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RIP, Bernie Mac

By see-dubya  •  August 9, 2008 11:27 AM

That’s a real shame–he was only 50, and I always liked Bernie. He was low key and funny, and he also signed a Hollywood anti-terror petition, owned guns, and thought movies should leave all that skin to the imagination.

He tangled with the Obamessiah last month, too, and got thrown under the bus.

__________________

{Post by See-Dubya.}

Posted in: Barack Obama, R.I.P.

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Comments

  1. #1
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am, ajmontana said:

    RIP Boz.
    All these people lately dying to young.

  2. #2
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:40 am, pclevenger said:

    Life is short. Don’t let us waste it on busy work. RIP Mr. Mac

  3. #3
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am, whiteasianrose said:

    wow that’s sad to hear….hysterical comic and a good guy
    prayers for his family.

  4. #4
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am, Tuesday said:

    Rest in peace, Bernie.

    “I long for household voices gone,
    for vanished smiles I long,
    but God hath led my dear ones on
    and He could do no wrong.”

    May God bless you and your family.

  5. #5
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:47 am, Rob said:

    Now I know I am old… I didn’t know who this guy was.

  6. #6
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am, Kevlaur said:

    He was funny. God bless his family.

  7. #7
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am, Kevlaur said:

    And he was young, I might add.

  8. #8
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:55 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Obama wasted no time throwing Bernie Mac under the bus:

    I guess it didn’t really matter did it? Until just now I did not know who Bernie Mac was, I am not too up to date on the popular culture; sympathy to his family.

    Bernie Mac:
    but “I’m a Republican at tax time”

    Yes, that is good.

    His Messiahship be mocked- the Botox Broad 2 :)
    Allie OOP OOP be praised

  9. #9
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:55 am, TinFoilChapeau said:

    What a shame. Bernie Mac was such a cool, down to earth guy. Here in Chicago, we got to watch him rise up though the comedy clubs, move on to films, and eventually, his own TV show. Despite his fame, he’d still pop up at White Sox games, and take the time to sign autographs and take photos with the kids who approached him at the game. His season tickets weren’t too far away from mine, and I never once saw him act like a “star”. A class act.

  10. #10
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm, MacEamonn said:

    From an AP article: Mac worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago’s South Side.

    Bernie Mac (Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, born Oct. 5, 1957, Chicago Il) was a man who proved if you found what you were good at and worked hard at it you can live the American Dream!

    RIP Big Man! :(

  11. #11
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm, novaculus said:

    Bernie once took the time to appear on a long-running local TV show (”Stooge-A-Palooza, hosted by local TV personality Rich Koz) to pay homage to the Three Stooges, whom he credited as among his earliest comedic influences. He was a funny guy, and left the impression he would be a great guy to share a drink and a cigar with. My condolences to his family. RIP, Bernie.

  12. #12
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:03 pm, gayle said:

    I have been keeping up with his health issues over the past few weeks.

    I am shocked that he has died.

    I enjoyed his show sooooo much!
    Light-hearted humor in the life of a normal family - not a common media event.

    He will be missed.

  13. #13
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:03 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Yes, as someone approaching 47, I think 50 is much too young to die. My sympathy to his family and friends.

  14. #14
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm, shimauma2 said:

    I totally respected this man’s view on raising children (beat them now so they know better later). His wisdom will be missed.

  15. #15
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm, sfcmac said:

    RIP Bernie. Heaven just got a little happier.

  16. #16
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, Blind_Mule said:

    Sad to see you go Bernie, I’m sure you’ll given God himself a few laughs.
    Rest In Peace.

  17. #17
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, Blind_Mule said:

    should be: you’ve

  18. #18
    On August 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm, mistressjustice said:

    This is just such a shame. I echo AJ’s sentiments about these shocking young deaths. Seriously get over yourselves about the Obama fundraiser. Bernie used foul and SEXIST(ho) language at the event. That’s the only thing he was chastized about and the reason why he was heckled. Like some other comics, rap, and rockstars, you should probably know what you’re getting when you book the show. However, Mr. Mac probably should have cleaned things up for the event. If the Obama campain laughed things off, there would be a blog here about how “Obama embraces and supports vulgar, sexist comic at own fundraiser.”

    Mr. Mac was a brilliant comic and outstanding person. He deserved a better final appearance and press clippings. Bernie Mac had been been performing for near 40 years, and was ready to start considering semi-retirement to spend more time with his family. When you look at his story, you will see that talent with hardwork can make you rich in this country no matter how humble your beginnings.

    I’ve always enjoyed his acting and standup performances. He really had a unique style. I often think of the first performance of his that I’ve ever seen when I’m battling with the conservatives on this blog. Bernie was on stage doing his thing, and then he’s glare out at the audience and say:

    “You don’t understand. I ain’t scared of you mothe……..”

    Classic.

    I wish the best for his friends and family. He will be missed. Thanks for this thread See-dubya. It shows how Mr. Mac impressed so many different types of folks.

