Magic Johnson says he hasn't spoken to Stern since he made fun of Magic's AIDS in 1998.
Magic Johnson has revealed he hasn’t spoken to radio host Howard Stern since 1998 after the shock jock made jokes about the NBA legend’s AIDS diagnosis.
At the time of their interview, Johnson said, he felt like fighting Stern over the jokes he made.
Speaking with Variety ahead of the launch of his new Apple TV+ docuseries They Call Me Magic, Johnson opened up about the incident.
Johnson recalled having Stern as a guest on his talk show The Magic Hour which aired in 1998. According to Variety, Johnson’s producers thought it would be a good idea to have Stern appear as a guest, since he was one of the show’s biggest critics.
Stern relentlessly went after Johnson during the segment, offering him critiques about how to host his show, and infamously asked pointed questions regarding Johnson’s AIDS diagnosis.
“Listen, I know about the HIV and everything but I want to know about the life before HIV! You had the life I wanted!” Stern said. He added, “You present an image – a clean cut guy – this and that but I want to know about these booty parties that you used to have! White chicks, black chicks? What do we got? What do you prefer?”
An agitated Johnson replied, “It’s a party of everybody.”
“So you would just have sex with everybody? At least you had fun getting AIDS,” Stern said jokingly. “I know guys who go for a blood transfusion – it’s a real pain in the ass.” [17:35]
Johnson seems to try to steer the conversation elsewhere saying, “now look, first of all, let’s get something straight. HIV – and nobody has fun getting HIV.”
Stern butted in one last time, “believe me brother, you did!”
Speaking with Variety, he said “I wanted to say something and hit him at the same time — on air.”
“I was mad when they booked him, but there’s nothing you can do. When people look for ratings, this is what happens.”
Magic Johnson has revealed he hasn’t spoken to radio host Howard Stern since 1998 after the shock jock made jokes about the NBA legend’s AIDS diagnosis.
At the time of their interview, Johnson said, he felt like fighting Stern over the jokes he made.
Speaking with Variety ahead of the launch of his new Apple TV+ docuseries They Call Me Magic, Johnson opened up about the incident.
Johnson recalled having Stern as a guest on his talk show The Magic Hour which aired in 1998. According to Variety, Johnson’s producers thought it would be a good idea to have Stern appear as a guest, since he was one of the show’s biggest critics.
Stern relentlessly went after Johnson during the segment, offering him critiques about how to host his show, and infamously asked pointed questions regarding Johnson’s AIDS diagnosis.
“Listen, I know about the HIV and everything but I want to know about the life before HIV! You had the life I wanted!” Stern said. He added, “You present an image – a clean cut guy – this and that but I want to know about these booty parties that you used to have! White chicks, black chicks? What do we got? What do you prefer?”
An agitated Johnson replied, “It’s a party of everybody.”
“So you would just have sex with everybody? At least you had fun getting AIDS,” Stern said jokingly. “I know guys who go for a blood transfusion – it’s a real pain in the ass.” [17:35]
Johnson seems to try to steer the conversation elsewhere saying, “now look, first of all, let’s get something straight. HIV – and nobody has fun getting HIV.”
Stern butted in one last time, “believe me brother, you did!”
Speaking with Variety, he said “I wanted to say something and hit him at the same time — on air.”
“I was mad when they booked him, but there’s nothing you can do. When people look for ratings, this is what happens.”
Yes, this is absolutely true. Howard does his small amount of shows on SIRIUS from a studio in home in the Hamptons. Have no idea if he has flown down to his Palm Beach estate in the last two years or stayed his penthouse in NYC in the Upper West Side. This is a guy that use to jog in Central Park several times a week. I saw him coming back from one of his Central Park runs many years ago. There is not a chance in hell he would ever run in Central Park again. Too paranoid of being accosted by strangers. He doesn't travel anywhere. I guess he had planned to go to Italy with Jimmy Kimmel and both their wives before COVID hit. Doubtful he will ever make that trip. Got to be sad to be that wealthy and never travel anywhere. What are you afraid of. Travel the world staying in 5 Star hotels with limo service and taking a private jet anywhere you want to go. Jeff Bezos is out every night. He's got $150 billion and he is going to enjoy his life to fullest.
Stern 10 years ago was about hot chicks, lesbian’s, loved trump. Now it’s Cocktober, it’s more gayness than ever, hates Trump. He use to tout Matt Lauer, Alec Baldwin, Governor Cuomo, no mention of these dudes now. Loves Hillary , Fat Rosie, Thinks Biden doing a great job never rips on Biden For all his fuck ups, total Liberal hypochondriac
