New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
The Associated Press
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.
MOVIES
— LeBron James leads the Tunes against the Goons in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” a sequel to the 1996 movie that had Michael Jordan headlining with Bugs Bunny. Director Malcolm D. Lee didn’t necessarily feel beholden to that first movie though. “I didn’t feel like, ‘Oh, I have to pay homage to that movie.’” It was more about the long legacy of the Looney Tunes more so than that particular film,” he told the AP earlier this year. It’ll be available on HBO Max free for subscribers for 31 days starting Friday, as well as in theaters. Lee said it was the “epitome of a popcorn movie” and even got the stamp of approval from what he says is the toughest audience of all: His 12-year-old son.
— Over on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, “Pose” star Billy Porter plays a non-binary Fairy Godparent named Fab G in the latest version of “Cinderella.” Pop star Camilla Cabello stars as the glass slipper-wearer and Idina Menzel plays the stepmother. Naturally, both are providing original songs for the soundtrack. It’s a stacked cast, too, with Minnie Driver as the queen, Pierce Brosnan as the king, and James Corden and John Mulaney as the mice/footmen. And it was written and directed by Kay Cannon, who wrote the “Pitch Perfect” movies.
— Netflix is closing out its ambitious “Fear Street” trilogy this Friday with the premiere of “Fear Street: 1666” which traces the curse of Shadyside, Ohio back to witch trials. If you’re just hearing about the series now, don’t worry, you’re not far behind. The first two, set around supernatural events in Shadyside in 1994 and 1978, only just debuted over the past two weeks. Janiak told the AP that the series doesn’t necessarily need to be “binged,” but that re-watches will reveal some fun Easter eggs.
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
MUSIC
— John Mayer returns with his first album since 2017’s “The Search For Everything.” The new one is cheekily titled “Sob Rock” and the singer-songwriter-guitarist explores the often maligned genre of soft rock. “Last Train Home,” the superb first single, features Maren Morris on background vocals and has Mayer wielding his axe like Eric Clapton. Don Was helped produce the album and the cover has Mayer in a very ’80s pose, a little “Miami Vice” mixed with Richard Marx.
— The “Space Jam” sequel isn’t only for your eyes. The 16-track soundtrack is packed with new music, like 24kGoldn’s “Control the World” featuring Lil Wayne, the Jonas Brothers’ “Mercy,” and Chance the Rapper’s “See Me Fly” featuring John Legend and Symba. There’s also Lil Uzi Vert’s take on “Pump Up the Jam,” Legend’s “Crowd Go Crazy,” BROCKHAMPTON’s “MVP,” Big Freedia’s “Goin’ Looney,” Leon Bridges’ “My Guy” and Anthony Ramos’ “The Best.”
— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
TELEVISION
— The always top-notch Guy Pearce is back for the big finish of “Jack Irish,” the Australian crime thriller in which he plays a former criminal lawyer now dabbling in debt collection and trouble. In the four-episode final season debuting Monday on the Acorn TV streaming service, Jack confronts his past — including the violent death of his wife by a former client. Along for the difficult ride are characters from earlier “Jack Irish” seasons and TV movies, among them journalist and ex-girlfriend Linda, played by Marta Dusseldorp; racetrack buff Harry (Roy Billing) and old-school detective Barry Tregear (Shane Jacobson).
— How to mark World Chimpanzee Day on Thursday? Tune in to “Rescued Chimpanzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall” on CuriosityStream, available on TV, desktop and mobile devices. The five-part docuseries delves into Goodall’s extraordinary efforts to rehabilitate chimps saved from illegal wildlife trafficking through the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in the Republic of the Congo. The series promises rare footage of decades of work by the institute and Goodall, who in a statement invited viewers to discover that each chimpanzee has value and “deserves a good, full life.”
— For wrestling fans, the start of normal life after pandemic lockdowns arrives this week with WWE’s return to live events with in-person audiences. A 25-city summer tour starts in Texas with Houston’s “SmackDown,” airing on Fox at 8 p.m. EDT Friday. Next up is “Money in the Bank” in Fort Worth (8 p.m. EDT Sunday on the Peacock streaming service), and “Raw” in Dallas (8 p.m. EDT, USA). One big announced match for Sunday: Bobby Lashley facing Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship.
— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber
___
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
HONS
This combination of photos shows promotional art for the film "Space Jam: A New Legacy," premiering Friday on HBO Max and in theaters, left, and "Sob Rock," the latest album by John Mayer, releasing on Friday. (HBO Max via AP, left, and Columbia via AP)
HONS
This combination of photos shows promotional art for the film "Space Jam: A New Legacy," premiering Friday on HBO Max and in theaters, left, and "Sob Rock," the latest album by John Mayer, releasing on Friday. (HBO Max via AP, left, and Columbia via AP)
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Miller-Milkis Productions
It was an unforgettable day in TV history when “Happy Days” character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli proved himself king of the beach by water-skiing over a shark. Victorious as the moment may have been, it was also a far cry from the show’s otherwise traditional template. Millions of viewers at home were left scratching their heads, already wondering why and how the series had become little more than a showcase for Fonzie’s various antics. “Happy Days” would go on for many more seasons, but with that fateful episode, it had quite literally jumped the shark.
From Fonzie’s singular spectacle, a lasting cultural idiom was thus born. Then and now, a TV series is seen as having “jumped the shark” when it reaches a pointed new low in terms of quality or gimmickry. In many cases, this occurs with either the introduction of a new character or the loss of an old one. It can also take the form of an outrageous plot device, such as Fonzie water-skiing over a shark. Then there are the shows that dip in quality over time and build toward a proverbial death knell or point of no return, after which they’re never quite the same. Anything can happen as long as viewers keep tuning in… until they don’t.
Stacker surveyed the history of popular television and chose 20 shows known for having jumped the shark, in one way or another. Shows are presented in alphabetical order and IMDb user data is presented for reference.
It was an unforgettable day in TV history when “Happy Days” character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli proved himself king of the beach by water-skiing over a shark. Victorious as the moment may have been, it was also a far cry from the show’s otherwise traditional template. Millions of viewers at home were left scratching their heads, already wondering why and how the series had become little more than a showcase for Fonzie’s various antics. “Happy Days” would go on for many more seasons, but with that fateful episode, it had quite literally jumped the shark.
From Fonzie’s singular spectacle, a lasting cultural idiom was thus born. Then and now, a TV series is seen as having “jumped the shark” when it reaches a pointed new low in terms of quality or gimmickry. In many cases, this occurs with either the introduction of a new character or the loss of an old one. It can also take the form of an outrageous plot device, such as Fonzie water-skiing over a shark. Then there are the shows that dip in quality over time and build toward a proverbial death knell or point of no return, after which they’re never quite the same. Anything can happen as long as viewers keep tuning in… until they don’t.
Stacker surveyed the history of popular television and chose 20 shows known for having jumped the shark, in one way or another. Shows are presented in alphabetical order and IMDb user data is presented for reference.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Mayberry Enterprises
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Years on the air: 1960–1968
Beloved deputy sheriff Barney Fife (Don Knotts) departed “The Andy Griffith” toward the end of the fifth season. The first episode without him was called “Opie and the Carnival” and it suffered from his absence. A handful of replacement characters failed to conjure Fife’s particular brand of quirky energy.
Mayberry Enterprises
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Years on the air: 1960–1968
Beloved deputy sheriff Barney Fife (Don Knotts) departed “The Andy Griffith” toward the end of the fifth season. The first episode without him was called “Opie and the Carnival” and it suffered from his absence. A handful of replacement characters failed to conjure Fife’s particular brand of quirky energy.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
David Eick Productions
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Years on the air: 2004–2009
After slowly building a devout fan base, this sci-fi series took things too far in the finale of the third season. In the episode, the identity of the “Final Five” Cylons is revealed in what fans and critics found to be a less than satisfying fashion. An eerie mystery was now as borderline cheesy as bad New Age music—and imploded prior plotlines in the process.
