THE HAT SQUAD: BERNIE MAC

Comedian and actor Bernie Mac died today, due to complications from pneumonia. There had been assurances that he was getting better while he had been in the hospital this last week or so, but I guess the illness proved to be stronger than anyone expected. I don't know if his condition of sarcoidosis had any effect - it's a tissue inflammation disease and perhaps this weakened him enough for the pneumonia to gain control.

Bernie Mac made some high-profile movies, especially a remake of "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", in which the races were reversed, and the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise. But he'll be best known for playing a role that was quite close to being his purest televersion representative in Toobworld - that of Uncle Bernie McCullough in 'The Bernie Mac Show'

In real life, Bernie was helping to raise his nieces and nephews because of his sister's hard times, and that situation proved to be a gold mine for inspiration in his sitcom life. (Without the feel of exploitation that could have easily happened.)

I think the show could have kept going for another year or two, had it not been for meddling by the network. But that's just the opinion of an outsider looking in.He was supposed to begin work on a new sitcom called 'Starting Under', in which he was to play a recently divorced man who moves in with his 20-something son. Ken Davitian from the "Borat" phenom was to be one of the co-stars.

Here are the other roles Bernie Mac contributed to Toobworld:

STARRING ROLE

"The Bernie Mac Show" .... Bernie 'Mac' McCullough

(103 episodes, 2001-2006)

TV MOVIES
Honor Deferred (2006) (TV) .... Host

Don King: Only in America (1997) (TV) .... Bendini Brown

THE TOONIVERSE

"King of the Hill" .... Mack

- Racist Dawg (2003)

RECURRING ROLES

"Moesha" .... Uncle Bernie

GUEST APPEARANCE
"The Wayans Bros." .... Shank

- I Do... (1997)

It is a scant list, but 'The Bernie Mac Show' makes his contributions all the more important. His role as the TV Universe Bernie Mac was ranked among the top 50 TV Dads of all time. Probably Number One if it came to Tough Love Dads.....

Rest in peace, Bernie Mac.

BCnU.....
Toby O'B