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Eddie McGuire

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Eddie McGuire
Born (1964-10-29) 29 October 1964 (age 59)
Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)President of Collingwood Football Club, Broadcaster
Employer(s)Southern Cross Austereo, Nine Entertainment Co., News Limited, Foxtel.
SpouseCarla McGuire

Edward Joseph "Eddie" McGuire AM (born 29 October 1964) is an Australian television presenter and businessman known for his long association with Australian rules football and the Channel 9 television network.

McGuire is the current president of the Collingwood Football Club and Melbourne Stars Twenty20 cricket franchise, and the current host of Channel Nine program Millionaire Hot Seat. He is also the host of Triple M Melbourne's breakfast show The Hot Breakfast with Mick Molloy and Luke Darcy, as well as being an Australian rules football commentator for Fox Footy. He also has his own show on the channel, EMT which is broadcast on Wednesday nights, as well as being a columnist for the Herald Sun. He has worked as a sports journalist, sports broadcaster and game show host. McGuire has hosted the Nine Network's The AFL Footy Show, the Australian version of game shows Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and 1 vs. 100. He is a former CEO of the Nine Network, resigning on 30 June 2007. He returned to commentating Friday night football in August 2007 when he began a new contract with Melbourne radio station SEN 1116 to commentate one match a round.[1] He is also a director at the Victorian Major Events Company.

Early media career

McGuire grew up in the disadvantaged low socio-economic suburb of Broadmeadows [2] He and older brother Frank McGuire both won scholarships to Christian Brothers College. Frank McGuire, who worked as a newspaper sports reporter, helped McGuire to get his first job in the media as an Australian Rules Football statistician and cricket reporter for The Herald (1978–1982). Later he became a cadet sports reporter for Network Ten and then transferred, in 1993, to the Nine Network where he became the host of a sports variety program,

TV hosting: 1994–2006

McGuire's role at Nine expanded when he became the host of The Footy Show (AFL) in 1994. He remained on the show until 2005.

In April 1999, he began hosting the Australian edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, a successful Australian franchise of the globally exported television game show. He hosted the program from its première on 18 April 1999 until 3 April 2006. He briefly returned to the show after an 18-month hiatus in 2007.

McGuire hosted the annual Australian Logie Awards show in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

McGuire also hosted the Sydney New Year's Eve 1999–00 telecast.

McGuire was a football radio caller at Triple M, a station which had previously concentrated on rock music. He also wrote a football review for The Herald's successor The Herald Sun, as well as becoming involved in a variety of sports and media-related business ventures.

McGuire was a prominent campaigner for Australian republicanism (the movement for replacement of the British monarch as Australia's head of state).[3] He was elected as a delegate to represent Victoria at the 1998 Constitutional Convention, which led to the 1999 referendum.

Collingwood Football Club

On 29 October 1998, McGuire was elected by the vote of the members as president of Collingwood Football Club, an Australian Rules Football club which was then in financial and on-field difficulties. Results on the field were slow in coming, with Collingwood finishing 16th, the last position ("wooden spoon"), in his first year in charge. In 2002 and 2003 they played in successive losing grand-finals against the Brisbane Lions.

2010 brought "tears of joy" for McGuire when Collingwood defeated St Kilda in the AFL Grand Final replay.[4][5][6] The first match resulted in a draw, prompting McGuire to say before the replay that "he had seen more drawn Collingwood Grand Finals (1977 and 2010) than he had seen premierships".[6]

Football media

Despite Tim Lane's resignation, Friday Night Football proved a huge success for Channel Nine, in no small part due to the presence of, in his own words, "the biggest name on the Nine Network", McGuire himself. McGuire also claimed that a decline in ratings for Friday night telecasts in 2006 was partly because "I didn't do football this year." [7]

CEO of the Nine Network

On 9 February 2006 it was announced that McGuire would become the new CEO of the Nine Network,[8] filling a vacancy created by the departure of David Gyngell in May 2005.[9] McGuire had to sacrifice his on-air commitments including hosting The AFL Footy Show and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, as well as AFL commentary, for what turned out to be a very short term tenure.

