The Footy Show
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The Footy Show is an Australian sports television program, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates.
There are two versions of the program, one dedicated to the AFL and Australian rules football, and the other 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.
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[edit] 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 is followed by Any Given Sunday, a show hosted by Mick Molloy and Nicole Livingstone as well as a guest host each week, that looks at all sports around the world, as well as previewing the AFL matches for that day.
[edit] 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 "Sammy" 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after Eddie McGuire's appointment as CEO of the of the Nine Network, he stepped down as host of the program and has been replaced by former Melbourne star Garry Lyon and former state cricketer James Brayshaw.
The AFL Footy Show has also had its fair share of controversy, especially because of the on-air antics of Newman who has been the subject of many complaints directed at the Nine Network.
Some of the incidents involving Newman include:
- Wearing blackface in response to an Indigenous Australian player, Nicky Winmar not appearing as scheduled on that night's program due to a flat tire.
- Hitting David Schwarz in the face with a pie before getting pushed by him.
- Getting punched in the abdomen by Shane Crawford
- Having his trousers pulled down by Shane Crawford, exposing his genitals.
- Drinking a full bottle of Jim Beam over the length of a show.
- Spraying and getting sprayed by Shane Crawford with a fire extinguisher.
- 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 Brayshaw as dressing like a "girl".
- Chasing Shane Crawford in anger after Crawford appeared to draw on a Archibald Prize-entered portrait of Newman. It was later revealed to be a copy, much to the relief of the artist and Newman.
- Undergoing a mock 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
- Getting sprayed by Shane Crawford (along with James and Garry) after he started discussing a newspaper article about model fire engines. He then went off to change, but was then shown showering. He returned towards the end of the show, albeit in a dressing gown.
- Annoying Lyon when he continually showed a video of Lyon (as a footballer) on a strecher in agony after a leg injury, during a segment of Sam's Mailbag. He showed the video a few times after someone wrote in stating that he and a neighbour took a shot of vodka everytime the video was shown. The clip has aired many times since, including being shown on a blimp outside the 2006 Grand Final edition of the show.
- Newman has also had a number of well-publicised off-screen incidents that are often brought up during the show.
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 2001 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. Since 2001, Nine has had the rights to AFL broadcasts and footage is now used liberally during the show.
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. On occasion, Shane Crawford or Brendan Fevola will fill in as host of this segment when Sam is unable to fulfill his position.
Other segments have included:
- 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 Bulgar, ending with Hank being shot 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.
[edit] 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 followed by Any Given Sunday.
[edit] The NRL Footy Show
[edit] Sydney Footy Show
Following the pioneering success of the AFL footy show, the Nine Network quickly developed a Footy Show for the Sydney/Brisbane market. The NRL Footy Show began in 1994 with 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. This is often ridiculed by those in the industry, including Hadley himself.
Hadley and Roach did not have a good relationship with the rest of the team, and left by the late 1990s. 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 Bugatelli, 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. 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 New Zealand and are often 'performed' at sports venues across the country.
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 commentiments on 2GB. Rebecca Wilson was also invited to be part of the show and she accepted. However, Vautin and Sterling disapproved of this move, 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 10 weeks in 2005 the show was hosted by Matthew Johns, due to head injuries suffered by Vautin while filming a promotional spot 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.
Regular guests on the show include Mario Fenech, Amanda Flynn and Phil 'Gus' Gould
[edit] Brisbane Footy Show
The Brisbane Footy Show was short-lived during the 1990s. Today, the Sydney version is shown in Brisbane and Queensland. In 1999, Channel 9 attempted a failed revival.
[edit] Sunday Footy Show
The Sunday Footy Show is aired on Sundays at 11 a.m. and goes for one hour. It is hosted by Paul Vautin, and panelists include Peter Sterling, Andrew Voss, Phil Gould and Matthew Johns. Much like the AFL version, the show also discusses the weekend's matches so far, including interviews with players after the matches, and goes 'around the grounds' with Tim Gilbert to discuss and announce player changes for the rest of the matches in that round.
[edit] 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 The River) and a duet from Kane Alexander and Tina Arena, as well as a performance from Colin Hay (with Down Under (song)). Some incidents arising from the show include Billy Brownless, a known consumer of alcoholic beverages, discussing "frothies" (a famous term he uses for beer) in many German beer gardens, and Sam Newman punching a Fanatic (Australian cheer squad member) in the face after video footage of the Fan spitting at Newman was shown. (see List of Australian rules football incidents).
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.
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.
[edit] Awards
The AFL version has won several Logies over its existence, and is often considered to be one of the most successful Sport shows on Australian television. However, at the 47th annual awards held on May 1, 2005, the NRL version of the program won the Most Popular Sporting Program award. The NRL Footy Show won the Logie Award once again in 2006, despite the fact that the show did not rate as well compared to the previous year.
