the Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award winning Australian
There are two versions of the program, the original, which was dedicated to the AFL and Australian rules football, and the franchise concerning the NRL and rugby league. They are officially respectively referred to as The AFL Footy Show and The NRL Footy Show, though they are generally just referred to as The Footy Show. As they are shown in distinct geographical regions, according to areas where one or other sport predominates, there is little room for confusion.
Scheduling
Each version of the show airs twice each week in the form of a:
- A Thursday night program, shown at 9.30 p.m. AEST, and
- A Sunday morning program, shown at 11:00 a.m. AEST
The Thursday night programs are aired at different times. In New South Wales, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, The NRL Footy Show is shown first. In Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania The AFL Footy Show is aired. The "alternate" version of Thursday's Footy Show would then go to air later that Thursday night. The "alternate" show on Sunday is not aired in addition to the regularly scheduled version.
The NRL Footy Show on Sunday usually starts at 11am and is one hour long. It is followed by The Sunday Roast, which is a rugby league discussion show. The AFL Footy Show on Sunday was followed by Any Given Sunday, a show that looked at all sports around the world, as well as previewing the AFL matches for that day. Any Given Sunday has been discontinued as of 2007.
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The AFL Footy Show
The AFL Footy Show had its origins in 1993 when a special Grand Final Edition of the Sunday Footy Show aired on the Thursday night before the AFL Grand Final. The program was then extended and started as a regular program in 1994, and was hosted by former Network Ten reporter Eddie McGuire, and joined by former Geelong champion John "Sam" Newman and comedian Trevor Marmalade. They are usually joined by three current and former football players in a panel format.
In 2006, after Eddie McGuire's appointment as CEO of the Nine Network, he stepped down as host of the program and has been replaced by former Melbourne star Garry Lyon and former state cricketer James Brayshaw.
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The panelists discuss any news stories that arise during the week, review the last round of matches, and preview each match for the coming week including showing the lineups. Before 1999 no footage of any AFL games could be aired by the show as the rival Seven Network held the broadcast rights and refused to allow the show to air footage, in an attempt to stall the program's success. From 2000-2006, Nine had the rights to AFL broadcasts and footage was used liberally during the show. It would seem they will revert to not using footage from 2007, Nine having lost the rights to AFL broadcasting to the Seven network & Ten network until at least 2011.
Regular segments include:
- Almost Footy Legends' (by Trevor Marmalade) - Showcases local footy highlights (such as big marks and great goals) Originally started so that some football footage could be shown.
- Sam's Mailbag (by Sam Newman) - Sam reads and answers letters from the show's fans, often including at least one video email.
- Street Talk (by Sam Newman) - A satirical take on the vox pop by interviewing and making fun of various characters on the streets of cities around Australia. Shane Crawford or Brendan Fevola fill in as host of this segment when Sam is unable to fulfill his position.
Other segments have included:
- "Fyfe's Footy Flicks" - Cartoonist Andrew Knob produced a weekly satiric animation sending up the weekly events in football.
- Bill's Wheel - Billy Brownless went around to local footy clubs to have a competition where they won what would come up on the wheel.
- Screamers - An AFL player talent quest competition.
- House of Bulger - 5-minute parody of daytime soap operas featuring AFL stars such as Shane Crawford (as Hank Bulger) and other guest appearances.
- Bulger, MD - The sequel to House of Bulger, ending with Hank being shot dead by Dr. Pink (Nathan Brown) on the Grand Final show.
- Hatchet Jobs - Featured during 2006 towards the end of the show. Footage from coach interviews is chopped up and edited resulting in facetious one-liners.
- Mastermind - Each week Eddie would quiz someone.
- Pillow Talk - James Brayshaw interviews a wife or girlfriend of AFL footballers. Started in 2007.
Sam Newman's Controversial Antics
Sam Newman is the most controversial figure on the AFL Footy Show, and has been the subject of many complaints to the Nine Network. Some of the more controversial incidents involving Newman include:
- Having his chauffeur reverse his car into Trevor Marmalade's bar, destroying it.
