you have to love him anyway? Neither have I. But apparently, the staff at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital are from another world. Grumbling in the blogosphere indicates that Hugh Laurie has worn out his welcome already. But the 2-part finale that aired last month revalidated his status as the grumpy Marcus Welby and breathed new life into the show. Odds: 8 to 2

7. King of the Hill: It’s hard to imagine Hank Hill on water skis, what with his redneck suntan and all. But Mike Judge should have better luck sustaining the conventional lives of the folks from Arlen than he did with the outrageous Beavis and Butthead. Odds: 9 to 1

6. Heroes: You didn’t have to tell Fonzi that by saving the cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere) he would save the world. And after the mind-blowing success of the first two seasons, the rest of us know it too. Now we’re set for a third round, promising us a new cast of villainous characters with a lot more on their minds than world domination. Can’t wait ’til September! Odds: 10 to 2

5. Family Guy: Even if fans don’t believe the show, created by Seth MacFarlane, has lost its steam, it seems the Network Execs did. 3 times. But gigantic DVD sales and public outcry convinced them to step up and do their duty. He He He He. I said duty. Odds: 9 to 1

4. The Shield: Hang in there Mackey! Only one more year ’til retirement. I wouldn’t want to walk the beat with this corrupt cop with the golden heart (Michael Chiklis) but chances are good he and the team at The Barn will be buying The Farm for good come May 2009. Odds: 5 to 1

3. South Park: Outraging and delighting viewers since its debut in 1997, it was recently announced that the show’s creators (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) will continue on through the 2011 season. Only then will we hear the cry: Oh my God! They killed South Park! Odds 100 to 1

2. Monk: Unlike his OCD afflicted character, Tony Shalhoub has never been afraid to try something new. But even he was surprised at the success of the show which made him an overnight sensation after toiling away at quirky roles for years. As Monk would say, “It’s a gift, and a curse.” Odds: A million to one

1. The Simpsons: The most baffling entry on the list due to the fact that even the show’s creator (Matt Groening) seems to believe the glory days are long gone. Why else would Homer jump Springfield Gorge? Odds: 3 to 5 (with good behavior).