The Footy Show (rugby league)

The Footy Show
Genre	Sport/variety
Presented by	Paul Vautin Peter Sterling Brad Fittler Daryl Brohman
Country of origin	Australia
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	18
No. of episodes	508 (as of 29 September 2011)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Gary Burns
Running time	90 minutes (including commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel	Nine Network
Picture format	576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	10 March 1994 – present
External links
Website

The Footy Show is a Logie Award-winning Australian sports variety television programme, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates. Following the success of the AFL program of the same name, the Nine Network quickly developed a version for the rugby league market^{[citation needed]}. The rugby league version has been on air since 1994. The original hosts (in 1994) were 'Fatty' aka Paul Vautin, 'Sterlo' (Peter Sterling), and 'Blocker' (Steve Roach). The Thursday night programme 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.

On Air

Presenters

• Paul Vautin (1994–present)
• Darryl Brohman (2010-present)
• Brad Fittler (2011-present)

2011 Supporting Presenters

• Benji Marshall
• Beau Ryan
• Andrew Voss
• Scott Prince
• Peter Sterling (1994–2006, 2010)
• Ray Warren
• Andrew Johns

Former Presenters

• Wendell Sailor (2010)
• Andrew Voss (2009)
• Laurie Daley (2008)
• Matthew Johns (2003–2009)
• Paul Harragon (2001–2008)
• Steve Roach (1994–1999)
• Ray Hadley (1994–1996, 1998)

Scheduling

The NRL version of the show airs twice each week in the form of a:

• Thursday night programme, shown at 9.30 p.m. AEST, and
• Sunday morning programme, shown at 11:00 a.m. AEST

Thursdays

In New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory, the NRL version of The Footy Show is aired on Thursday evenings, and the AFL version would air later that night.

The Thursday night NRL version is based around variety with segments, bands and a serious discussion about current issues in the game and past/future match-ups.

Former segments included; Anti-Ad, National Naan News (with Mahatma Cote), Daredevil Dudes, Going.. Going... Gooone, "Crack-a-Fat", One Versus One, Their House (with Ryan Girdler), Reg Reagan and That's Gold.

Perhaps the most popular segment introduced on The Footy Show in 2011 is "Stuff You May Have Missed"; presented by Andrew Voss, a weekly wrap-up of funny things and bloopers that viewers may have missed whilst watching Channel Nine's football coverage and many other programs not just on Channel Nine but other stations, appear on this segment.

The show's 500th episode went to air on 11 August 2011.

Thursday Credits

Burns, Gaunt, Iannelli, Morton, O'Brien, Quinn, Rochford, Sullivan, Wallace, Issa, Murray, Wiseman, Simm-Jones, Campbell, Hincks, Carroll, Chalmers.

Sundays

The Footy Show on Sunday is followed by The Sunday Roast.

History

1990s

Hadley and Roach did not have a good relationship with the rest of the team, and both left at the end of the 1998 season 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. Hadley left at the end of 1996, and returned to the show in 1998, before leaving for good. 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 two 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 programme Our House (a lifestyle programme).

2000s

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, a hand gesture 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 NRL-related 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 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 three "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 Footy Show is more a variety show than a typical sports programme. 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 three hosts (Vautin, Harragon and Johns). In 2008, Laurie Daley joined the show as a fourth host.

In early 2009, it was announced that Paul Harragon had quit the show, Laurie Daley had returned to Foxtel (where he first began his television career) and Andrew Voss would join to replace the departing hosts. In May 2009, Matthew Johns was sacked by the network in controversial circumstances.

2010s

In 2010, the show underwent a format change. Andrew Voss was removed as host (but still remained on the show as a supporting presenter), and Paul Vautin was joined by three other hosts (Peter Sterling (who returned as a co-host after a three year absence), Wendell Sailor and Darryl Brohman) who alternated their appearances weekly.^[1] In 2011, Wendell Sailor and Peter Sterling have left as hosts and the show has returned to having three weekly hosts with Vautin, Darryl Brohman and Brad Fittler, with supporting hosts being Benji Marshall, Beau Ryan and Andrew Voss.