- Wearing blackface after Aboriginal player Nicky Winmar did not appear as scheduled on that night's program due to car trouble.
- Publicly humiliating his teenage son in the 1997 grand final special for being a fan of the Adelaide Crows (Newman played for Geelong).
- Hitting David Schwarz in the face with a pie and being pushed to the ground by him afterwards.
- Getting punched in the stomach by Shane Crawford.
- Having his trousers pulled down by Crawford, exposing his genitals live to air.
- Exposing his genitals to the camera after stripping a la "The Full Monty" live to air.
- Drinking a full bottle of Jim Beam over the length of a show.
- Spraying Shane Crawford with a fire extinguisher after Crawford interrupted Sam's Mailbag.
- Getting sprayed with a fire extinguisher by Shane Crawford after he started discussing a newspaper article about model fire engines. Sam was later showed showering, returning towards the end of the show in a dressing gown.
- Antagonising guest panel member Jason Dunstall in a "Back to the 80's" special when Dunstall refused to show up in a retro outfit.
- Referring to James Brayshaw as dressing like a "girl".
- Chasing Shane Crawford with clear violent intent after Crawford appeared to draw on a Archibald Prize-entered portrait of Newman. It was later revealed to be a fake, much to the relief of the artist (and Newman).
- Undergoing a "nappy change" by Shane Crawford and Brendan Fevola, when Shane was disgruntled about comments Sam made about him not being a good father. He ended up being covered in talcum powder, and his underwear was doused with water.
- Annoying co-host Garry Lyon by repetitively showing Lyon writhing in pain on a stretcher after having broken his leg. The clip has aired many times, including being shown on a blimp outside the 2006 Grand Final edition of the show.
- Trying to simulate sex in a fake airplane toilet (due to the incident between Ralph Fiennes and former Qantas air hostess Lisa Robertson) noting how hard it would be to join the 'mile-high' club. The 'segment' first saw Sam try to "bonk" a mannequin and then a male midget dressed as an air hostess.
- Starting a 'fake' campaign to "bring the footy home" (back to Channel 9 from Channel 7) as he, believed that Channel 7's coverage of AFL games to be "absolute shocking". Sam had badges and banners to aid his campaign, although he failed miserably in 'raising' funds.
- Being sprayed with a super soaker by Fevola.
- Constantly referring to Fevola's poor behaviour on field, which lead to Fevola to throw a fake (albeit real-looking) snake at Sam. Believing it to be real, Sam fled from his seat (to the audience's delight).
- Annoying guest panelist Jason Dunstall by referring to him as "Uganda's National Symbol" (the Silver Back Gorilla).
- Celebrating the 20th anniverary of Garry Lyon's broken leg incident at Whitten Oval, which led to the infamous "stretcher vision"
- Getting involved in a scuffle with Jonothan Brown and Shane Crawford on air, where Brown lifted Newman and threw him into his 'Street Talk' hall of fame board, while Shane threw stuff at him. Later, Brown smashed one of the pictures from the board over Newman's head.
Newman has also had a number of well-publicised off-screen incidents that are often brought up during the show.
Sunday Footy Show
On Sunday mornings, the Sunday Footy Show airs, now hosted by Tony Jones and featuring Brian Taylor, Mark Bickley, Danny Frawley and Billy Brownless on the panel. The show discusses the weekend's matches so far, showing scores and highlights, and often interviews players from some of the sides that have played that round. Before the Nine network obtained the TV rights to AFL matches, it was a lighter look at AFL, with a panel featuring the likes of Max Walker, Ted Whitten and Lou Richards. Lou Richards is still a part of the Sunday Footy Show today, through his Lou's Handball segment. This competition now runs every week and features Lou telling a joke before each competition.
The Sunday Footy Show was the original Footy Show, and following its success in 1993, it was decided to present a special Grand Final edition from the Rod Laver Arena. The success of this special meant that the Thursday night show was to be instilled as a permanent fixture in the Nine schedule. The Sunday Footy show has had numerous formats over the years running over two hours, but currently is one hour.
