The Decline of Teenager-Driven TV Shows: How Age Affects Their Success

The television industry often relies on young characters to capture the interest of a new audience. However, as these characters grow older, the shows often struggle to remain relevant and engaging. Happy Days is a prime example of this phenomenon. Here's an in-depth look at how age impacts the success of TV shows originally centered around teenagers.

Happy Days: The Phantom Jump

Happy Days is often cited as the quintessential example of a TV show that jumped the shark. It began with adult actors portraying teenagers, and one of the main characters, Richie Cunningham, was played by an older actor who had to leave the show.

As the actors approached middle age, their characters evolved into young adults, and eventually, the 50s were forced to become the 60s. The show attempted to keep the illusion alive by having the main character jump over a shark, a moment that has since become a pop culture reference meaning "it's time to end it."

A Phantom Revisited: Additional Examples

Another example of this phenomenon is the situation with one of the main characters on Happy Days. He was visited by a space alien who got his own spin-off. This bizarre turn of events is indicative of the show's declining relevance and creativity. The show's writers were clearly under significant pressure to come up with novel ideas to keep the audience engaged.

Additionally, the two youngest characters in Happy Days eventually became adults and got married, marking the show's departure to its own spin-off. This change was perhaps the most necessary, as it was one of the replacement characters that didn't suit the show's tone and ruined the illusion.

The Ted McGinley Dilemma

The casting of Ted McGinley was another sign that the show was struggling. Although McGinley brought a new energy to the show, it was too little too late. The show should have ended much earlier, given its poor quality and its spin-off, Love American Style. Other spin-offs from this show, like a rehashed version of The Odd Couple with women and a space alien in Boulder, Colorado, were equally middling.

Even now, reflecting on the show, it's hard to believe that a balding man in his 30s, Ron Howard, could have plausibly portrayed a high school student. The original premise was doomed from the start due to this age discrepancy, with the show merely trying to survive by making cosmetic changes.

Conclusion

The decline of Happy Days and other similar shows serves as a cautionary tale for the television industry. As young characters grow older, the stories they tell lose their authenticity and relatability. The industry must find ways to keep these shows fresh and engaging, or face the inevitable fate of becoming just another example of a failed television venture that jumped the shark.

The success of TV shows originally centered around teenagers depends largely on the authenticity of the characters. When the characters reach a certain age, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the illusion of youth, leading to a slow, albeit inevitable, decline in the show's popularity.