(For those rejoining my ramblings after a rather unfortunate prolonged absence, 'Elsewhere' posts are me writing about writing. Specifically, it is me whinging and griping about how being an amateur author has made me jaded to many other plot devices in the mass media.)

"Jumping the shark" is a 'new cool way' to say, "That show has lost the magic." Tracing the origin of that phrase leads to the TV show "Happy Days." Yes, Henry Winkler and Ron Howard. The show ran from 1974 to 1984, and the infamous episode where Fonzie literally jumps a shark was the 5th season opening triple-sode.

First moral - even after a show loses its spark, it dies a slow and lingering death.

M*A*S*H ran from 1972 to 1983. It probably had a few more years left in it, but the shows producers wanted to "go out while they were on top." I remember that final episode, and the newspaper coverage the next day. The New York Water Department registered the highest number of toilets flushing immediately after that final episode ended.

Second moral - no show is ever mandated to jump said shark.

Everyone is talking about Twilight, the book / movie / marketing juggernaut. Yes, another vampire series. Anne Rice didn't create the genre, but she infused it with a sensuality (and, admit it, sexuality) it has never since shed.

I haven't read Twilight or its siblings. I plowed through Interview and ilk because a role-playing game flared onto the scene utilizing that genre and my group drew to it. I can't say I enjoyed them - I was reading primarily for research.

Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Slayer series I did enjoy, at least the first n books. At some point, I tired of the whole triumvirate sub-plot and glaze-eyed through those segments. The rest of the happenings weren't too bad, though I sensed a growing dissatisfaction as I read.

I forgot who, but one friend coalesced those feelings into that realization when he said, "How many people can say, 'Have you ever killed a god?'"

I don't begrudge the author her success. The books are quite good, and many people find them engaging enough to keep buying them. I just don't happen to be one of that multitude.

Moral three - Jumping the shark, while originally a television phenomenon, is not restricted to video media.

Moral the fourth - One person's retread is another person's passion.

What's the point? I don't know. I originally wanted to complain about some television shows, and this all spewed forth.

Maybe some later time I'll indulge my inner curmudgeon.