The primary purpose of Johnson appearing on the show was to dispel the rumors about him being gay.
During that time, AIDS was considered a fatal disease exclusive to the gay community, mainly because it was most widespread within that circle early on.
Before the show, both the television station and the host were under immense pressure. They feared that interviewing an AIDS patient might cause a negative impact, spark a media storm, or that they might not be able to handle Johnson's negative emotions during the show, yet they soldiered on and produced the program despite the pressure.
After the broadcast, the response was surprisingly positive. Johnson's favorable media reputation accumulated over more than a decade gained him the audience's welcome. When he appeared, the cheers and applause lasted for two minutes.
