The Magic Hour

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The Magic Hour was a talk show hosted by basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson that debuted on June 8, 1998 on syndicated television. The talk show was lambasted by critics and consumers alike, with many pointing to Johnson's lack of television experience. The show was cancelled after eight weeks on the air.

[edit] Howard Stern

Perhaps the most memorable episode was the one that featured Howard Stern as a guest (along with Drew Carey and Playmate Karen McDougal). Booking Stern on the show was a risky move considering the radio personality had spent weeks ruthlessly mocking The Magic Hour on his popular morning show, but ratings had dropped off to a dangerous level and there was inherent drama and tension in a Stern-Johnson confrontation. Indeed, Stern was his usual crude self, making jokes about Johnson's pre-HIV womanizing and telling Johnson that even though he was HIV-positive, at least he had fun contracting the disease. Johnson was obviously offended. He was unable to produce a witty comeback, though in a future episode he had a chimpanzee give the absent Stern raspberries.

[edit] Cancellation

After its cancellation, MADtv began to parody the idea of Magic Johnson having other types of shows, including game show host and judge. Each sketch consisted of Magic (portrayed by Aries Spears struggling to read. For example in the game show sketch, which parodied Jeopardy!, Magic stumbled over the clues. In another sketch he struggles to read a Dr. Seuss book to children. However, the closing of the sketch would always consist of two words Magic could understand: '"You're Canceled!"'

The sitcom Unhappily Ever After also made fun of the show in a fall-1998 episode. Ryan (Kevin Connolly) makes a pass at a girl, who turns him down, saying she's watching a magic show. However, she's referring to the short-lived talk show, and the producers superimpose an on-screen graphic lampooning the show. At the end of the episode, another graphic appears on the screen: "RIP 'Magic Hour', 1998-1998."

In a memorable appearance on the Bob and Tom radio program, Johnson's sidekick Craig Shoemaker said Johnson was earnest, but ridiculed him for taking little interest in the program. According to Shoemaker, Johnson usually showed up at the studio shortly before the taping was set to begin, asking the staff, "So, what are going to do today?"