LISTEN | Eddie McGuire Reflects On How The Footy Show Transformed Football

On the Hot Breakfast

Image: Triple M

Eddie McGuire has reflected on how The Footy Show transformed both footy and TV in its 26-year run.

He spoke about the germination of the show, and said there was a bit of skepticism on it early.

“When we first started the show we were told ‘you’ve got six weeks to make it rate’, and here we are 26 years later and we’ve got 729 more episodes out of it than anybody thought on the first night,” Ed said on the Hot Breakfast this morning.

“It’s been a huge success, I think it transformed football, and certainly the entertainment and the commercialisation of the game, so we’re hugely proud of that.

“Sam Newman should be in the TV hall of fame… there is no doubt that Sam Newman has been one of the most influential people in the history of media in this town.

“Now that the show’s finished we can actually reflect on that.”

Ed said the final show was something that the crew should be proud of.

“I watched last night’s show with critical eyes and I thought it was a really good show,” he said.

“I think Lehmo and Neroli and all the team there, Fev, Dylan Alcott and Crawf should be proud of the last show that went to air.

“I’m proud of what went to air last night.”

Ed sent his thoughts out to the back of house employees at the Footy Show.

“My heart goes out, personally, to all the crew… Melbourne production is very important, and something I fight hard for, we’re losing a lot of it.

“It’s one of the last of the big shows that is done in Melbourne… there’s a lot of people who have put a lot of kids through school and put a lot of meals on tables and a lot of people have worked hard on it.”

We also got callers to ring in and give us their favourite memories from the Footy Show’s run.