David Eick Productions
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Years on the air: 2004–2009
After slowly building a devout fan base, this sci-fi series took things too far in the finale of the third season. In the episode, the identity of the “Final Five” Cylons is revealed in what fans and critics found to be a less than satisfying fashion. An eerie mystery was now as borderline cheesy as bad New Age music—and imploded prior plotlines in the process.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
CBS Television Network
- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- Years on the air: 1962–1971
Some fans felt this iconic comedy series lost some charm after switching from black-and-white to color in the third season. It didn’t truly jump the shark until the eighth season’s “Manhattan Hillbillies,” however, when the Clampetts head to New York City and viewers found them building a log cabin in the middle of Central Park.
CBS Television Network
- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- Years on the air: 1962–1971
Some fans felt this iconic comedy series lost some charm after switching from black-and-white to color in the third season. It didn’t truly jump the shark until the eighth season’s “Manhattan Hillbillies,” however, when the Clampetts head to New York City and viewers found them building a log cabin in the middle of Central Park.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Paramount Television
- IMDb user rating: 6.7
- Years on the air: 1969–1974
Hoping to revitalize viewer interest, this comedy series introduced a new character halfway through the show's fifth and final season. His name was Cousin Oliver and he caused a string of mishaps wherever he went, peeving the Bradys and their fans. The term “Cousin Oliver Syndrome” was coined soon after, referring to a show bringing on a fresh face in a desperate ratings grab.
Paramount Television
- IMDb user rating: 6.7
- Years on the air: 1969–1974
Hoping to revitalize viewer interest, this comedy series introduced a new character halfway through the show's fifth and final season. His name was Cousin Oliver and he caused a string of mishaps wherever he went, peeving the Bradys and their fans. The term “Cousin Oliver Syndrome” was coined soon after, referring to a show bringing on a fresh face in a desperate ratings grab.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Lorimar Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7
- Years on the air: 1978–1991
This soapy drama killed off its main character Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) in the season 8 finale—or so viewers thought. It turned out that his death and thus the entire ninth season was all just a dream. The shocking twist was revealed in the season 10 premiere and made for one of TV’s most seminal jumping the shark moments.
This soapy drama killed off its main character Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) in the season 8 finale—or so viewers thought. It turned out that his death and thus the entire ninth season was all just a dream. The shocking twist was revealed in the season 10 premiere and made for one of TV’s most seminal jumping the shark moments.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Showtime Networks
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Years on the air: 2006–2021
This Showtime smash kept viewers glued to the screen for the first four seasons before dropping in quality. Most fans would agree that it didn’t jump the shark until Dexter’s sister discovered his shocking secret at the end of the sixth season. Just when things looked like they couldn’t get any worse, the original series finale declared, “Hold my beer.”
Showtime Networks
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Years on the air: 2006–2021
This Showtime smash kept viewers glued to the screen for the first four seasons before dropping in quality. Most fans would agree that it didn’t jump the shark until Dexter’s sister discovered his shocking secret at the end of the sixth season. Just when things looked like they couldn’t get any worse, the original series finale declared, “Hold my beer.”
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Tandem Productions
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Years on the air: 1978–1986
In the season 6 two-parter “Hooray for Hollywood,” Mr. Drummond takes the family to Los Angeles with the hope of winning back a woman named Maggie. They discover that she has a young son named Sam, who audiences never warmed up to. He became a series fixture nevertheless and a point of no return by proxy.
Tandem Productions
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Years on the air: 1978–1986
In the season 6 two-parter “Hooray for Hollywood,” Mr. Drummond takes the family to Los Angeles with the hope of winning back a woman named Maggie. They discover that she has a young son named Sam, who audiences never warmed up to. He became a series fixture nevertheless and a point of no return by proxy.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Carnival Film & Television
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Years on the air: 2010–2015
Even at the height of “Downton Abbey” mania, this acclaimed British drama exhibited its fair share of “jump the shark” moments. Some critics point to Matthew Crawley's spontaneous recovery from a brutal injury in series 2 as being fairly ludicrous. Most think the series 4 finale is when the show became a bit too silly for its own good.
