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Season 1 – They Call Me Magic

2022 Documentary Sports List
69% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 93% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings
The accomplishments and global impact of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, both on and off the court; featuring interviews with Magic Johnson, his family members and others. Read More Read Less
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They Call Me Magic — Season 1

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They Call Me Magic — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

They Call Me Magic is too overextended to be truly spellbinding, but Magic Johnson proves a charming narrator of his own life in a docuseries that should be mandatory viewing for basketball fans.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Lowry CNN.com Even those who are familiar with Johnson's career will likely find new wrinkles and anecdotes here thanks to the broad reach of the interviews. And besides, what basketball fan couldn't use an assist when it comes to putting more Magic in their lives? Apr 22, 2022 Full Review Jochan Embley London Evening Standard Call it nominative determinism, or simply a fair description, but the life and career of the man they named Magic Johnson has been nothing short of miraculous -- and this four-part docu-series proves it. Rated: 3/5 Apr 22, 2022 Full Review Jack Seale Guardian Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the cream, the best, on a level above the A list – but when there’s such an overwhelming winner, there’s no sport. Rated: 2/5 Apr 22, 2022 Full Review Diego Batlle Otroscines.com Attractive yet conventional. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 May 11, 2022 Full Review Marty Brown Common Sense Media Magic's story on its own is so compelling that it's well worth becoming familiar with, but They Call Me Magic could've done a much stronger job of helping it resonate. Rated: 3/5 May 3, 2022 Full Review Dominic Patten Deadline Hollywood Daily No disrespect to Magic Johnson on or off the court, but this very authorized love-in lacks the stakes or the drama of the Michael Jordan docuseries, The Last Dance. Apr 26, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
ranny l I like They Call Me Magic because it is a four-episode docuseries about the life and career of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the five time NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. The audience can appreciate Magic's humbleness, sacrifices and challenges he went through in order to be the Legend he is today. They Call Me Magic is about the beginning of Earvin "Magic" Johnson's career as a basketball player, his journey from playing in high school, college, becoming an NBA All Star player, and a successful businessman and advocate for the minority communities. The audience will learn where his nickname Magic came from. What type of obstacles Magic had to go through to have the successful life he has today. He experienced racism, rivalry, jealousy, three engagements gone wrong with his actual wife, Cookie Johnson, he has the HIV virus and had to deal with the acceptance of his son, EJ Johnson, being homosexual and the repercussion that comes with it. This Apple TV+ docuseries was directed by Rick Famuyiwa with editor Dirk Westervelt and cinematographer Rachel Morrison. The audience will enjoy listening to special guests narrating some of Magic Johnson's highlight moments in his life. We get to see former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton expressing their admiration for Magic. Former basketball players like Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talking about their personal experiences with Magic, inside and outside the basketball court. Jimmy Kimmel, Arsenio Hall, Samuel O'Jackson and Snoop Dog are also some of the celebrities expressing their admiration and narrating Magic's influence in his community and globally. Today, Earvin "Magic" Johnson is a successful businessman, an advocate for HIV/AIDS patients and for the minority community. He owns several sports teams as well. The moral of this docuseries is that things always happen for a reason and to never give up when situations in life get hard. Magic never thought that having the HIV virus will turn his life for good by educating the world about this illness. He shared his experience with the virus and taught the world that AIDS is not necessary a gay illness. Anyone can be contaminated by this virus. I'd give They Call Me Magic 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, with adult's supervision due to foul language. They Call Me Magic is available now on Apple TV+. By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review carter s It was awesome to learn about one of the greatest players of all time, but it was very bland and boring in a lot of moments. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member We loved it! Magic is so inspiring. He shows us all that we have the power to live up to our potential. It is such a powerful series. My husband and I both loved it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
They Call Me Magic — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 22, 2022 JuneBug All eyes are on a young basketball sensation from Lansing, Mich., dubbed "Magic," the NBA's 1979 first overall draft pick. Details
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Season Info

Director
Rick Famuyiwa
Executive Producer
Jordan Fudge, Jeremy Allen, Bryn Mooser, Christina McLarty, Rafael Marmor, Chris Leggett, John Terzian, Brian Toll, Rick Famuyiwa, Christina Francis
Network
Apple TV+
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 22, 2022
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