“Magic Johnson Has Train-Wreck Potential.. It’s That Bad”: Despite Multi-Millionaire Status, 1 Decision Made the Lakers Icon a Public Punching Bag

The legendary Magic Johnson has served many careers throughout his lifetime. Although Johnson started as a 20-year-old basketballing sensation, he ended up being a successful multi-millionaire businessman after prematurely retiring from the NBA following his HIV diagnosis. Throughout the journey, the Los Angeles Lakers legend has endured a lot and experimented with a lot of things. One of those experiments led him to the sets of a late-night TV show. However, his attempts received a lot of flak and generated a lot of ridicule and criticism among fans.

Magic Johnson decided to be the host of the talk show The Magic Hour back in the late 90s. A decision that didn’t fare well, as most critics had nothing good to say about the short-lived late-night talk show.

Magic Johnson’s failed attempt to be a late-night talk show host

In the summer of 1998, 20th Century Fox decided to compete with the different Late Night shows on cable television by casting the legendary Magic Johnson. According to the people higher-up, Johnson’s charisma on the hardwood floors could be easily translated on camera. Safe to say the decision wasn’t really worth it, as after just a few months, the network decided to close shop on the production. But all of that didn’t happen till the show was the victim of stark criticism vfrom different circles.

Back in 1998, an article in The Washington Post accumulated a lot of reviews for late-night shows. One particular review from Aaron Barnhart on The Magic Hour was specifically brutal.

“I want to see this show in about four weeks,” said Barnhart. He further added. ” When he’s shot through all his A-list guests, when he’s listened to that idiot comedian every night for a month and when he is starting to ask himself why he started to do this show in first place. That’s when this show is going to be fun to watch, Magic has got train-wreck potential. It’s that bad.“

Barnhart wasn’t the only one critical of Johnson’s bizarre attempt. Many particularly pointed out the visible nervousness of the five-time NBA Champion while hosting in front of the camera.

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Fortunately, Johnson’s unfazed motivation never betrayed him. From being the best player on a team aged 20, to successfully battling HIV, he did it all. So now it was his time to be one of the best examples of a sportsperson turned businessman.

The humongous fortune created by the Magic Johnson Enterprises

The Lakers legend decided to put his energy into something more lucrative which led to the birth of ‘Magic Johnson Enterprises’. The company has acquired a ton of businesses over the years. From sports teams in MLS and MLB to insurance companies, the company has its feet dipped in multiple sectors. Its success is the major contributing factor in the five-time NBA Champion being worth $600 Million.

Magic Johnson recently addressed his successful ventures in an episode of The Pivot Podcast, as he talked about his decision to open Starbucks and movie theatres in the Black community.

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