Neanderthal Footy Show

I cheerfully admit to not having watched more than about 30 seconds of any episode of The Footy Show since around 1996 (it started in 1994). I became bored with Sam Newman's boorish, locker room humour and penchant for humiliating those least capable of standing up for themselves. Without Newman's influence, the rest of the show is pleasant enough in a blokey but muzak-like style (unlike the nonsense that is the NRL version of The Footy Show).

It's clear that Newman is an intelligent person — he would not have retained his prominence over more than a decade were he not. It's also clear that he courts controversy. Caroline Wilson, Newman's latest 'target', like most 'serious' journalists, can be a little precious at times, but that does not excuse Newman's boorish behaviour.

Today's Age reports that the show's ratings went through the roof on the back of this latest Newman-based controversy. It's hard to escape the conclusion that Newman is on a pretty long 'leash' from management and may indeed have a brief to generate controversy as a means of maintaining audience share.

The (AFL) Footy Show takes the lowest common denominator as its high-water mark for audience. Those who watch, or take public offence at its shenanigans, do little more than provide life-giving oxygen. Without an audience, Newman and co would be off the airwaves quicker than you can say Sam's Mailbag.