Carnival Film & Television
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Years on the air: 2010–2015
Even at the height of “Downton Abbey” mania, this acclaimed British drama exhibited its fair share of “jump the shark” moments. Some critics point to Matthew Crawley's spontaneous recovery from a brutal injury in series 2 as being fairly ludicrous. Most think the series 4 finale is when the show became a bit too silly for its own good.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
John Wells Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Years on the air: 1994–2009
An alternate term for “jumped the shark” might be “crashed the helicopter,” if this medical drama is anything to go by. No stranger to gimmicks, "ER" featured a stupefying helicopter explosion in the season 10 episode “Freefall.” Dr. Robert Romano—who’d lost an arm to a helicopter blade just one season earlier—was killed in the accident.
John Wells Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Years on the air: 1994–2009
An alternate term for “jumped the shark” might be “crashed the helicopter,” if this medical drama is anything to go by. No stranger to gimmicks, "ER" featured a stupefying helicopter explosion in the season 10 episode “Freefall.” Dr. Robert Romano—who’d lost an arm to a helicopter blade just one season earlier—was killed in the accident.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Home Box Office
- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- Years on the air: 2011–2019
A perennial darling of pop culture, HBO’s epic fantasy series divided fans throughout its run. With the premiere of season 8 came a more universal form of disappointment, as the show continued to drift from the source material. Misguided plot choices built to a truly disastrous finale.
A perennial darling of pop culture, HBO’s epic fantasy series divided fans throughout its run. With the premiere of season 8 came a more universal form of disappointment, as the show continued to drift from the source material. Misguided plot choices built to a truly disastrous finale.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Shondaland
- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- Years on the air: 2005–present
This long-running medical drama has experienced all kinds of highs and lows over the years. An ambitious season 7 musical episode called “Song Beneath the Song” is every bit as cringe-inducing as it sounds. Call it one of many times this series has jumped the shark, only to subsequently regain its footing.
Shondaland
- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- Years on the air: 2005–present
This long-running medical drama has experienced all kinds of highs and lows over the years. An ambitious season 7 musical episode called “Song Beneath the Song” is every bit as cringe-inducing as it sounds. Call it one of many times this series has jumped the shark, only to subsequently regain its footing.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Miller-Milkis Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Years on the air: 1974–1984
The idiom “jumping the shark” was coined after Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) literally jumped a shark in the season 5 episode “Hollywood: Part 3.” Rocking water skis and his signature leather jacket, the Fonz veered the show further away from its nostalgic origins. Approximately 30 million viewers tuned into the event.
Miller-Milkis Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Years on the air: 1974–1984
The idiom “jumping the shark” was coined after Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) literally jumped a shark in the season 5 episode “Hollywood: Part 3.” Rocking water skis and his signature leather jacket, the Fonz veered the show further away from its nostalgic origins. Approximately 30 million viewers tuned into the event.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Screen Gems Television
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Years on the air: 1965–1970
According to this show’s own built-in mythology, a genie loses her powers after getting married. That didn’t stop Jeannie and Maj. Anthony Nelson from tying the knot in the fifth season episode “The Wedding.” Often perceived as a response to moral standards of the time, it still marked a relative low point for the classic series.
Screen Gems Television
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Years on the air: 1965–1970
According to this show’s own built-in mythology, a genie loses her powers after getting married. That didn’t stop Jeannie and Maj. Anthony Nelson from tying the knot in the fifth season episode “The Wedding.” Often perceived as a response to moral standards of the time, it still marked a relative low point for the classic series.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Poppy Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Years on the air: 2014–2019
The romance between Jane (Gina Rodriguez) and her husband Michael (Brett Dier) comes to a screeching halt when he dies in the season 3 episode “Chapter 54.” Rather than deal with the emotional ramifications, the show dialed up its telenovela-style qualities. Things only got more ridiculous from that point on—including the discovery in the finale of season 4 that Michael wasn't dead, after all.
