Has BushCO Jumped the Shark?

[tinrobot]

I just saw the latest abysmal poll numbers for the Chimperor and the Repug congress (43%/31%) and I can't help but think about these approval ratings in the context of a TV show's ratings.

In most TV shows, there's the point where the show starts sliding in the ratings. It's the point where the writers have milked the show's premise for all it's worth. The show's glory is fading, and the creative team can't think up anything new, so they recycle old scripts, introduce new characters, move the show to a new city, and do anything else to generate interest. These lame attempts to salvage the show simply drive the ratings lower, and when a show turns towards that point of no return, it has "Jumped the Shark"

(The term "Jumped the Shark" comes form an episode of Happy Days where the cast goes to Hawaii and Fonzie literally "jumps" a shark in a lame attempt to rekindle the shows most popular moment, where he jumped his motorcycle at Arnold's many seasons earlier.)

I see similar parallels in the Repug agenda. Their ratings are sliding and in order to boost them, they try to introduce stupider and more ridiculous scripts to prop up their popularity. The public is now wise to the show's formula, and this time, the Repugs are not going to turn it around with an exciting new episode of "Terror Alert."

Look at what they've done. Terror alerts don't work any more. Classic lines like "Saddam gassed his own people" now ring as hollow as the most overused TV catch phrase. Terry Schiavo? I mean seriously... placing a character on life support is THE CLASSIC way for TV shows to jump the shark.

Bottom line, the show is over, but they just don't know it yet. It will continue for a few seasons, but I doubt you will ever see Chimpy's ratings above 50% again. Now, what scares me are the wacky (yet dangerous) plotlines they're scheming up to try and recapture the ratings.

(interestingly, Bill Clinton never jumped the shark - his ratings were always good)

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Shrub has driven every enterprise he's had into the dirt.

He'll do it with this country, too. Watch. When all the terror alerts in the world won't help him regain popular support, he'll just steer for the ditch: think draft, more war, dictatorship, etc.

[htuttle]

2. BREAKING: Ted McGinley appointed to cabinet position

...just in time for the 'Bush Administration Goes to Hawaii' special episode!

[tinrobot]

3. ....and that precocious Cousin Oliver

Spends the summer with his Uncle George and Aunt Laura at the White House.

[dbonds]

4. Tonight, bush performs a VERY SPECIAL after school speech.

[htuttle]

5. ...with a special guest appearance by Bill Cosby

...or maybe Tony Danza.

[ailsagirl]

6. If alerts aren't working anymore... I hate to think what's next n/t