How to survive a plague | 'Winning Time'

05/02/22 • 25 min

At a time when HIV was still seen as a death sentence, Magic Johnson shocked the world by announcing he was infected. But the bigger shock may have been what happened next.

In this episode of “Binge Sesh,” hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox explore the defining moment that opens HBO’s “Winning Time”: Magic Johnson’s 1991 diagnosis with HIV. With help from experts and Johnson’s fans, we reflect on the announcement’s seismic impact and explore how it changed the face of the disease at the height of the AIDS crisis.

For the podcast transcript, real-life photos and links to much more, visit the episode page on latimes.com.

At a time when HIV was still seen as a death sentence, Magic Johnson shocked the world by announcing he was infected. But the bigger shock may have been what happened next.

For the podcast transcript, real-life photos and links to much more, visit the episode page on latimes.com.

Previous Episode

Life during wartime | 'Winning Time'

What does it mean to say the NBA had a drug problem in the 1970s and 1980s?

In this episode of "Binge Sesh," hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox examine recreational drug use in professional basketball in the Showtime era. Zooming in on the depiction of Spencer Haywood in HBO's "Winning Time" and zooming out to the U.S. government's war on drugs, we deconstruct the rhetoric — from politicians, the press, even players — that shaped perceptions of the NBA and explain how systemic racism turned a health crisis into a moral panic.

For the podcast transcript, production stills, real-life photos and links to much more, visit the episode page on latimes.com.

Next Episode

The show must go on | 'Winning Time'

All good things must come to an end. Including basketball dynasties (and podcast seasons).

In the season finale of “Binge Sesh,” hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox examine the lasting effects of the Showtime-era Lakers by looking at what came after. From David Stern and the Olympics Dream Team to ESPN and the Chicago Bulls, we discuss how the NBA attained a new level of prominence in the 1990s and explain how the team of the 1980s made it possible.

For the podcast transcript, real-life photos and links to much more, visit the episode page on latimes.com.