For sports fans, “The Last Dance” was an all-you-can-eat buffet of sports history, a detailed examination of Michael Jordan‘s complex, but always astonishing, career. That series – or movie, if you’re someone who likes to be combative on Letterboxd – may have also adjusted our appetite for sports documentaries, moving away from feature-length entries and towards more episodic storytelling. So is the case with “They Call Me Magic,” a four-part docuseries from Apple TV+ that examines the life of Earvin “Magic” Johnson on and off the court.
Those who know their basketball history – which, to be clear, does not include me – already know Johnson’s on-court achievements. With championships at both the collegiate and professional level – his five rings with the Lakers ties him with players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant for the franchise lead – Johnson was a force on the court and an influence on an entire generation of players that came after him.
But unlike many sports docuseries, “They Call Me Magic” promises to tell a compelling story long after Johnson has retired from the game of basketball. The trailer speaks to the aftermath of Johnson’s HIV-positive diagnosis, his work in the Black community following his retirement, and even his relationship with EJ Johnson, a genderfluid fashion icon within the gay community. And to tell this story, “They Call Me Magic” features a wealth of high-profile contributors, including former President Barack Obama.
The series will be helmed by Rick Famuyiwa, best known as the director of 2015’s “Dope” and several episodes of “The Mandalorian.” Here is the full description, courtesy of Apple TV+:
For global sports icon Earvin Johnson, “Magic” has many meanings. It’s the sparkle of his megawatt smile and dazzling style of play that forever changed the game of basketball. It’s the magnetic connection that led him to the love of his life. It’s the shock of an HIV diagnosis that he transformed from grief into triumph — shifting global dialogue about the disease and overcoming its staggering odds. It’s his transcendence from sports superstar to business titan, blazing new trails for former athletes and revolutionizing the way corporate America does business in Black communities. Featuring intimate interviews with Magic and an all-star lineup, “They Call Me Magic” charts the cinematic life of one of the biggest cultural icons of our era with unprecedented access in a definitive four-part documentary series.
“They Call Me Magic” will premiere on Apple TV+ on April 22, 2022.