Rumors and blind items had been swirling about for the last few weeks in the gutter press (you know, where you find the Free Beacon) about a major A-list actor with HIV. As more details were revealed, people became more convinced that it was Charlie Sheen and, lo and behold, today Sheen appeared on the Today Show with Matt Lauer to announce to the world that he has HIV. The response, as best as I can tell?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Oh, the usual suspects were peremptorily outraged that someone might make a "tiger blood" joke about Sheen or that anyone would dare suggest that he kinda, sorta, y'know shouldn't be surprised because this is what happens when you have tons and tons of unprotected sex while doing boat loads of drugs and drinking yourself stupid. Criticizing people who suggest that engaging in risky behavior is in fact risky is the lowest form of posturing; as Sheen himself said to Lauer when Lauer read a tweet from someone who suggested that this turn of events is not surprising given his lifestyle, "That’s not a completely inane or crazy statement."
Most interesting to me is the rather impressive normalization of HIV/AIDS in the public sphere. The sharper questions have little to do with Sheen's health and more to do with whether or not he told his partners about the disease: The message seems to be that having HIV isn't the end of the world, as long as you're responsible about it. Is anyone who wasn't already annoyed by Sheen's antics over the last few years angrily pronouncing that they won't watch his movies or that they're disgusted by him? Is there a single person in Hollywood who would refuse* to work with him? Is it really worse in this day and age for Sheen to be known as "that actor with HIV" as opposed to "that actor who endured a years-long breakdown in full view of the public whilst cavorting about with porn stars and screaming WINNING on camera as his eyes bulged crazily"? At least now he has an excuse for that horror show (even if he did not avail himself of it in this interview, blaming "roid rage").
The simple fact of the matter is that Sheen—a wealthy person who can afford the drug regime needed to treat HIV—can live with this disease forever, more or less. Assuming this serves as a wake up call and gets him off drugs and drink, it could also be a huge professional boon: Sheen's a talented guy** from a powerful Hollywood family with an amazing story to tell. If he wants it, within five years he's going to nab a role that will garner him some serious Oscar buzz. He will win. His speech will be choked. Nary a dry eye will be in the house. His redemption story will be complete.
All because of his tiger blood.
*Because of the diagnosis, I mean. One wonders if the whole "assaulting women" thing will simply be swept under the table.
**Top Five Charlie Sheen Roles:
- Platoon
- Wall Street
- The Chase (1994)
- Major League
- Eight Men Out