2009 Black History Month: Favorite Black TV Characters (#11)

By: Luke Florence

My Favorite Black TV Characters

#11 - February 18th - Bernie Mac - "The Bernie Mac Show"

Let me talk to you for a second America.

The best way to describe The Bernie Mac Show would be if you took Bernie Mac's stand-up routine, and simply cleaned it up. The end result would then be The Bernie Mac Show. For five seasons, and more than 100 episodes, Bernie Mac kept me entertained better than just about anyone.

If you've not a fan of Bernie Mac's stand-up, then I doubt you would be a fan of this show, because they are very similar. Bernie talks about adjusting to the "new" day-in-age of parenthood, which appears to allow children to get away with more. He talks about relationships, and always trying to stay one step ahead of his wife. He talks about hanging with his buddies, playing cards, smoking cigars, etc. All were included in almost every episode, and always had me rolling in laughter.

There is just something about Bernie that is hard to put spell out. He is unique in almost every meaning of the word. He has his own style, his own charisma, his own mannerisms, and without question, his own flavor. Bernie is quick to yell at his kids (actually his sister's kids in the show, but not important), but deep down is a softy who loves his children dearly. Bernie always seems to have a trick up his sleeve, or a plan to hatch. Whether it is going to Vegas for the weekend, or just out with the guys to a basketball game ... and like clockwork, something always goes wrong.

My favorite on-going relationship in this show is between Bernie and his son Jordan. They don't get along because they seem to be so different. Bernie is a big sports guy, and on the surface, Jordan appears to be more of the nerd variety. So, Bernie is always trying to teach him to act more like himself, which Jordan is willing to attempt, but unable to successfully pull off. Again though, deep down Bernie is proud of Jordan, and you can tell that the unconditional love aspect is fully present.

Unfortunately, Bernie Mac passed away last August. He was 50-years-young. And while his death came much sooner than any of us expected. His legacy will never be forgotten. Thank-you Bernie.

Okay, enough from me. Absolutely can not believe we are down to the top ten. How fast has this month gone? Unreal.

Make sure you go and check out Barnes' blog (over on my sidebar) to catch his feelings towards my selections. I'm going to take a wild guess and says he will love this pick. Just a hunch.

Hint for #10: This character loves pretzels.

Until tomorrow, "read it, roll it, hole it."