According to Business Review Weekly McGuire's on-air salary was $3.5 million a year. Gyngell had earned $1.1 million a year by comparison. According to the 2006 PBL annual report, McGuire is reported to be on a $4 million fixed remuneration contract.[10]

In May 2006, McGuire travelled to Beaconsfield, Tasmania to rally Nine News reporters covering the mine collapse. McGuire came out of on-air retirement to host the event, which was broadcast as part of The AFL Footy Show (both versions).

Before leaving for the Munich edition of The Footy Show he announced the elimination of 100 jobs, most in news and current affairs. Despite a vigorous publicity campaign by the CEO these cost-cutting measures severely damaged morale at the network. On one program McGuire's required job-cuts exceeded the actual number of employees. This raised questions in both the media and within Channel 9 itself about the competence of Nine's executives.[11]

The troubles worsened when an affidavit written by a Channel 9 executive affected by the purges was leaked to the press and Nine failed in its attempts to suppress it. It contained allegations regarding McGuire's treatment of employees. The document's author, Mark Llewellyn (previous head of news and current affairs who has since found work at Channel 7), claimed that McGuire and his staff had told him that he would be forced to "eat a shit sandwich" (accept a dramatic pay-cut). He also recalled conversations with McGuire where the CEO had spoken of wanting to "bone" (fire) Jessica Rowe, co-host of the network's Today show. Following these allegations McGuire guaranteed Rowe her position on the program.[11] McGuire has strongly denied the allegations. On 6 May 2007, Llewellyn's position was vindicated when it was announced that Jessica Rowe would not be returning to Channel 9.[12]

McGuire's decision to force Jana Wendt off the Sunday program backfired with the relaunch of the show on 3 September 2006. The Nine Network's switchboard was flooded with an unprecedented number of calls complaining about the new format and hosts.[13]

This episode was considered by many in the media as a failure by the 'P-plated CEO' (a term coined by Sydney tabloids) to manage the network in a professional and ethical manner. It also fuelled speculation as to his longevity in his position as CEO of Nine.[11]

On 18 May 2007, McGuire announced he would be resigning as CEO of the Nine network and would be taking on a new position in programming services as well as more on-screen roles.[14] He officially resigned as CEO on 30 June 2007.

TV hosting: 2007 – present

In January 2007, McGuire returned to the TV screen, hosting the Australian version of the quiz show, 1 vs. 100.

On 9 June 2007, McGuire temporarily took over hosting duties of A Current Affair while regular host Tracy Grimshaw was on leave. This saw the ratings of the show increase with 1.42 million viewers tuning in to watch on his first night of hosting.[15] Rival program Today Tonight still beat ACA with 1.470 million viewers.[16] The ratings for ACA slumped to 1.217 million viewers the following Tuesday whilst Today Tonight achieved 1.549 million viewers.[16]

In February 2009, McGuire hosted a telethon for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.[17] He also hosted a telethon from Brisbane on 9 January 2011 for the 2010–2011 Queensland flood victims alongside Leila McKinnon and Karl Stefanovic at the Suncorp Piazza.[18]

Since April 2009, McGuire has hosted the weeknight game show Millionaire Hot Seat program. This show airs at 5.30pm.

In early 2011, McGuire hosted another prime time quiz show, The Million Dollar Drop, lasting only for six episodes. He then became the host of the sports-themed quiz show, Between the Lines. His return was short lived when the show quickly failed in the ratings, being axed by Channel 9 after only three episodes had been to air.[19] The fourth and final episode was broadcast on 2 June 2011.

