Former rugby league star and television personality Beau Ryan has publicly expressed his interest in seeing the once-popular NRL Footy Show return to screens, but with a significant caveat. Ryan believes the programme should only be revived for a limited run during the National Rugby League finals series each year.
The Proposal for a Limited Comeback
Ryan, who played for the Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks, made his comments during his regular slot on the Triple M radio show, where he hosts alongside Aaron Woods and Cat Lynch. He argued that a condensed version of the show would leave fans wanting more, thereby capitalising on its nostalgic appeal.
"I feel like there's a market for it," Ryan stated. "But the thing about the market for it, is you gotta leave them (fans) wanting more. I reckon a finals series [with one show per week]. Four weeks of it until the grand finale. I think a network is crazy not to have a crack at it."
Ryan was a central figure on the Nine network's programme during its peak, most famous for his beloved 'Beau Knows' segment. He was part of the original format hosted by Paul 'Fatty' Vautin and later the revamped version fronted by Erin Molan.
A Show with a Complex Legacy
The NRL Footy Show first aired in 1994 and became a Thursday night institution for over two decades, featuring legends of the game like Peter Sterling, Steve Roach and Matthew Johns. However, its casual and often irreverent style drew both ardent fans and sharp criticism.
The programme was frequently polarising due to its use of sexual and politically incorrect humour. It faced controversy over sketches such as former cricketer Greg Ritchie's portrayal of the fictional character 'Mahatma Cote', which was widely condemned as racially and culturally insensitive.
After Vautin was let go at the end of 2017, the revamped show struggled with low ratings and was ultimately axed by the Nine Network in 2018.
Recent Context and Lasting Impact
The conversation around the show and its former panelists has resurfaced recently following the sad news of co-star Mario Fenech's dementia diagnosis, with reports suggesting few former colleagues have kept in contact.
Despite its controversial moments, Ryan's career was significantly boosted by his time on the show, making him a household name and a fan favourite. He has since moved to Channel Ten and maintains a successful media career.
Ryan, who has been married to his wife Cara since 2012, now presents a vision for the show's future that is tightly focused on the sport's most exciting period. His proposal seeks to harness the heightened excitement of the finals while avoiding the potential for viewer fatigue that may have contributed to the original show's decline.
