AllMovie

Do you believe in magic? LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson (aka Earvin Johnson) is the host/co-executive producer of this syndicated latenight talkshow taped in Los Angeles (by Magic Johnson Enterprises and Fox Nitetime Productions in association with Twentieth TV). With dynamic percussionist, musical director, bandleader Sheila E. swinging into the show's opening fanfare theme ("Are You Ready for Magic?"), the energetic 38-year-old Magic bounced into the center court of the latenight game with plenty of charm, charisma, and promotional hype, plus his own sidekick, comedian Craig Shoemaker, with Jimmy Hodson on board as the announcer. Guests during Magic's first week included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Whitney Houston, Harrison Ford, Peta Wilson (of TV's La Femme Nikita), Arsenio Hall, Michael Douglas, Kenny G., and Christine Lahti. Magic described his show as "like myself -- fun, crazy, but a good environment." The series premiered June 8, 1998 on numerous Fox affiliates.