Matty Johns tackles Footy Show with next project
* By Paul Kent
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* November 07, 2009 12:00AM
MATTHEW Johns claims it is only a "possibility" but it is next to certain he will return to television next year in direct opposition to former Channel 9 powerhouse The Footy Show.
From the dark hollows where he disappeared, Johns emerged yesterday under a bright new sun.
Many have been awaiting Johns' return. Nobody believed it would be quite like this.
He has formed a production company with ad-man John Singleton and will now concentrate on multi-faceted media projects.
While reluctant to discuss any ideas already under way, a movie is already being planned involving Paul Hogan's former business partner John "Strop" Cornell.
Johns' resurgence has the potential to make him wealthy far beyond anything he could have achieved had he remained at Nine.
The new business started in the quiet conversations he had with Singleton following the rupturing of his career after a Four Corners program in May named him at the centre of a group sex investigation that occurred eight years ago.
Singleton was one of a number of highly successful people calling to provide moral support, but over time began discussing business ideas.
"When Singo first called me I didn't fob it off, but I was in no condition to really consider it," Johns said.
The retired footballer was still in a place where he hardly answered his telephone, where he often agreed to catch up with a friend but called up late to cancel.
"One of the most difficult things was looking at the pain and embarrassment that I caused the people closest to me," he said.
"It was my actions that caused it."
Then three weeks ago Trish Johns walked into the loungeroom and saw her husband sitting on the lounge and took a seat next to him.
"I don't know whether you've noticed," she said, "but myself and the kids are getting on with the rest of our lives and, for our sake, we need you to do the same."
Johns spoke to Singleton with more certainty next time, and the company was born.
"I was a bit, to be honest, I was a bit all over the place and I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life," he said.
Now it is different. The production company has real appeal for Johns and while he turns his back on a $600,000-a-year contract with Nine for a job with no certainty, it could potentially earn him millions.
"If he can get a show to work then he might be able to make money, and not just get fees for being an on-air talent," Nine chief executive David Gyngell said. "I'm happy for him."
The rival footy show would be fronted by Johns and 2GB's Ray Hadley, who Seven is known to be keen on signing. Seven also intends to go in heavily for the National Rugby League's free-to-air rights when they are next available, making a new-look footy show featuring Johns and Hadley more appealing.
Asked about The Footy Show opposition, Johns was non-committal: "It could be a possibility." Singleton was more forthright: "I like the way you're thinking," he said.
Gyngell was unconcerned: "I've got no concerns, footy shows are footy shows. We've got a good brand there." Gyngell said he would be surprised if Johns and Hadley developed a program and Nine was not given a chance to bid for it.
While Singleton has plans for Johns beyond a footy show, the program would provide cash flow to begin funding other developments.
Hadley was last night intrigued.
"I'm contracted to Singo until 2011 and my contract includes all electronic media work," he said.
"I can't do TV without his involvement, so . . ."
Johns and Singleton own 50 per cent each of the new company, which has yet to be named. Singleton has given Johns as long as he needs to develop sellable programs.
/ 
