Growing the Beard

[Mr. Underachiever]

OK, so we all know (or should know) what "Jumping the Shark" means. But what about "Growing the Beard"? It's sort of the opposite of Jumping the Shark, when a show actually IMPROVES in quality. It's a reference to Star Trek: The Next Generation when Jonathan Frakes's character grew a beard and the show improved in quality.

So what examples can you think of where a show actually got BETTER? Some common examples include when Jon Stewart took over The Daily Show from Craig Kilborn, Full House focusing on the girls instead of the men, and interestingly enough, Power Rangers when the characters actually seemed like human beings (around MMPR Season 3/Zeo-ish).

Anyway, some examples of mine are:

• The Famous Jett Jackson - Season 2: The first season was almost entirely about Jett and his home life. Then season 2 came and they started focusing on Silverstone and making "B" plots about him, and the show just became so much better. Seasons 2 and 3 are almost a completely different show from season 1. It's a good thing season 1 was the shortest.
  
• The Simpsons - Season 13: This was the point when they got rid of Mike Scully and brought back Al Jean as showrunner. The Scully years were arguably a low point in the series, but Season 13 really made the show watchable again (though, it's been pretty hit-or-miss since then). Though FOX shows in general were actually increasing in quality that season. Don't know why.
  
• MADtv - Season 12: After a few years of hit-or-miss seasons, Season 12 really brought back what was so enjoyable about the original feel of the show. They brought back animation, really innovated new sketch ideas, and didn't overuse characters, which was a major problem with seasons 6-11.
  
• Reboot - About halfway through Season 2: The show was always pretty enjoyable, but the series got a lot darker and more serious at this point. The comedy was a lot better as well (see the Toku parody in episode 8).
  
• The Batman - Season 4: Seasons 1 and 2 were pretty hit-or-miss (though "The Rubberface of Comedy"/"Clayface of Tragedy" are two of my favorite Batman episodes of any series), and season 2 tried way too hard to appease older fans (like bringing in Bat signal when they had the much better and more practical Batwave). But season 4 seemed to finally get it right. The show got a lot darker, and it became almost a completely different show from when it started. Hell, aside from (obviously) Bruce, Alfred and the villains, none of the supporting characters from the first season are even on the show.
  
• South Park - Season 7: The show kinda lost me around season 4-ish, when it became "hey, let's find some new stupid way to kill Kenny!" But season 7 was amazing. There wasn't a single episode that season that didn't have me falling out of my seat. It's still my favorite season of the show.

I have others, but I want this post to get too long. So what are yours?

 

[Solid Snake]

wow I never knew "Growing the beard" existed. The beard does fit Jonathan Frakes though. As for the term, I guess it fits power rangers in PRiS. But I think we all know that example.

 

[CaptainB_Money]

Hannah Montana - the beggining of the series was pretty dull but now their is alot more exciting things going on
Suite Life of zack and cody - the script writers for this series have been getting funnyer and funnyer. like thieir is always a one or two liner where i just cant help but laugh my ass off at.
Stargate Atlantis - this series should also go on for 10 seasons. nothing says perfect like going through a blue ring to another planet. possiblitys with this show is endless.
X-Play - shows been lacking a bit in the past but i can tell its going back to its roots now.

 

[JFC]

Not to be a nitpicker, but in terms of the Frakes' reference, I think that was just coincidence. More important than him growing the beard, Season 2 of TNG saw a marked improvement in the writing and storylines used in the episodes.

 

[The 2nd Evil]

Wasn't Season 2 of TNG the year that was effected by the Writer's strike?

 

[Forever Knight]

Beards = the ****. Women love them and I enjoy scratching mine until my face falls off.

As for Hannah Montana, when she's 18 I'm buying a plane ticket, going to Disney, and marrying her. We're gonna have a Canadian Hick Child named Devon.

 

[Raida|23]

What means "jumpin the shark", what's the reference of it? I presume the opposite of the beard thing, but i really dont know...

 

[scikaiju]

"Jumping the Shark" mean a show starts going south in terms of quality adn usually on the way off the air. It comes from an episode of Happy Days where Fonzie jumped some sharks in his leather jacket and didn't get wet when they showed the close-up

 

[Raida|23]

"Jumping the Shark" mean a show starts going south in terms of quality adn usually on the way off the air. It comes from an episode of Happy Days where Fonzie jumped some sharks in his leather jacket and didn't get wet when they showed the close-up

Okie, thank you

Btw, i remember that episode ^__^