After 25 years, a shed-load of Logies and infamous moments, The Footy Show has been axed
In a move that is hardly surprising, Channel Nine has decided to pull the plug on the NRL Footy Show after 25 years on air.
The program, which debuted in its Thursday night timeslot in 1994, had been struggling in the ratings this year after a revamp of its panel saw Erin Molan replace long-time frontman Paul "Fatty" Vautin as host.
"It's been an incredible ride for The Footy Show," Nine's director of sport Tom Malone said in a statement.
"A quarter of a century of laughs, controversy and first-class footy analysis … Fatty holds the record for the longest serving host of any prime time Australian TV show — a tribute to both his understanding of the game, his authenticity, and not to mention his incredible comedic timing."
The Footy Show won numerous Logies but courted controversy during its run on air and often attracted criticism for what many perceived as a reliance on juvenile humour.
It did provide Australian TV with a number of infamous and memorable moments, as well as others that struck an emotional chord with its viewers.
Wendell Sailor breaks Ben Ross's arm
In an incident that left the Footy Show audience grimacing, former NRL player Ben Ross broke his arm during an arm-wrestle with Wendell Sailor in 2015.
Ross's right arm snapped back during the contest and a loud pop was heard, as he screamed out in pain with Sailor and Footy Show regular Beau Ryan rushing to his aid.
The incident shocked the studio audience and forced the Nine Network to cut immediately to an advertisement.
Reg Reagan brings 'back the biff'
External Link: NRL Footy Show: The best of Reg Reagan
There was probably never a more popular character on the Footy Show than Matthew Johns's alter ego, Reg Reagan.
Reagan, who debuted on the Footy Show in 2002, was an instant success, known for his slogan "Bring back the biff" and his devotion to sporting a mullet haircut and drinking cases of canned beer.
The character of Reagan made an exit from the Footy Show in 2009 when Johns was stood down because of his role in a sex scandal involving Cronulla players in 2002.
Vautin the butt of many pranks
External Link: NRL Footy Show: Paul Vautin stiched up
As host, Vautin was the subject of many on-air stich-ups prior to his departure from the Footy Show in 2017.
One famous example was when a set exploded on an unsuspecting Vautin, as he compered a mock quiz segment.
Vautin was also involved in a chili-eating challenge, which resulted in him having to rush from the set in discomfort, while he was also involved in a famous prank involving the late Steve Irwin and a large snake.
The Rock rings Alex McKinnon after his career-ending injury
External Link: NRL Footy Show: The Rock rings Alex McKinnon
The Footy Show was often accused of immature and puerile humour, but it had more than its fair share of emotional moments.
In 2014, Alex McKinnon suffered a serious spinal injury playing for Newcastle against Melbourne, having fractured his C4 and C5 vertebrae in a tackle that ended his NRL career.
Actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson, otherwise known as The Rock, gave McKinnon a phone call during a Footy Show episode, offering encouragement and support in what was a heart-warming highlight of the program's lengthy run.
Meanwhile, the public response to the Footy Show's axing is leaning towards widespread support for the decision, although there have been some observers pointing to its role in rugby league during the last quarter of a century.
External Link: @RealSJOBrien tweets: So the Footy Show FINALLY got the final bullet. Only about 10 years overdue. External Link: @muzonsport tweets: I wonder what Ill do with my Thursday nights now theyve axed The Footy Show External Link: @Sportscns tweets: Finally over.#footyshow External Link: @ChrisGarry7 tweets:Yes it run its course BUT – at it's best The Footy Show revealed the characters of rugby league and brought casual fans and women especially closer to the game. It was never for the die-hards but when it was good – it converted fans.
The axing of the NRL Footy Show will add to the speculation its AFL counterpart will also be wound up by Channel Nine.
The AFL Footy Show also struggled for ratings in 2018, amid competition from Channel Seven's The Front Bar, despite a revamp last year when Eddie McGuire was brought back on board to host 12 years after leaving the program.
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