Every Witch Way was a popular soap opera that aired from 2014 to 2015. The show revolved around the life of a teenage girl named Emma Alonso, who discovers on her first day of high school that she is a witch. Throughout the series, Emma navigates the challenges of being a witch while also dealing with typical teenage drama. The show was set in the fictional town of Miami, where Emma attends Iridium High School. At school, she meets a group of witches and wizards who become her friends. Together, they face various magical obstacles and solve mysteries, all while trying to maintain a normal high school life.
‘They Call Me Magic’ Is a Revealing Look Inside a Basketball Icon’s Head: TV Review
That’s how Magic Johnson describes his 1991 appearance on Arsenio Hall’s talk show in the new documentary “They Call Me Magic.” It was a key moment in Johnson’s public life, coming just after the basketball star’s announcement that he had contracted HIV. And it’s slightly telling that what Johnson recalls is not any particular thing he said but the applause of the audience for whom he was putting on a show.
Johnson, throughout both his athletic and business careers, is as close to an entertainer as an athlete gets. And “They Call Me Magic,” though often glowingly promotional, does an elegant job of depicting the mentality of a figure who needs his public just as much as they need him.
The contours of Johnson’s story will be familiar to anyone currently watching HBO’s “Winning Time,” about the so-called “Showtime” era of the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was invigorated by owner Jerry Buss’ approach to presenting sports as sometimes salacious amusement, and by a new superstar out of Lansing, Michigan. We see how Magic got his nickname as a high-school phenom, and the unusual amount of attention that attended him — his decisions to attend Michigan State, and then to go pro before graduation, were both media events.
This milieu is fascinating and well-drawn by director Rick Famuyiwa; the Showtime era is the strongest portion of “They Call Me Magic.” The straight-ahead nature of Apple’s documentary is more effective in illustrating the pressures on Johnson than is the frenetic “Winning Time.” With that said, Johnson is an imperfect documentary subject, especially by comparison to the voluble and emotive Michael Jordan in the docuseries “The Last Dance.” (Jordan, along with several other basketball stars as well as two U.S. Presidents, appears as a talking head here.) Johnson is squarely undemonstrative, as well as something less than completely open. Especially after the story moves to his HIV diagnosis, it’s apparent there are lines of conversation he won’t pursue.
Which means that this series can sometimes fall into the trap of narrating precisely what its subject wants; moments in the final episode in which we run through a laundry list of Johnson’s post-basketball accomplishments in business endeavors are precisely the sort of thing that would, rightly, have been cut were this a two-hour feature film instead of a four-hour series. And there’s a certain heavy silence around Johnson admitting his initial reaction to his son’s coming out, though we’re told he eventually made his peace with his son being gay. (What changed, and why? These are questions the documentary doesn’t dig into.)
What is easiest to glean from Johnson’s speaking to camera, though, is his endless delight at impressing his audience — not just the joy of winning but the pleasure of being seen winning. And in the main, “They Call Me Magic” is both an engaging look at the impact this charismatic, endlessly newsmaking figure had on his era and an occasional glimpse into the mentality of a performer.
“They Call Me Magic” launches Friday, April 22, on Apple TV Plus.
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Together, they face various magical obstacles and solve mysteries, all while trying to maintain a normal high school life. One of the main storylines of Every Witch Way revolves around the love triangle between Emma, her best friend Andi, and the school bad boy Jax. Emma is torn between her feelings for Andi and Jax, which creates a lot of drama and tension throughout the series.
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Aside from the romantic storyline, Every Witch Way also explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of embracing who you are. The show emphasizes the idea that it's okay to be different and encourages viewers to embrace their unique qualities. Every Witch Way has gained a large following, particularly among young audiences. The show's engaging storylines, relatable characters, and magical elements made it a hit among viewers. It also received positive reviews for its strong female protagonist and its positive messages about self-acceptance. Overall, Every Witch Way was an entertaining and captivating soap opera that appealed to audiences of all ages. Its blend of teenage drama and magical elements made it a unique and enjoyable watch. While the show concluded in 2015, its impact on viewers and its positive messages continue to resonate..
Reviews for "Dive into the Drama and Intrigue of Every Witch Way Soao2day"
1. John - 2 stars - I watched a few episodes of "Every Witch Way" and I have to say, I was not impressed. The storyline felt forced and the acting was subpar. The characters lacked depth and development, and the dialogue felt cheesy and predictable. Overall, I found it difficult to continue watching and eventually lost interest. It might be entertaining for younger viewers, but as an adult, I was disappointed with the quality of the show.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot understand the hype around "Every Witch Way". The show seemed like a cheap knockoff of other popular teen dramas, with a weak plot and unconvincing acting. The characters were one-dimensional and the conflicts felt forced. The special effects were also poorly done, which made it hard to take the magical elements seriously. I struggled to connect with any of the characters and ultimately found myself switching to another show. Definitely not worth the time.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I tried watching "Every Witch Way" but found it to be quite boring. The storyline moved too slowly and the characters didn't have enough depth to keep me engaged. The humor felt forced and the love triangle trope was overdone. Additionally, the special effects looked cheap and unrealistic. Overall, I was disappointed with the show and would not recommend it to others. There are much better options out there for teen dramas.