  19. #19
    On August 9th, 2008 at 1:25 pm, right_on said:

    I liked Bernie. He always made me laugh. He’ll be missed. RIP

  20. #20
    On August 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm, Blind_Mule said:

    mistressjustice
    Seriously get over yourselves about the Obama fundraiser. Bernie used foul and SEXIST(ho) language at the event.

    Santa Claus, must be censored now! Will Obamessiah throw Santa under the bus come December? :lol:

  21. #21
    On August 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm, NY Andy said:

    I liked Bernie Mac. He was both a talented comedian as well as a good man. His show was developed as a mirror of his own experiences taking in his sister’s three children when she entered rehab and could no longer care for them.

    My favorite excerpt from the stories today was, strangely enough, in the BBC News.

    Mac often attributed his dogged persistence of a comedy career to his mother who, he said, had imbued him with a strong work ethic before she died of breast cancer when he was just 16.

    “Parents today don’t get it,” he wrote in his memoirs. “They don’t want to be parents. They want to be cool. They want to be hip. They don’t want to be the bad guy.

    Wherever I am, I have to play. I have to put on a good show

    Bernie Mac
    “But guess what? Being the bad guy is your job.

    “My mama knew better. She wasn’t there to make me like her; she was there to shape me; she was there to make me a good person.”

    The world lost a good one but I’m sure it’s standing room only in Heaven.

    The entire BBC Story is worth a read.

  22. #22
    On August 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm, NY Andy said:

    Mentally strike this line from my post as it was copied accidentally and makes no sense where it is.

    Wherever I am, I have to play. I have to put on a good show

    It is a good quote, though.

  23. #23
    On August 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm, Darrylw said:

    I never listned to his stand up routine but I thought his TV show was great.

    RIP

  24. #24
    On August 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm, BrianNY said:

    Wow, lesson learned regarding books and covers.

    My introduction and exit from Bernie Mac’s routine was after seeing initial clips from Def Jam, HBO or “Kings of Comedy” or something like that.

    I couldn’t get past the foul language.

    I see here now that there were other laudable qualities to the guy as well.

    RIP.

  25. #25
    On August 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    dude…. its like with John Ritter, you dont know you care until it blind sides you.

  26. #26
    On August 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:47 am, Rob said:

    Now I know I am old… I didn’t know who this guy was.

    Then just FYI: W.C. Fields and Charlie Chaplin are dead too

  27. #27
    On August 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    :)

  28. #28
    On August 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm, Rob said:

    Then just FYI: W.C. Fields and Charlie Chaplin are dead too.

    I know who W.C.Fields and Chaplin were, and I think they are dead too.

    I don’t listen to the gangster, rap, thug, “profanity is funny”, bitches and ho crap that passes for humor today. When I hear it on TV, I change the channel. I don’t go to those type of movies, and I don’t listen to that kind of music. THAT is probably why I didn’t know or care who this guy was.

  29. #29
    On August 9th, 2008 at 3:04 pm, alamedaman said:

    RIP Bernie Mac

    my favorite bit of his- extremely NSFW
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FaHXIhX_4

  30. #30
    On August 9th, 2008 at 3:29 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Aw, that sucks. I read a headline a few days ago that said he had pneumonia, but I didn’t think much of it. Eh, he’s still pretty young, he’ll be fine, I thought. Didn’t even read the story.

    You’re right, MJ, about his crossover appeal. I really enjoyed his show and his standup. From what I can recall, his thoughts transcended racial and political divides. He seemed like a wise and decent man.

    Just watched some videos of him, including his interview on Charlie Rose. I like that he said he wasn’t in it for the awards and the recognition. He wanted to entertain and create discussion. You’ll be missed, you summamab****, and your mom can tell you how proud she is of you now.

    I appreciate the mention of Bernie Mac’s death here, see-dubya.

  31. #31
    On August 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm, bloghooligan said:

    Bernie Mac was like, today’s Richard Pryor…but funnier, in my view.

    What a loss. He’ll surely be missed.

  32. #32
    On August 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm, uhangtight said:

    This is truly sad news. I wish his family well and my deepest condolences. A great loss to the Comedic and Entertainment community.

  33. #33
    On August 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm, Laree said:

    God Bless you Bernie Mac, and may you rest in peace. My prayers to his family.

    What a wonderful talent, my husband and myself, would watch his television show it was fun, he brought laughter to so many.

  34. #34
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm, jencab said:

    I remember when there was the Catholic Church scandal and Bernie was a guest on Conan O’Brien’s show. Instead of making fun of the whole religion and all priests, he recalled how they helped him in his childhood when he was poor. Instead he said it was suspicious how 18 yr. olds were claiming sexual abuse. He instead called it a “date.” He said there comes a time when you are a man and you should know what is going on.
    That guy was funny. RIP.

  35. #35
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, DarkKnight said:

    I appreciate the mention of Bernie Mac’s death here, see-dubya.

    Indeed, thanks See-Dubya for creating this thread. Each event in our lives happen for a reason. This is a reminder to me that God can call us at home at anytime He sees fit.

