“I hope that Magic laughs the loudest at the joke.” That’s what Comedian & Actor Marlon Wayans hoped for back in May 2024. He spoke with the New York Times, before his Amazon special release. Three months later, he spoke with Shaquille O’Neal, the comedy maestro who also considers Magic Johnson an influential figure in his life. But he did laugh at a dark joke, which Magic once described as deadly.

First Wayans said, “You ain’t going get me to say that sh**,” when Shaq probed about the joke. Just a few seconds later, he spilled it out on Shaq’s podcast.”I just said he had the good AIDS and I said what AIDS you get when you live 50 years I want those AIDS. He’s become a billionaire with AIDS give me those AIDS. What kind of AIDS is this financial AIDS?”

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Stop, stop that was funny,” even Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t control via The Big Podcast as he giggled over the condition that could have been deadly for Johnson. Wayans did feel slight regret and said, “I don’t want to bump into Magic I love Magic too gosh sometimes my mouth gets me in trouble, God.” 

David Marchese of the New York Times, during the interview, informed Wayans about a key difference that he forgot. Magic Johnson was diagnosed with HIV and not Aids. The Lakers legend had to retire in 1991 when he received the news of testing positive for HIV.

Magic Johnson felt like it was like a “burden” when he wanted to keep it a secret. But because of the support from his wife Cookie, and an activist, Magic Johnson is continuing the fight even after so many years.

Magic Johnson and his fight with HIV

Activist Elizabeth Glaser played a crucial role even though she was on her deathbed. “The lady that really actually saved my life, Elizabeth Glaser, who was dying, told Cookie and I that I was going to be here a long time because drugs were coming down the pipeline. So she really convinced me to go public.”

Magic Johnson addressed the crowd of 700 audience, honoring Martin Luther King’s legacy on the 60th anniversary. At Arizona State University, he also spoke about how advanced medicines are right now, and previously there was a scarcity. Johnson also recalled AZT as the only medicine available at the time but said now the number is close to 40.

There were even concerns when Magic Johnson came back to play during the All-Star game in 1992, and eventually also formed the ‘Dream Team’. Some players were hesitant because of low awareness at the time, but the step Magic took was no joke. He might/ might not find the joke from Wayans funny, but his fight was real.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”