Magnum Jumped the Shark ...discuss...

Message

Kwanzaa · #1 Post by **Kwanzaa** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:40 am

I believe MPI jumped the shark with the whole 'death, no it was a coma and he helped Michelle telepathically to avoid the killers' nonsense. Seasons 7 & 8, while handled pretty well, were an example of Jumping the Shark IMHO. Bringing in the daughter also counts, as does re-upping, and TC getting back together with the ex, and Rick marrying a hooker... PREDICTABLE!

I love the show and I know I am treading on dangerous ground but let's be honest. Our favorite show jumped!

Enjoy.

N1095A · #2 Post by **N1095A** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:37 am

I vote no for one simple reason. Plausibility. On any other show this would have been hoaky, and jumping the shark. MPI did it in such a way to make it believable with a reasonal amount of suspension of disbelief. By your definition, MPI would have jumped with "Mac's Back", but again, they pulled it off. Sorry, No jump.

Kwanzaa · #3 Post by **Kwanzaa** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:09 am

Oh yea, Mac/Jim Bonnick/Father Jim/Joe Travis is another fine example of a little skipping over the great white! Thanks.

Anyone else?

Carmen · #4 Post by **Carmen** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:54 am

After rereading the "Ranking of the seasons"thread I guess this discussion is pretty unnecessary

IKnowWhatYoureThinking · Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:38 pm

I believe hinting Magnum Jumped the Shark is blasphemy!

Tom_Magnum · #6 Post by **Tom_Magnum** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:28 pm

What? Magnum never jumped the shark!

#7 Post by **Doc Ibold** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:32 pm

My take is that Magnum never really "jumped the shark", but if you HAD to define a point, it would probably be season 6. After that, Season 7 got things pretty much back on track....

Lily, TC's family, and Rick marrying Cleo, I wouldn't classify as jumping the shark... but rather that they had some loose ends to tie up.

Now, if they had TC and his son going on a fishing trip and getting marooned, or Higgins having some crazy party, then yes... it would have jumped the shark.

#8 Post by **ConchRepublican** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:08 pm

Kwanzaa wrote:Oh yea, Mac/Jim Bonnick/Father Jim/Joe Travis is another fine example of a little skipping over the great white! Thanks.

Anyone else?

That VERY easily could have been, maybe even should have been, a jump the shark moment, but it shows the quality of the show and the writers that it wasn't.

Plus, I think the circumstances had something to do with it. Jeff didn't leave because of a sweeps week plot device, he was moving on to another show which would give him more screetime (money) while working with the same producer. They worked his death into the plot extremely well. When they had the chance to get him back, they found a way to add him that worked. It wasn't great, but it was good to see him back and part of the quirks of the "Magnum-verse".

Tom_Magnum · #9 Post by **Tom_Magnum** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:17 pm

I agree with Doc Ibold. He has summed up all the points I basically wanted to say.

arri · #10 Post by **arri** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:48 pm

I don't think the death/comma was jumping at all. In the context of true jumping...I didn't get that. I do, however, think Mac returning is very close
I liked the character of Jim, but I wished they didn't use the same actor (MacKay) for the roles. It was just too close for comfort and Magnum's interaction with Jim was strange. McKayplayed both characters very similiar. It wasn't as bad as the professor being able to build a fully functional radio out of bamboo and coconuts...yet not being able to patch the SS minow...

"Limbo" Mac was supposedly TM's great friend and TM was not very warm to seeing him...Mac constantly eating and stuff...a little hookey and borderline jumping if we are honest.

Loved the show, one of my favorites...but....

#11 Post by **ConchRepublican** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:46 pm

arri wrote:"Limbo" Mac was supposedly TM's great friend and TM was not very warm to seeing him...Mac constantly eating and stuff...a little hookey and borderline jumping if we are honest.

Loved the show, one of my favorites...but....

Don't go there . . .

Frodoleader · #12 Post by **Frodoleader** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:19 pm

I don't think it really jumped with the Mac/Bonnick character. It made perfect sense to me when they brought Jeff McKay back, after "Gold Monkey" was cancelled. So for me, there was no eye-rolling to indicate a "shark jump".

Steve · #13 Post by **Steve** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:59 pm

I don't think it ever Jumped The Shark....My definition of JTS is when a show goes to obvious lengths and off the path to gain an audience back, or gain a new audience. Many shows would do something like adding a cute (but nauseating) kid to the mix that was a sure kiss of death. Magnum, pi did it right by having the Lilly character be a mystery, then a revelation, then a heartbreak, and finally ending the series with a reunion....Thats how you do it in my book..........

SelleckLover · #14 Post by **SelleckLover** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:16 pm

Sorry! I can't say Magnum EVER jumped the shark.

#15 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:23 pm

Ted McGinley was never in a MPI episode, so, no, it didn't "jump the shark"!

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