Abridged on 3 compact discs/3.5 hours. Read by the author. Received in the mail from nearby Bristol, Connecticut, USA, through PaperbackSwap. Read more at jumptheshark.com. Listen to an excerpt at spokennetwork.com. I'm a pop culture junkie, and Hein and I have a similiar sense of humor. I laughed out loud at snark like: "Is Marv Albert kinky? Yesssssssss!"

From the box
jumping.the.shark n: the precise moment when things go bad—terribly, irrevocably bad. You know it when you see it. It's the moment on your favorite TV show when a new character is introduced or the whole gang takes a trip to Tahiti. In that moment you know your favorite show has lost its magic, has begun the long, painful slide to the TV graveyard — the show has jumped the shark.

Happy Days infamously jumped the shark when Fonzie literally jumped a shark on water skis. But it's not just TV shows — anything and anyone can jump the shark. From music legends to sports heroes, from talk show hosts to politicians, Jump the Shark catalogs those priceless moments when the magic vanishes, the ratings go south, and the mighty become the fallen. But beware: This shark-infested audiobook will leave you in stitches and wondering where the insidious fin will pop up next.

From AudioFile
In college, Jon Hein and a few friends got together and analyzed when their favorite TV shows, rock and sports legends, and even politicians began a downward spiral; that is, when they "jumped the shark." Now Hein provides an entertaining and clever presentation that examines when shows like "Happy Days" and "Friends," music groups like the Beatles, and many others first began to be passé. Funny, insightful, and nostalgic, Jump the Shark's author "sinks his teeth" into the entertainment world's unfortunate turning points.

*****
January 2006
Mailed to Firegirl in Mesa, Arizona, USA, with Goat in trade for Under the Tuscan Sun, News from Lake Wobegon: Fall and News from Lake Wobegon: Winter. (My favorite TV show, Gilmore Girls, recently jumped the shark by introducing Luke's daughter, now that Rory's no longer cute--she's the cousin Oliver.)

Arrived today -- looks great. Thanks!

I actually enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I thought it would be mildly amusing -- especially since I'm not that into pop culture, don't watch all that much TV, etc -- but I really found it to be great fun. I worried a bit that I wouldn't know enough about the television shows to get why they jumped, but the author is good about giving a quick synopsis for those not in the know. The book also covers more than just television: he discusses celebrities, sports, and politics as well. Definitely fun listening. I also just HAD to go check out the associated website which is a dangerous thing to do if you're short on time.

Thanks again, editorgrrl, for sharing this!

Sending out in postal trade. Enjoy!

This arrived in the mail today. Thanks so much! Your book will will be on its way very soon!

He was sent sailing straight over the shark.
The shark smelled blood.
The shark started to circle.
We spotted a fin.
But the damage had been done.
The shark had moved on to its next victim.

If hearing those phrases repeatedly does not bother you, then you will enjoy the abridged audiobook version of Jump the Shark, written and read by John Hein. I can't fault him for running out of shark metaphors, and it really was my only complaint about this humorous collection. Hein walks us through several television shows, musicians, politicians, actors, and sports, detailing the exact moment when they took an irreversible turn for the worse, starting with that fateful episode of Happy Days when Fonzie literally jumped a shark on waterskis. I confess to fast-forwarding through some of the sports and politics spots, because I'm unfamiliar with most sports figures and a lot of the political commentary was kind of dated. I also had to take a break between discs to listen to something else for a while - those shark metaphors drove me crazy. I imagine it works better as a book, which you can pick up, read a couple pages, and put back down. In short, while this is a funny diversion from time to time, it gets a little tedious when listened to all at once.

Sending this as a RABCK to badgerjim.

Edit: sent 13 July.

I found this waiting for me upon my return last night from my wife's family reunion in southern Connecticut. Thanks for passing it along to me!

True, the same phrases do pop up again and again, and it can be a little tiresome. Mr. Hein is also waaaaay beyond snarky, and comes off as kind of smug, especially at the start. At times, I flat out don't agree with him (he thinks M*A*S*H jumped when Col. Potter came in, for example), but it is rather amusing overall. He is merciless to what he considers cheesy (some of which I like), but shows a tremendous weakness for his own cheesy puns. He spends the first 40% or so on TV shows, but also takes on music groups, other entertainers and politicians. It was fun to listen to--thanks for sending it along to me.

Another Bookcrosser has asked for this and I'm going to be sending it out shortly. It will be headed toward the southwest, but not as far as Arizona. Stay tuned to see where it goes!

Mailed today from New Sharon, Maine.

I've caught these and am looking forward to listening to them. Thanks!