There was controversy on the Sunday edition of the Footy Show on 12 August of 2007, when AFL legend and former North Melbourne Football Club captain and Premiership player Wayne Carey responded to criticisms from Nathan Thompson by mocking Thompson's well-publicised bout with depression. In addition, on returning from a commercial break, he was heard to make references to 'necking himself', to the apparent delight of other members of the Footy Show panel. Carey and the Nine Network were quick to issue an apology over the incident, although no mention was officially made of the 'necking himself' comment.
The NRL Footy Show
Following the pioneering success of the AFL footy show, the Nine Network quickly developed a Footy Show for the rugby league market. The NRL Footy Show began in 1994 and was hosted by 'Fatty' aka Paul Vautin, 'Sterlo' (Peter Sterling), 'Blocker' (Steve Roach) and Ray Hadley.
The Thursday night program was, and still is largely entertainment-based, with some football-related content included, such as previews of the weekend's fixtures and interviews with players.
Hadley and Roach did not have a good relationship with the rest of the team, and left by the late 1990s for varying reasons. Hadley had become disillusioned as a result of the confirmation that the Super League competition would take place in Australia in 1997 (see Super League War). This meant that the Footy Show would be required to give fair coverage and discussion of both the Super League and ARL competitions during its broadcast. Hadley had been a stout supporter of the more traditional ARL, believing that Super League's agenda was backed by money and greed and was not prepared to lend his support to the rival competition, thus leading to his eventual departure from the show. Roach, on the other hand, had been involved in an altercation, allegedly assaulting a heckler in a Sydney pub. Channel Nine, not wanting to condone such conduct and wishing to preserve its reputation, were quick to terminate Roach's contract as a result of his actions.
For around two or three years, Vautin and Sterling presented the show by themselves, often with guest hosts such as Phil Gould, the Johns brothers (Andrew and Matthew) and Ryan Girdler with his highly popular segment, Their House, the name a parody of the Australian TV program Our House (a lifestyle program).
In 2001, a contest was held to find a new co-host, via a parody of the hit show Survivor (also shown on Nine), and former Knights forward Paul Harragon, also known as 'Chief', was selected. In 2003, fellow former Knights player Matthew Johns joined as the fourth host, following the success of his appearances as alter egos Reg Reagan and Trent The Flight Steward the previous year. A new character, Randy Discotelli, based upon an American fitness instructor, was introduced in 2005.
Paul Harragon's introduction to the show brought popular segments such as 'That's Tops', which involves giving the 'thumbs up'
sign with both hands simultaneously. 'That's Tops' ran from 2002 until the end of 2004. Mario Fenech also appears often as a host. In 2005 'That's Gold' was introduced, which involves placing an upright clenched fist on an open palm; both gestures
have become popular throughout Australia and
In May 2005, due to declining ratings, former host Ray Hadley was invited back to the show. However, he declined this offer due to his radio commitments on 2GB. Rebecca Wilson was also invited to be part of the show and she accepted. However, Vautin and Sterling disapproved of this move due to personal reasons, and Wilson appeared for only one episode.
The show has spawned 3 "best of" video/DVDs, a compilation CD, the Reg Reagan All of Me DVD and the single Am I Ever Gonna See The Biff Again? by Reg Reagan and the Knucklemen (Reagan is a parody of a stereotypical ocker football players from the 1970s).
For a period of ten weeks in 2005, the show was hosted by Matthew Johns, due to head injuries suffered by Vautin while filming a comedy sketch for the show. Vautin returned in September 2005.
The NRL Footy Show is more a variety show than a typical sports program. This is evident through the many games that the members play such as Going, Going, GOOONE! and segments such as Daredevil Dudes. Only one match is previewed in significant depth, it generally being the Friday Night showcase.
In 2007, Peter Sterling decided not to return to the show so he could concentrate on commentating. The show decided to keep the 3 hosts (Vautin, Harragon and Johns), and have 5 regular panellists (2 at the one time). These panellists are Mark Gasnier, Willie Mason, Andrew Johns, Benji Marshall and Luke Ricketson.
