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The Bernie Mac Show

The Bernie Mac Show (often shortened to Bernie Mac in syndication) is an American sitcom television series created by Larry Wilmore, that aired on Fox for five seasons from November 14, 2001 to April 14, 2006. The series featured Bernie Mac and his wife Wanda raising his sister's three kids: Jordan, Vanessa, and Bryana.

The Bernie Mac Show

Stanley A. Smith

United States

English

5

  • Steven Greener
  • Michael Petok
  • Teri Schaffer
  • Bernie Mac
  • Marc Abrams
  • Michael Benson
  • Jerry Collins
  • Kate Angelo
  • Ken Kwapis
  • Reginald Hudlin

30 minutes

Fox

November 14, 2001 (2001-11-14) –
April 14, 2006 (2006-04-14)

Premise[edit]

The series was loosely based on Mac's stand-up comedy acts. In real life, Bernie "Mac" McCullough was married with one daughter; Mac's character on the show (a stand-up comedian) was married with no children of his own. The pilot episode, aired on November 14, 2001, set up the basic premise for the series: the character Bernie Mac takes in his sister's children after she enters rehab (a fictional premise taken from one of Mac's stand-up routines which was eventually featured in the 2000 film, The Original Kings of Comedy). "In reality, the story is a blend of two real incidents: Mac briefly took in his niece Toya who was an at risk youth and her daughter Monique; while a friend of his had to raise her sister's children long-term."[1][2]


Much of the humor in the show was derived from Mac's continual adjustment to and his unique take on parenthood. A frequent motif of the show was the juxtaposition of Mac's acerbic comments, such as his threats to "bust the (children's) heads 'til the white meat shows," and the parental affection he felt toward the trio, which often brought him to the verge of tears. Toward the end of the series, Bryana's long-lost father (Anthony Anderson) returns and drops by from occasionally to help Bernie and Wanda with the kids.


Many of his most emotional scenes occurred in segments in which Mac, while still in character, broke the 'fourth wall' and talked to the television audience, which he referred to as "America". This technique was notably used before an episode during the 2005–2006 season, when Bernie, as himself and wearing a Chicago White Sox cap and jacket, delivered a heartfelt congratulatory message to the baseball organization and its staff on their recent World Series Championship. Mac, who grew up on Chicago's south-side, was a die-hard fan of the White Sox and was seen at Game 1 of the World Series, in a front row seat.


The show also features yellow captions pointing things out that aren't explicitly mentioned.


Mac's character's celebrity worked as a plot device allowing other celebrities to appear on the show as themselves, including Serena Williams, Chris Rock, Ashton Kutcher, Billy Crystal, Carl Reiner, Don Rickles, Angela Bassett, Ellen DeGeneres, Ice Cube, Isaac Hayes, Flavor Flav, Lucy Lawless, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Matt Damon, Charles Barkley, Jon Garland, Jules Sylvester, Sugar Ray Leonard, India Arie, Shaquille O'Neal, Sugar Shane Mosley, Hugh Hefner, Phil McGraw, and Marcus Allen.

(Bernie Mac) – The show's main character who is loosely based on Mac. Bernie and his wife take in the three kids when their drug-addicted mother (Bernie's sister Stacy) is no longer able to be a proper parent. Bernie uses tough-love parenting tactics and he can be both strict and comical. He narrates the series, and between scenes, he talks to the audience by addressing them as "America". Although he loves all three kids, his favorite is Bryana (whom he affectionately calls "Baby Girl" because she is the youngest), and finds himself in conflict with teenage Vanessa, the eldest sibling, who has a poor attitude.

Bernard "Bernie" McCullough

Wanda McCullough (née Thomas) () – Bernie's loving wife, an intelligent woman who is vice president for AT&T. She loves raising the kids with Bernie, but periodically her patience is tested. Whenever Bernie has a problem, she does her best to help, though her assistance can be overbearing and unnecessary at times.

Kellita Smith

Jordan Thomkins () – Bernie and Wanda's nephew, the middle child. Jordan is very mischievous and peculiar. He is interested in collecting bugs and conducting odd science experiments. Early in the series, he gets beat up by his little sister, Bryana, and he would frequently cry, occasionally vomit, and sometimes urinate on himself. As the series progresses, he becomes tougher and gains confidence.

Jeremy Suarez

Bryana "Baby Girl" Thomkins () – Bernie and Wanda's younger niece, the youngest child and the half-sister of Jordan and Vanessa. Bryana is a friendly little girl who is sweet, innocent, and naive, though she is often more bratty and obnoxious as the series progresses. Bryana is her uncle's favorite, and has a trusting relationship with her Uncle Bernie. Bernie fears that one day she will grow up and end up like Vanessa.

Dee Dee Davis

Vanessa "Nessa" Thomkins () – Bernie and Wanda's elder niece, and the eldest of the three children. Vanessa purposely gives Bernie trouble with her attitude, most of which comes from the pressure of being the eldest and having to take a parental role with her younger siblings. As the series progresses, she gets along better with Bernie.

Camille Winbush

Creator and executive producer:

Larry Wilmore

: Pete Aronson, Warren Hutcherson.

Executive producers

Co-executive producers: Bernie Mac, , Teri Schaffer, Michael Benson, Marc Abrams.

Richard Appel

Producers: Michael Petok, Steven Greener

at epguides.com

The Bernie Mac Show

at IMDb

The Bernie Mac Show