Shows that completed their brilliant runs without jumping the shark

I suppose. WW didn't hold me as long as it did most.

 

To be fair, "Married ... With Children," went on for quite a while after he joined up.

 

The second season of the West Wing culminates with the death of Mrs. Landingham and the episode Two Cathedrals, which has to be on the short list of the best things ever on network television.

Exception that proves the rule, most likely.

 

South Park
Simpsons
Family Guy
Sopranos (I hated the fourth season and the finale, but it never jumped...)
NYPD Blue
Taxi
Cheers

 

But it wasn't better. Just like Happy Days. Hope and Faith sucked regardless of who was on it.

Maybe they should retitle the saying, the show McGinleyed itself.

 

West Wing jumped when Zooey got kidnapped...

 

24 has never jumped after six seasons...

 

It did for me once I realized Zooey was pronounced ZO-ee, and not ZU-ee.

 

I think there's a pretty strong argument to be made that it jumped the shark with the first episode of the second season, but, then again, I'm not a fan...

 

I would go with:

Pulling a McGinley.

 

Junkie: *high 5* on Beavis and Butt-head. Great show.

 

West Wing jumped the shark when C.J. became chief of staff.