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The decline of the Footy Show and it's impact on 'footy' culture

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It could nearly be upon us: the cancelation of Australia's premiere bogan mirth factory, the Footy Show. Yet again, it has been smashed in the ratings by the Front Bar in most markets (though it was pretty close in Perth).

There are reasons for this. A style and manner of presentation that has been pretty much the same for nearly 25 years (with slight changes to the format). The inevitable use by date of most TV programs. Sam Newman's gradual metamorphosis from boorish lad (who at least seemed to be enjoying himself) to the footballing world's version of Walt Kowalski from Gran Torino.

However, and this is something that may threaten the AFL's longevity, I believe that essentially that the show continues to present a vision of Australian society that is far removed from what Australia actually is becoming. 

I will try very hard not to veer into partisan politics and make this about cultural demographics and values. However, the Footy Show STILL lots forth a version of AFL culture which is akin to jocks tripping up nerds and weirdos in the corridor. Take one look at Street Talk and tell me otherwise.

More than anything else, it is mostly loaded with a bunch of 'good ol' boy' types who are mostly white as ivory, ragingly heterosexual (and in some cases chauvinistic), and dripping with plain old  'I was lucky to pass the intermediate he he he' dumbness.

Be anyone from outside those demographics and you would wonder if this game wanted to exclude you of you were to watch the Footy Show off one were to view it as emblematic of AFL culture. Believe me that it was for many years.

Thoughts?

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    On 8/8/2018 at 9:41 AM, Colin B. Flaubert said:

    It could nearly be upon us: the cancelation of Australia's premiere bogan mirth factory, the Footy Show. Yet again, it has been smashed in the ratings by the Front Bar in most markets (though it was pretty close in Perth).

    There are reasons for this. A style and manner of presentation that has been pretty much the same for nearly 25 years (with slight changes to the format). The inevitable use by date of most TV programs. Sam Newman's gradual metamorphosis from boorish lad (who at least seemed to be enjoying himself) to the footballing world's version of Walt Kowalski from Gran Torino.

    However, and this is something that may threaten the AFL's longevity, I believe that essentially that the show continues to present a vision of Australian society that is far removed from what Australia actually is becoming. 

    I will try very hard not to veer into partisan politics and make this about cultural demographics and values. However, the Footy Show STILL lots forth a version of AFL culture which is akin to jocks tripping up nerds and weirdos in the corridor. Take one look at Street Talk and tell me otherwise.

    More than anything else, it is mostly loaded with a bunch of 'good ol' boy' types who are mostly white as ivory, ragingly heterosexual (and in some cases chauvinistic), and dripping with plain old  'I was lucky to pass the intermediate he he he' dumbness.

    Be anyone from outside those demographics and you would wonder if this game wanted to exclude you of you were to watch the Footy Show off one were to view it as emblematic of AFL culture. Believe me that it was for many years.

    Thoughts?

    My thoughts are that there are bigger fish to fry .... the footy show represented in some ways the absolute obsession that people have (or had) with the sport. 

    But that obsession with the sport has dissipated somewhat so the popularity of a show like the footy show loses its appeal.  And it's all to do with the aesthetics of the game ... many people I know now find the sport to be just about the pure winning or the losing.  My view is largely similar. 

    Taking that a step further is that if you're not going to watch the sport with any great passion with regards to the aesthetics why would you continue to watch a show like the footy show?  It's all relative and the connections to me are quite obvious. 

    I've always said that all the things that have a connection to the sport (tipping comps,  fantasy sports,  the traditions,  colours,  jumper,  the tribalism & rivalries,  gambling etc etc) aren't enough to keep people watching wall-to-wall unless the sport is largely aesthetically pleasing as well.

    However,  I'm enjoying seeing the Demons resurgence and the fact that we're now starting to win but the actual sport leaves me cold.  So I now have to watch a team that I love play a sport that I largely dislike.  It's quite the dilemma.

    I live in Melbourne Col and with my work I end up talking to hundreds of different people every month about sports of all sorts.  Footy has taken a huge back seat with regards to the conversations and I don't drive those chats.

    The footy fanatics here and elsewhere will probably see my words as blasphemous but those fanatics are not the problem for me at all.  The AFL is lucky to have them on board ... it's those who are turning away who are the problem. 

    Put another way - if the sport was to be still the spectacular game for all who grew up loving it then a show like the footy show has a great chance of thriving.  The content of the show gets pushed aside if there's an across-the-board genuine love of the sport. 

    But once that love is gone the content of a show like the footy show becomes front & centre (and exposed for what it is in the points that you outlined)

    I can remember a time when the only criticism of footy came from those who weren't brought up on the sport.  And that wasn't that long ago.

    Edited by Macca

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    This is one of the great threads on demonland by a leftist. I don't even know where to start?

    the show winning the ratings is a panel of three white guys with a misoginist leader. 

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    2 hours ago, Wrecker45 said:

    This is one of the great threads on demonland by a leftist. 

    Because of course you aren't allowed to have an opinion unless you are a neckbeard mouth breather citizen of Kekistan.

    Oh sorry. When that happens it's called 'free speech'. 

    Edited by Colin B. Flaubert

  • Quote

    I can understand that point of view to be honest @Macca

    I find that the suburban charm that was the VFL has given way to AFL Inc. The handling of the Essendon doping case, ground rationalization, the ill guided expansion and HQ's overall hubris annoys me no end.

    I still think the AFL needs to take a step back from the ultra masculine, white, lad culture that has dominated it for time immemorial (as it has dominated the Footy Show), I can understand other reasons behind both mediums fall in ratings.

  • Quote

    57 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

    I can understand that point of view to be honest @Macca

    I find that the suburban charm that was the VFL has given way to AFL Inc. The handling of the Essendon doping case, ground rationalization, the ill guided expansion and HQ's overall hubris annoys me no end.

    I still think the AFL needs to take a step back from the ultra masculine, white, lad culture that has dominated it for time immemorial (as it has dominated the Footy Show), I can understand other reasons behind both mediums fall in ratings.

    The professionalism has changed the essence of the sport ... I'm just thankful that I saw footy when it was played the way it was for decades.  From the mid 1990's the sport started changing but I'm reasonably sure it was always going to change with the professionalism.

    But I've always been willing to broaden my horizons so there's a stack of other sports and other forms of entertainment that will get my attention.  So,  in essence,  I've come to terms with it all and am not all that fussed anymore Col.

    The flow on effect is that if there's less interest in the sport then the shows surrounding the sport will be on the wane as well. 

    Edited by Macca

  • Quote

    The Footy Show doesn’t have a niche anymore. Once upon a time it was the one stop shop to get team news, interviews and spontaneous slapstick comedy. Oh yeah, and it was one of THE ONLY places to get this. 

    We now have Fox Footy where you can watch 360 each night for news, analysis and interviews as well as On The Couch. There’s a myriad of podcasts available for interviews, analysis, Footy humour, whatever you want in a consumable size. There’s free to air shows like Footy Classified for news, Front Bar for a laugh and a trip down memory lane. The footy show doesn’t fit anywhere. It’s nearly but none of these things. Even if something funny happens on it you don’t have to watch the full show anymore to see it. With a quick google I was able to see Chris Judd’s stupid cancer joke in a matter of seconds. 

    The only chance for the Footy Show to survive is to pull it back to 60 minutes. Times have changed and no-one gives a toss about a 90 minute variety show on a Thurs night. 

    Edited by layzie

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