Brisbane Footy Show

The Brisbane Footy Show was the original concept of an NRL Footy Show devised by the QTQ9 Production Manager John Evans. The show started in 1993 for two years before Channel 9 Sydney believed it was a waste of money and resources to have different footy shows airing in different states. The Brisbane Footy Show started as a high budget "live" show alomst solely concerned with League discussion and a music act. The set was large encompassing the entire of Studio B including a studio audience of more than 100, with a complete green floor (simulating grass) and a large set of goalposts. There were several areas where interviews were conducted, including "controversy corner" and the "bar room" as well as the main panel desk. The show was generally hosted by Chris Bombolas, Gary Belcher, Kevin Walters (doing Street Beat), Peter Jackson, Mario Fenech, Laurel Edwards and Steve Haddin with a weekly live cross from Sam Newman from the Channel 9 Melbourne AFL Footy Show who always had fun heaping sarcastic comments Mario Fenech's way. Today, the Sydney version is shown in Brisbane and Queensland. With the success of the recent "Mighty Maroons" shows airing before each 2011 State Of Origin telecast, Sydney Footy Show boss, Gary Burns, believes the time might be right for another Queensland based Footy Show now that Q'ld has The Broncos, Cowboys, Titans and possibly another team from the SE Q'ld area in the NRL within 4 years.

Sunday Footy Show

The Sunday Footy Show is aired on Sundays at 11 am. Most of the time, it is a more serious football-focused panel hosted by Peter Sterling and a variety of panelists including Mario Fenech, Phil Gould and a variety of NRL players. 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 League' segment showcasing previous greats of the NRL. At the end of the programme, there is a 'Brut Big Hits' segment showing three 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.

The Sunday Footy show is filmed on the same set as the Today Show.

Special editions

During May 2006, the town of Beaconsfield, Tasmania was rocked when news of two mine workers were trapped down a mine shaft. Miraculously, 34 year old Todd Russell and 37 year old Brant Webb escaped with aid from emergency workers. To celebrate, both the AFL and the NRL Footy Show had a special programme dedicated to the two surivours. This included a cross to Eddie McGuire who held an interview with Brant and Todd.

In 2006, to celebrate the 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.

In 2006, the AFL and NRL produced a special broadcast from Germany. This was to coincide with the Socceroos FIFA World Cup campaign. It was co-hosted by Eddie McGuire and James Brayshaw. Unlike the traditional versions, the special was solely based around the Socceroos' World Cup Campaign.

Awards

The Most Popular Sports Program award at the Logies has been going on since 1996 (except 1999 where the award was not given out). The show has won or been nominated every year since this award has been out.

Logies won:

• 7 times (2000, 2004 - 07, 2009 - 10)

Logies nominated:

• 7 times (1996 - 98, 2001 - 03, 2008); (lost to The AFL Footy Show (1996 - 98, 2002 - 03, 2008) and The Dream with Roy and HG (2001)

It has also benn nomitated for:

• Once (1996) for the Most Popular Light Entertainment award (lost to Hey Hey It's Saturday)

Criticism

The Footy Show has attracted criticism for its often crass, low-brow humour^[2] and for being seen as "celebrating" alcohol in sport. The programme has once featured alcohol advertisements throughout, and alcohol advertising on the set. The show has also received its share of criticism for its lowbrow humour and poor productions values.^[3]

International Broadcast

The programme is also shown in the UK and Ireland on Setanta Sports 1 every Thursday night at 10 p.m. and Sky Sport in New Zealand at 11:30 p.m. Thursday Live.

See also

• List of Australian television series

References

1. ^ Rothfield, Phil (March 2010). "Channel Nine dumps Andrew Voss from Footy Show for Sami Lukis, Wendell Sailor and Mario Fenech". Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/channel-nine-dumps-andrew-voss-from-footy-show-for-sami-lukis-wendell-sailor-and-mario-fenech/story-e6freye0-1225837737041. Retrieved 2010-07-03. 
2. ^ Headon, David (October 1999). "Up From the Ashes: The Phoenix of a Rugby League Literature" (pdf). Football Studies Volume 2, Issue 2. Football Studies Group. http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/FootballStudies/1999/FS0202i.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
3. ^ The Australian newspaper, 31 March 2007 Story: "The time has come to end glamourising alcohol sponsorship"[1]

External links

• The Footy Show website
• The NRL Footy Show at the Internet Movie Database
• The NRL Footy Show at TV.com
• The Footy Show (NRL) at the National Film and Sound Archive