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Season 1 – The Bernie Mac Show

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Bernie Mac Show Nov 2001 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Bernie and his wife, Wanda, reluctantly step into the role of parents when his sister drops off her three kids -- naive Bryanna, nerdy Jordan and teenager Vanessa -- en route to rehab. His views on child rearing are hardly politically correct, but Bernie tries his best.
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The Bernie Mac Show — Season 1

The Bernie Mac Show — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

A comedian swaps standup for domestic duties in The Bernie Mac Show -- and proves you can still have a few laughs along the way.

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Critics Reviews

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James Poniewozik TIME Magazine 01/29/2020
Series' creator, Larry Wilmore, has retained Mac's stand-up voice, but fleshed it out with strong supporting characters, especially the kids, who convey their rough history without falling into ghetto stereotypes. Go to Full Review Tom Shales Washington Post 01/29/2020
Bernie has a lot to learn from the kids, and the opening episodes indicate it'll be a pleasure, and a joy, watching him learn it. Go to Full Review Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel 01/29/2020
The Bernie Mac Show is a snappy, daring series that bends family sitcoms in bracing, unsentimental directions. Go to Full Review Alan Pergament Buffalo News 01/29/2020
3.5/4
It is a family sitcom that is smart, clever, irreverent and funny. Go to Full Review Tom Jicha South Florida Sun-Sentinel 01/29/2020
The Bernie Mac Show is the smartest, most appealing new half-hour of the season. Which it is, and then some. Go to Full Review David Zurawik Baltimore Sun 01/29/2020
Move over, Homer Simpson and Malcolm's mom. Bernie Mac is here. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 25 22 funny Fox TV episodes. See more Read all reviews
The Bernie Mac Show — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Larry Wilmore

Creator

Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac

Kellita Smith

Wanda Mac

Camille Winbush

Vanessa "Nessa" Tompkins

Jeremy Suarez

Jordan Tompkins

Dee Dee Davis

Bryanna "baby girl" Tompkins

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 14, 2001 Pilot Bernie and his wife take in his sister's children; Bernie has old-fashioned notions about child rearing. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 14, 2001 Now You Got It Bernie frets that he'll catch a debilitating bug from one of the pint-sized revelers at Bryana's birthday party. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 21, 2001 The Main Event Bernie teaches his nephew Jordan how to fight back against bullies that comes with an unforeseen consequence. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 28, 2001 Bernie Mac, Ladies Man When Wanda schedules a play date for the children, Bernie delights in playing host to a circle of admiring women. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 5, 2001 Saving Bernie Mac After taking the children to church, Bernie tries to slip out during the sermon to catch a football game on the tube. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 12, 2001 Here to Stay Bernie learns the kids are staying long-term and sets ground rules. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 19, 2001 A Christmas Story When Bryanna brings home a stray dog, the children hide it until Christmas Day, figuring Bernie will allow them to keep it. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 2, 2002 Starting School Bernie is overwhelmed by the task of getting the children ready for their first day of school; Jordan pretends to be sick, Vanessa refuses to come out of the bathroom and Bryana wants to have her hair braided. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 16, 2002 Hot, Hot, Hot The pool is being drained and the air conditioner is broken; Bernie takes the children to a water park on the hottest day of the year. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 23, 2002 Wanda's Week Off Wanda gets a week of vacation and decides to spend it with the kids. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 30, 2002 The King and I Bernie tries to show the children who is the king of the castle after he realizes everything he says to them goes through Vanessa first. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 6, 2002 Hall of Fame Jordan goes out for football in hopes of winning a trophy for the Bernie Mac Hall of Fame awards shelf; former Oakland Raiders running back Marcus Allen, MVP of Super Bowl XVIII stars. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 13, 2002 Handle Your Business Bernie's weeklong stint on a local radio show leaves his family upset when he uses his private life to get laughs. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 20, 2002 Back in the Day When heartburn sends him to the emergency room, Bernie resolves to beat his age by acting like he did in his youth. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 6, 2002 Lockdown After an intruder breaks into the house, Bernie reacts by turning it into a high-security compound, driving everyone crazy with his overprotectiveness. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 27, 2002 Mac 101 Bernie becomes a stern taskmaster after witnessing the children's behavior at dinner, cracking down on Vanessa for her grades and making Bryana speak Spanish all the time. Details Episode 17 Aired Apr 3, 2002 If I Were N-riched, Man After hearing it from Bernie at home, Bryana repeats inappropriate language at school, prompting a social worker to visit the house to discuss Bernie's hostility problems. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 17, 2002 Stop Having Sex Bernie grows uncomfortable with the level of sexuality that is becoming part of his children's lives. Details Episode 19 Aired May 1, 2002 Secrets and Lies Exhausted Bernie begs Wanda to cancel dinner plans with another couple, but free Clippers tickets prompt him and Jordan to fake an emergency so they can get out of the house. Details Episode 20 Aired May 8, 2002 Kelly's Heroes After breaking up with his girlfriend, poker buddy Kelly moves into the Mac household and infringes on Bernie's paternal authority. Details Episode 21 Aired May 15, 2002 Sweet Home Chicago Bernie takes the entire family to Chicago for the funeral of a beloved uncle, but his cousin's (Don Cheadle) scheming mars the trip. Details Episode 21 Aired May 15, 2002 Sweet Home Chicago Bernie takes the family to Chicago for the funeral of his Uncle Elister, where an obnoxious cousin (Don Cheadle) nags him with get-rich-quick schemes. Details Episode 22 Aired May 15, 2002 Sweet Home Chicago Bernie takes the entire family to Chicago for the funeral of a beloved uncle, but the trip is marred by his cousin's scheming. Details

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Season Info

Director
Lee Shallat Chemel, Larry Wilmore
Creator
Larry Wilmore
Executive Producer
Larry Wilmore
Screenwriter
Bernie Mac, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Tompkins, Marc Abrams, Teri Schaffer
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-PG (D|L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 14, 2001