American Idol 6: Does Melinda’s Elimination Mean Idol Has Jumped the Shark

I’ve noticed that the phrase “jumped the shark” has been tossed around a lot this season when it comes to American Idol. Even at the very beginning of the season, people were saying it. Frankly, I didn’t understand it. To me, jumping the shark harkens back to its original meaning, when Fonzie on Happy Days actually did jump some sharks. That is how the term was created, and it was meant to indicate that a TV show had gone too far and was on its way downhill.

The website JumpTheShark.com, where they say they invented the phrase (I have no reason to doubt them), defines the term as, “A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on… it’s all downhill.” And they list various different ways it’s possible for a show to jump the shark: same character/new actor, birth, death, very special episode, having a live episode, etc.

But how could American Idol have done something like that? They didn’t make contestants do stunts or get married to each other or the like. American Idol is pretty much the same today as it was five years ago. There have been a few minor rule changes dealing with age and the way finalists are determined, but other than that, not much is different.

So how can all these writers claim the show has jumped the shark? Easy – they don’t know what they’re talking about. I think “jumping the shark” has become an overused phrase and those using it now may not even know what the heck they’re talking about.

I find it especially amusing that the term has been used throughout the season, though with more people applying it now that Melinda has been voted off. Why did they use it earlier? Because ratings are down? American Idol is a monster – ratings could pretty much only go in one direction. And now they’re saying it because the contestant many perceived as the best singer was voted off. As I’ve spent a couple other articles describing (see Melinda’s Departure and Conspiracy Theories and Was Melinda’s Exit the Season’s “Shocking Result”?), these results can be explained. Some people might not like it, but there it is.

Every time there is what people deem to be a shocking result, some people vow they are never watching the show again. But you know what? Most do. And those who don’t can’t even make a dent in the ratings. (No, the ratings drop this year was not caused by angry former fans.)

And it’s not just fans, but those in the media covering it. For example, New York magazine suggested, “As if Sanjaya Malakar's longevity on American Idol this season didn't drive the point home, Melinda Doolittle's elimination last night proved it: This year's voters prize personality over pipes.” Where the hell have they been? Do they not remember all the way back to the first season – Nikki McKibbin beating Tamyra Gray? Apparently not. This is nothing new!

So no, American Idol has not jumped the shark. There has been no dramatic change. One person was voted off, just like happens every week. Melinda Doolittle is a very good singer who will certainly recover nicely – just like last year’s fourth-place finisher, Chris Daughtry. All is fine in the world.