by Ron James

Created on: November 17, 2010

I am shaking my head in dismay at the travesty that just unfolded in my living room.

ABC jumped the shark – again. This time it was a dancing shark.

In fact, it was the American Broadcasting System that was responsible for the phrase “jump the shark” in the first place. For those of you who may not know the origin of the term, it goes back to the days of one of ABC's earlier ratings blockbusters, “Happy Days.”

The show was in its fifth season and ratings were still strong despite a lot of changes. But the producers kept searching for ways to push the envelope in an effort to expand the audience. So, in the third part of a three-parter called “Hollywood,” Fonzie is visiting Los Angeles where, in answer to a challenge to his courage, he dons a pair of swimming trunks and water skis and, clad in his trademark leather jacket and flashing his patented “thumbs up,” he jumps over a shark.

It was a ridiculous moment. It was a moment of obvious desperation for ratings. From then on, to “jump the shark” referred to the point at which a popular television show went past its peak and started resorting to stunt programming.

Tonight, the phenomenally popular Dancing With the Stars jumped the shark.

DWTS is billed as a dancing competition in which celebrities are paired with professional dancers to vie for the championship title and “mirrorball trophy.”

According to a definition found on Wikipedia, dancers involved in competitive dancing are “judged by diverse criteria such as poise, the hold or frame, posture, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and shape, floor craft, foot and leg action, and presentation.”

A popularity contest, on the other hand, requires no talent. One just has to garner sufficient votes in order to win. Participants in popularity contests have even been known to bribe and cheat their way to victory.

Such is the case with Bristol Palin, the DWTS resident shark.

I questioned her inclusion as a “star” to begin with. Her claim to fame is nebulous at best Her mother is the “star.” Without Mom, Bristol would be just another unwed teen mother. If the inability to keep one's legs together at a critical moment qualifies one for stardom, we live in a teeming galaxy, indeed.

And because she had no credibility as a legitimate “star,” ABC had to gin up the “Teen Activist” nonsense that poor Tom Bergeron had to choke

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