"The Bernie Mac Show" (2001) TV series 2001-2006

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Creator:

Larry Wilmore

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

7 November 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Plot:

A stand up comedian suddenly becomes a father when he takes custody of his sister's three children.

Plot Keywords:

Asthmatic | Uncle | Rehab | Sitcom | Spoiled Brat

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 30 wins & 57 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9	2:00 PM	FX	Carfool	#2.3
Mon. Nov. 9	2:30 PM	FX	Mac Local 137	#2.4

Cast

Bernie Mac	...	Bernie 'Mac' McCullough (103 episodes, 2001-2006)
Kellita Smith	...	Wanda McCullough (103 episodes, 2001-2006)
Camille Winbush	...	Vanessa 'Nessa' Thomkins (103 episodes, 2001-2006)
Jeremy Suarez	...	Jordan Thomkins (103 episodes, 2001-2006)
Dee Dee Davis	...	Bryana 'Baby Girl' Thomkins (103 episodes, 2001-2006)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Production on the fourth season had to be suspended for eight weeks in order to allow Bernie Mac to recover from a serious case of pneumonia.

Quotes:

Bernie Mac: You got Dracula - a wooden stake; Wolfman - a silver bullet. But little boys, a belt. But I've been stripped of my weapons. Wait a minute. I don't need a belt.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Chick Cancer (#5.7)" (2006)

A Great Sitcom Plagued By Time Slot Changes

After years of sitcoms about dysfunctional families, Fox came up with a winner in The Bernie Mac Show. Even though it's a one camera comedy with no studio audience or laugh track, it's a sitcom I really enjoyed since the episodes usually featured Bernie talking to the home audience from his easy chair, referring to the people watching at home as "America." But Fox kept moving this sitcom around to different slots and Bernie Mac's movie career began taking off which is why I thought led to the show's cancellation after five seasons.

The supporting cast was outstanding, including Kelita Smith as his wife Wanda and the young actors who play Vanessa, Jordan and "Baby Girl" added a lot to the show. One line I'll always remember was Bernie's declamation of tough love "I'm gonna bust your head until the white meat shows!" It's a shame that Bernie Mac died suddenly at 50. America, his show will live on in reruns.