Regular guests on the show include Mario Fenech, Amanda Flynn, 'MG' (Mark Geyer) and Phil Gould.
Brisbane Footy Show
The Brisbane Footy Show was short-lived during the mid-1990s and was generally hosted by Chris Bombolas, Peter Jackson, Mario Fenech, Laurel Edwards and Steve Haddin. Today, the Sydney version is shown in Brisbane and Queensland. In 1999, Channel 9 attempted a failed revival.
Sunday Footy Show
The Sunday Footy Show is aired on Sundays at 11am. Most of the time, it is hosted by Peter Sterling and a variety of panelists including Ben Ikin, Matthew Johns, Mario Fenech, Phil Gould, Jason Stevens, Paul Harragon and a variety of NRL players. Much like the AFL version, the show discusses the results of the weekend's matches so far and includes interviews with players. There is also a segment called 'Around the Grounds' which is presented by Tim Gilbert and discusses the rest of the weekend's game and injury wrap-up. There is also a 'League of legend' segment showcasing previous greats of the NRL. At the end of the program, there is a 'Brut Big Hits' segment showing 3 of the biggest hits in the previous round.
Immediately after the Sunday Footy Show, there is 'The Sunday Roast' where the less serious Footy Show boys go through all of the funniest footy moments of the week, as well as airing self made movies such as an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
Also making a large appearance on The Sunday Roast is 'almost football' in which close calls are shown in slo-mo for your viewing pleasure.
The Sunday Footy show is filmed on the same set as the Today Show.
Special editions
Every four years, the AFL Footy Show runs a special edition of their program in London, England, with editions in 2001 and 2005 being the most recent, usually run during the mid-season break in the AFL season. They also hold a yearly episode at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth.
On June 18, 2006, the Footy Show World Cup Spectacular
was aired, which aimed at capitalising on the interest in the World Cup 2006. It was
hosted by Nine Network CEO
Eddie McGuire, and featured panellists Matthew
Johns, Paul Vautin, Sam Newman, Shane Warne and Garry Lyon. Anthony
LaPaglia and Craig Johnston were also guests on the show. The show featured live
performances from Simple Minds (performing Don't You Forget About Me), Live (performing
In 2006, to celebrate the NRL State of Origin decider - which was to be held in Melbourne for the first time in years - the two shows were filmed in adjoining rooms, in Nine Network Melbourne's complex. On the AFL Show, Fatty went over from the NRL Show to join as a guest for a few minutes. Upon his return, a quiz was held between AFL Show regulars Billy Brownless and Sam Newman, with Matthew Johns and Peter Sterling representing the NRL side. Most of the questions were about either the Melbourne Storm for the NRL boys, since it was a celebration of Melbourne Rugby League, and the Geelong Football Club who Newman and Brownless both played for in the AFL. The AFL boys won the quiz. Also during the show, Newman showed the two boys what he thought of their 2006 Logie by destroying a (presumably) fake Logie while Fatty was on their show.
Awards
At the 47th Annual Logie Awards held on May 1, 2005, the NRL version of the program won the Most Popular Sporting Program award. The NRL Footy Show successfully retained the award in 2006 and 2007, cementing it as the most popular Australian sports program on television, having long surpassed its AFL rival, despite lower TV ratings compared to the AFL footy show in a larger TV market in Sydney. The AFL version has won several Logies over its existence, but has in recent times failed to match the successes of its NRL contemporary. This is not to cast aspersions on the Sydney viewing public, who are very discerning when it comes to such quality television. Paul Vautin has accepted the awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Criticism
The Footy Show has been criticised for "celebrating" alcohol in sport. The program features alcohol advertisements throughout the program, and alcohol advertising on the set. The AFL version of the program has even included presenters appearing to "skoll" alcoholic drinks on-air.[1]
See also
- List of Australian television series
- That's Gold
References
External links
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