Talk Hosts' 'Magic Faked AIDS' Comment Not Going Over As Well As They'd Hoped

I don't listen to much talk radio, with the exception of sports, and of course Dennis Miller. So I'd never heard of Chris Baker and Langdon Perry, who have a show on Minneapolis' KLTK-FM. Too bad, because it seems that I'm missing some scintillating dialogue. Like for instance the recent show in which they speculated that Magic Johnson was just faking having AIDS. Wow.

PERRY: What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs? BAKER: Like Magic Johnson. PERRY: Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS. BAKER: You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy? PERRY: I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS. BAKER: Yeah, me too. PERRY: It falls apart — BAKER: Which is horrible. PERRY: — when you get into motivation. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure he faked AIDS. BAKER: I've got a great email here from — PERRY: 'Cause he's the only cured AIDS guy ever.

Hear the audio here. Magic Johnson's reply:

“I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable,” Johnson said. “Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies.”

It's not clear how they come to the conclusion that Johnson was making up his illness, but does it really matter? The first rule in talk radio is to be noticed, and if you have to make up crazy crap like this, then so be it. The more outrageous, the better; I call it the Ann Coulter Effect. My main worry in all of this is that there are powerful alien civilizations out there who only know us through the radio waves we're sending into space. Pretty soon they're just going to get fed up and go all Krpyton on our ass. Baker's blog includes a section in which he tracks the number of days that Al Franken has "dodged" his show. Well, I'm trying to get in touch with you, Chris. How long are you going to avoid us? For another take on Baker and Perry, check out this Countdown With Keith Olbermann segment. Click to view Magic Johnson Rips KTLK Over 'Faked AIDS' Comment [Minneapois Star-Tribune] Minneapolis Radio Hosts 'Convinced' That Magic Johnson 'Faked AIDS' [Media Matters]