During 2011 he hosted This is Your Life however the show did not return in 2012 [20]

McGuire joined Fox Footy in 2012 in an AFL commentary and program pannelist role, while still remaining at the Nine Network to host Millionaire Hot Seat and the station's Olympic coverage.[21] As part of his new contract with Fox Sports however, he will be spared commentating on matches involving Collingwood to avoid a conflict of interests. This also means McGuire will appear occasionally on the Seven Network, although not in Melbourne when it picks up the Fox Footy feed for its AFL coverage. The Seven Network is forced to show West Australian, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian viewers games featuring their respective teams live.

London Olympics

During the 2012 London Olympics, McGuire presented his Triple M radio program from London each weekday. In addition, he called events for the Nine Network and Foxtel and co-hosted the opening and closing ceremonies with Leila McKinnon.[22]

McGuire and McKinnon's commentary of the Olympic opening ceremony was widely criticised in newspapers and on Twitter. Errors including spoilers before surprise appearances, ill-timed remarks, reference to the Peter Pan character Captain Hook as Captain Cook and Abraham Lincoln as a prime minister of the United Kingdom.[23] The McGuire and McKinnon commentary was not used for Foxtel's coverage of the opening ceremony.

Racism controversy

On 29 May 2013 McGuire made an on-air racist reference to Adam Goodes and King Kong four days after a 13-year-old Collingwood fan had unknowingly racially vilified Goodes by referring to him as an 'ape' at the MCG[24], following which McGuire apologised to Goodes "on behalf of the Collingwood Football Club and on behalf of football".[25] McGuire had criticised the girl and said Collingwood had a "zero tolerance" policy towards racism. He apologised on air after making the reference.[26][27] McGuire's comments were widely criticised.[28]

Honours

McGuire's service to Australia has been recognised by the award of Member of the Order of Australia (2005) "for service to the community, particularly through support for health care and welfare organisations, and to broadcasting".[29]

McGuire was awarded the Australian Sports Medal (2001) "for service to Australian Football".[30]

On 17 May 2013, RMIT University awarded McGuire an honorary doctorate, making him a Doctor of Communications honoris causa. The honour recognises McGuire's achievements in media, entertainment, sport and community-based activities.[31]

McGuire is also a member of the Australian Government's Social Inclusion Board.[32]

In popular culture

McGuire's one-time near-ubiquity in Channel Nine programming led him to be nicknamed "Eddie Everywhere".[33][34] In 2004 the ABC comedy television program CNNNN featured a satirical skit about his permeation of Australian media called the "Eddie McGuire Virus".[35]

On 9 January 2005, in keeping with his nickname, McGuire was on Australia's three commercial TV networks (Seven, Nine, Ten) at the same time, hosting a show simulcast on the networks to raise money for the 2004 Asian Tsunami victims.[36]

Publications

  • McGuire, Eddie and Jim Main. Pants: The Darren Millane Story. Melbourne: Modern Publishing Group, 1994. ISBN 1-875481-53-2
  • McGuire, Eddie and Jim Main. The Footy Show screamers: Wit and wisdom of Dermott, Doug, Jason, Rex, Sam, Tim-God, Plugger and more! Melbourne: Wilkinson Books, 1994. ISBN 0-546-65129-1

