David Schwarz recalls mum's F-bomb at Eddie McGuire after Footy Show scandal

In 2001, during a live episode of The Footy Show, David Schwarz was hit in the face with a cream pie by Sam Newman as part of a mock punishment for Schwarz's performance in his 150th AFL game. This incident escalated when Schwarz retaliated by pushing Newman, causing him to fall and injure his back. The event shocked viewers and led to a significant backlash against the show's host, Eddie McGuire. Schwarz's mother, Mary, a tough single parent with a background in law enforcement, called McGuire to express her outrage. She demanded public apologies from both McGuire and Channel Nine, threatening repercussions if her demands were not met. McGuire attempted to diffuse the situation by offering her a trip to Bali, which ultimately led to her backing down from her initial demands. Despite the incident's notoriety, no formal apology was issued. In 2020, Newman suggested that the pie-throwing incident was pre-arranged and that Schwarz had benefited from the publicity surrounding it. This revelation raised questions about the authenticity of the prank and its impact on the show's reputation, as it made other guests hesitant to participate in similar antics. The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in Australian television history, highlighting the unpredictable nature of live broadcasts and the potential fallout from seemingly harmless pranks.