Bernie Mac Maneuvers Sideways

Bernie Mac died from complications of pneumonia almost two weeks ago now, and I feel a little bad that I haven't acknowledged it until now. I love The Bernie Mac Show, his former sitcom that grew directly out of the situation he discusses in this YouTube clip, a segment from his appearance on The Kings Of Comedy.

(Yeah, it's a shame about the "faggot" stuff, but I would say it's an honest reflection of the prevailing attitudes towards homosexuality in the black community, and perhaps Bernie playing to his audience as much as any homophobia he might himself possess. Having said that, it's still not an excuse.)

I love The Bernie Mac Show because while it captures the gruff bluster that could be Bernie Mac, it was a show that also expressed a ton of heart, compassion, and how family, no matter how seemingly dysfunctional, can also be a great source of strength, pride, and love. This may be a somewhat common tone in network sitcom land, but it's typically handled in one of two ways - either incredibly maudlin and saccharine, or overtly cynical for easy laughs. It's difficult to explain, but The Bernie Mac Show somehow balanced these two approaches quite deftly. Bernie Mac's put-upon rage was real, but so was his love for his wife and his sister's three kids, whom he adopted in real life, and on the show.

Bernie Mac was a truth-teller, and he talked about some uncomfortable things, especially in his stand-up act. What's most impressive to me was that he was a man with a certain amount of humility, in that he never shied away from speaking truth about his own shortcomings. He willingly played the clown and the bully, "Bigfoot" as one of his nieces called him, because that was exactly the man he sometimes was. The man was self-aware in a large, large way, and he was more than willing to let us laugh at his shortcomings, as long as we were also willing to appreciate the big heart that beat deep inside.

It's no mistake that The Bernie Mac Show won a Peabody, in addition to a slew of other awards that transcend mere popularity.

Plus, the man, and the show, was infectiously funny, and endearing. You almost can't help but love him. He was one of a kind.

One of the Kings Of Comedy is dead. Long live the king.

Rest in peace, Bernie Mac. You left us way, way too soon.

Hotcha! Hank