Radio has remained one of the most permissive media these days. It helps that no one listens. Sure, censorship exists, but nobody makes a fuss if the occasional F-word slips through. It’s not like the Janet Jackson nipple incident, where the world almost ended because we all caught a glimpse of some skin.

But every once in a while, a radio host - usually branded as a “shock jock” directly after, if not before, the newsworthy incident - says something so inflammatory that everyone gets up in a lather about it. Remember the Don Imus incident? Of course you do. He lost his job over a comment that many people perceived as racist, despite the fact that his job is to be a racist, offensive jerk. That’s the whole point. Complaining about Don Imus being offensive is like eating cayenne pepper and saying it’s too spicy.

The problem with drawing a line of “too far” for people like Imus is that everyone has a different standard for what “too far” is. And never was there a better example of this than in the case of KTLK radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry vs. Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

On an October 8th broadcast of The Chris Baker Show, the two hosts had a discussion that turned to the subject of Magic Johnson…and alleged that he had FAKED AIDS.

Clearly, this kind of lie cannot be tolerated! Let’s review the transcript:

“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 interjected, “like Magic Johnson,” to which Perry replied, “Like Magic with his faked AIDS.” After Baker asked, “You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?” Perry stated, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.” Baker replied, “Yeah, me too.” Perry added: “It falls apart when you get into motivation. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure he faked AIDS. … Cause he’s the only cured AIDS guy ever.”

There is absolutely no way that this was a joke. These people must be punished. And no one says it better than Magic himself:

“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. 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.”

You know what, Magic? You’re right. It would be much funnier to encourage people to get tested for HIV than to make fun of you, a celebrity. Making fun of celebrities is so lame. HIV testing is where it’s at.

(Seriously now, can we lay off radio show hosts for doing their jobs and making jokes that are obviously jokes and in no way true? Let’s not take cayenne to task for burning our tastebuds.)

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