Poppy Productions
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Years on the air: 2014–2019
The romance between Jane (Gina Rodriguez) and her husband Michael (Brett Dier) comes to a screeching halt when he dies in the season 3 episode “Chapter 54.” Rather than deal with the emotional ramifications, the show dialed up its telenovela-style qualities. Things only got more ridiculous from that point on—including the discovery in the finale of season 4 that Michael wasn't dead, after all.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Silver Screen Collection // Getty Images
- IMDb user rating: 6.9
- Years on the air: 1976–1983
This “Happy Days” spinoff took a nosedive of its own when the title characters moved from Milwaukee to California in the sixth season. It still managed to churn out the occasional quality episode until lead actor Cindy Williams left the show two seasons later. Her final appearance is in the episode “Window on Main Street,” which marks the official jumping of the shark.
This “Happy Days” spinoff took a nosedive of its own when the title characters moved from Milwaukee to California in the sixth season. It still managed to churn out the occasional quality episode until lead actor Cindy Williams left the show two seasons later. Her final appearance is in the episode “Window on Main Street,” which marks the official jumping of the shark.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Bad Robot
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Years on the air: 2004–2010
Heeding a network demand for quantity over quality, this wildly popular series was stretched thin by the season 3 episode “Stranger in a Strange Land.” The excruciatingly slow episode serves only to give backstory to Jack's tattoos, managing to do so without advancing the plot at all. Whether season 6 is similarly inferior or discreetly masterful depends on who’s being asked; but perhaps nothing compares to the final series twist in the show's last episode that had fans an critics in an uproar.
Bad Robot
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Years on the air: 2004–2010
Heeding a network demand for quantity over quality, this wildly popular series was stretched thin by the season 3 episode “Stranger in a Strange Land.” The excruciatingly slow episode serves only to give backstory to Jack's tattoos, managing to do so without advancing the plot at all. Whether season 6 is similarly inferior or discreetly masterful depends on who’s being asked; but perhaps nothing compares to the final series twist in the show's last episode that had fans an critics in an uproar.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
ABC Circle Films
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Years on the air: 1985–1989
The romantic tension between leads Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd kept viewers engaged with this mystery series during its early run. When the pair finally hooked up in the third season’s “I am Curious … Maddie,” it made for a satisfying moment, but an ill-fated story arc. Behind-the-scenes drama also contributed to the subsequent drop in quality and ratings alike.
ABC Circle Films
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Years on the air: 1985–1989
The romantic tension between leads Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd kept viewers engaged with this mystery series during its early run. When the pair finally hooked up in the third season’s “I am Curious … Maddie,” it made for a satisfying moment, but an ill-fated story arc. Behind-the-scenes drama also contributed to the subsequent drop in quality and ratings alike.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Reveille Productions
- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Years on the air: 2005–2013
Some fans correlate the decline of this comedy classic to the marriage of Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) which occurs in the sixth season. However, the shark wasn’t officially jumped until Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, departed in “Goodbye, Michael” from the following season. He made a brief return for the series finale.
Some fans correlate the decline of this comedy classic to the marriage of Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) which occurs in the sixth season. However, the shark wasn’t officially jumped until Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, departed in “Goodbye, Michael” from the following season. He made a brief return for the series finale.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Kitsis/Horowitz
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Years on the air: 2011–2018
This unique blend of fairy tale fantasy and modern drama originally wooed fans with its immersive plotlines and complex characters. By the season 4 episode “The Apprentice,” the show had expanded upon its world-building to the point of oversaturation. What was once clever and gripping was now merely contrived.
Kitsis/Horowitz
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Years on the air: 2011–2018
This unique blend of fairy tale fantasy and modern drama originally wooed fans with its immersive plotlines and complex characters. By the season 4 episode “The Apprentice,” the show had expanded upon its world-building to the point of oversaturation. What was once clever and gripping was now merely contrived.
New this week to TV, streaming and more: A ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes
Tilted Productions
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Years on the air: 2013–2019
This Emmy-winning prison dramedy delivered one of TV’s most shocking moments with the death of a major character in the fourth season finale. By the season 5 premiere, it seemed that the show’s creators were struggling to fill the void left in her absence. The series was fairly inconsistent—though still quite watchable—from that point forward.
This Emmy-winning prison dramedy delivered one of TV’s most shocking moments with the death of a major character in the fourth season finale. By the season 5 premiere, it seemed that the show’s creators were struggling to fill the void left in her absence. The series was fairly inconsistent—though still quite watchable—from that point forward.