See also

References

  1. ^ Footy, for 'love' alone
  2. ^ Eddie McGuire buys $11million mansion in Toorak, Melbourne | thetelegraph.com.au. Dailytelegraph.com.au (2008-10-19). Retrieved on 2011-10-14.
  3. ^ Vizard, Steve, Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear Baiting and Backbiting At the Constitutional Convention (Penguin, 1998, ISBN 0-14-027983-0)
  4. ^ Woods, Melissa (2 October 2010). "McGuire weeps tears of joy as Pies win". The Age. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  5. ^ Ballantyne, Adrian (3 October 2010). "Pies dominate Saints to win Grand Final replay by 56 points". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  6. ^ a b Sheahan, Mike (3 October 2010). "Mick Malthouse fixed to take a double". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. ^ Fidgeon, Robert (13 December 2006). "Eddie plays hardball". Herald Sun.
  8. ^ Hogan, Jesse (9 February 2006). "McGuire CEO show live on air". Melbourne: The Age. Retrieved 12 April 2007.
  9. ^ "Gyngell resigns from Nine". APP. Melbourne: The Age. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2007.
  10. ^ "Publishing and Broadcasting Limited Concise Annual Report 2006". Publishing and Broadcasting Limited. p. 76. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2007.
  11. ^ a b c "It's black and white: team says Eddie's out of form". The Age. Melbourne. 2 September 2006.
  12. ^ "Nine 'bones' Rowe". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  13. ^ Viewers let Nine know what they think of the new Sunday. Crikey (2006-09-05). Retrieved on 2011-10-14.
  14. ^ Harrison, Dan (18 May 2007). "'I wasn't given the flick'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  15. ^ Dunn, Emily (10 June 2008). "Eddie McGuire boosts A Current Affair's ratings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  16. ^ a b "Seven Daily report" (PDF). Seven Network. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  17. ^ Darren Devlyn, 10 February 2009. "Eddie McGuire to host Channel Nine fundraiser for Victoria fire victims". Retrieved on 9 August 2009
  18. ^ Knox, David (10 January 2011). "Sound Relief 2 to Queensland's rescue". Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  19. ^ Quinn, Karl (27 May 2011). "Game over for Eddie's Between The Lines". The Age.
  20. ^ "Eddie McGuire to host new version of This Is Your Life". Herald Sun. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  21. ^ http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/foxtel-announces-eddie-mcguire-will-spearhead-fox-sports-afl-coverage-in-2012-on-fox-footy/story-e6frf3e3-1226187248642
  22. ^ "Nine unveils Olympic coverage plans". Media Spy. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  23. ^ "Network's commentary of errors". 29 July 2012.
  24. ^ Ejected teenage fan didn't know 'ape' was racist
  25. ^ Eddie McGuire apologises to Adam Goodes after a Magpies fan racially vilified the Sydney champion News.com.au
  26. ^ Matt Thompson, "McGuire apologises for gaffe linking Goodes and King Kong", AFL.Com 29 May 2013 accessed 29 May 2013
  27. ^ Matt Windley, "Adam Goodes 'gutted' after 13-year-old girl's racial slur, who called the Sydney champion today to apologise". Herald Sun 25 May 2013 accessed 29 May 2013
  28. ^ Caroline Wilson, " Swans 'bewildered' by McGuire's gaffe", The Age, 29 May 2013 accessed 29 May 2013
  29. ^ It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia
  30. ^ It's an Honour – Australian Sports Medal
  31. ^ Eddie McGuire to be awarded an honorary doctorate from RMIT University Herald Sun 17 May 2013 | Retrieved 17 May 2013
  32. ^ In search of a way to involve all
  33. ^ "'Eddie Everywhere' returns to hosting duties for World Cup", Retrieved on 9 August 2009
  34. ^ 21 August 2007. "Eddie Everywhere returns to the commentary box", Retrieved on 9 August 2009
  35. ^ 18 May 2007. "Back After the Break: Eddie McGuire Resigns as Nine CEO". Retrieved on 9 August 2009
  36. ^ 8.6 "Million Australians reach out tO Asia" (pdf), freetv.com.au. 9 January 2005. Retrieved on 2011-10-14.

Further reading

  • Stone, Gerald. Who Killed Channel 9?: The Death of Kerry Packer's Mighty TV Dream Machine. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2007. ISBN 978-1-4050-3815-7

External links


Preceded by Collingwood Football Club
President
1999– 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by Nine Network
CEO
February 2006 – June 2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
program started
 AFL Footy Show
Host
1994–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
program started
 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Host
1999– 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by The Hot Breakfast
Host
September 2009– 		Succeeded by
incumbent

Template:Logie Awards hosts Template:Sydney New Year's Eve Hosts

Template:Persondata

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