When did Family Ties jump the shark? 🦈

Season 5, Episode 1

Family Ties is often considered to have jumped the shark in Season 5 with the introduction of a new character, Andrew Keaton, who was rapidly aged from a baby to a preschooler in a short span. This is commonly referred to as 'Cousin Oliver Syndrome', where a show introduces a new young character in an attempt to boost declining ratings. Additionally, this season started focusing more on serious themes and dramatic plots, deviating from the original comedic tone that fans loved.