    “…there is but a step between me and death.”

    - 1 Samuel 20:3

    May God comfort and keep the family of Bernie Mac at this time. My prayers are with them.

  36. #36
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, Jaded said:

    Damn….a good man down….I loved Bernie Mac…great comedian! He will be missed.

  37. #37
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pm, MrOlympia said:

    Very sorry to see this man depart the earth. May you be in a better place and RIP………

  38. #38
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm, DBNinKY said:

    A very funny man, and so young. This just shows how fleeting life is, and how we should spend as much time as possible with the ones we love most - our families. My condolences to all who loved him most.

  39. #39
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm, BrianNY said:

    #32 jencab said:

    I remember when there was the Catholic Church scandal and Bernie was a guest on Conan O’Brien’s show. Instead of making fun of the whole religion and all priests, he recalled how they helped him in his childhood when he was poor.

    Now I really like this guy.

    From your description of that appearance, I can imagine O’Brien thinking: “C’mon Bernie, I’m setting up the whole Catholic Church scandal up for ya’, just knock it down!”

    For a comedian like Bernie Mac to pull back and give props to the clergy who did help him out while he was growing up in Chicago shows total class.

    Express ticket to the Pearly Gates for this guy.

  40. #40
    On August 9th, 2008 at 4:59 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Also, MJ, please don’t assume.

    If the Obama campain laughed things off, there would be a blog here about how “Obama embraces and supports vulgar, sexist comic at own fundraiser.”

    You ended your comment by saying that this thread shows how he impressed many types of people.

    I’m not trying to attack you. I’m just pointing out the inconsistency. Remember to self-edit your knee-jerk reaction next time. I’ll try my best to do the same.

  41. #41
    On August 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm, thegreatbeast said:

    Bernie Mac had a very good show on Fox for about four years. It was done in by the network moving it around so that people lost track of it. The Bernie Mac Show was a throwback in that the father figure wasn’t an idiot who was benignly tolerated by his hip, cool kids and long-suffering wife. And every week the Mac provided a quiet life lesson to us all that he put together at the end of the show when talking to “America”.
    He will be missed.

  42. #42
    On August 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, starlightwoman said:

    Bernie Mack was a true class act. He told it like he lived it. He will be missed. It’s had to believe that he was so young and taken with an illness that is usually curable, but pneumonia can be horrible. I’ve had it 3 times.

  43. #43
    On August 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm, CleanGuy said:

    Wow! What a loss for all of us… My prayers go to his family…

  44. #44
    On August 9th, 2008 at 7:13 pm, mistressjustice said:

    I see what you’re saying C02 Producer. It’s just that I saw See-dubya took an unnecessary swipe about the fundraiser issue. I see that as another example of Obama being in a no-win situation. I’ll let it go now. I do appreciate this thread despite the Obama comment and link.

    I really just feel bad that Bernie Mac got so much bad press out of the situation. Poor Bernie.

    Thanks for the response, and have a nice weekend.

  45. #45
    On August 9th, 2008 at 7:23 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    mistressjustice
    Seriously get over yourselves about the Obama fundraiser. Bernie used foul and SEXIST(ho) language at the event.

    More Proof liberals (the ones who scream about free speech) have NO sense of humor. Is it not the liberal rap “artist” types who call themselves “n_gger”?

    Bernie’s show was one of the few shows on TV (before we gave up cable) that we would let our girls watch. He was a man of talent.

    Let God breath a little between jokes pal!

  46. #46
    On August 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm, pakurilecz said:

    So long Mr. 2999

  47. #47
    On August 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pm, wayiwalk said:

    Loved the TV episode when he asked the nephew to be tougher at school, and the boy knocked the lights out of some bully. He had to go into the school to deal with the principal, who was a jerk.

    Went through it with my own son. That epidsode hit it on the spot - the boy torturing my son was having “problems”, so they weren’t going to do anything about it. But they wanted to lecture us about my son’s behaviour.

    Wrongo Dongo.

    Glad I went in to straighten them out. Went into the principals meeting room and TOOK his meeting chair from him, he asked “do you really want to sit there?”

    Uh, yes.

    I ran the meeting from there.

    Funny thing, my son ended up being friends with the boy after their encounter, but the boy was having problems and all that.

    Really loved Bernie’s perspective on things. I didn’t always agree with him, but he was his own man. Seems like it’s hard to be that these days in Hollywood.

  48. #48
    On August 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm, mistressjustice said:

    More Proof liberals (the ones who scream about free speech) have NO sense of humor.

    I’m sure you’d agree that there’s a time and place for such humor and speech.

  49. #49
    On August 9th, 2008 at 10:54 pm, JT said:

    On August 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm, mistressjustice said:

    More Proof liberals (the ones who scream about free speech) have NO sense of humor.

    I’m sure you’d agree that there’s a time and place for such humor and speech.

    BS. They knew Bernie, they knew his material. You don’t hire a homerun hitter and criticize him for swinging for the fences.

    F*ck em if they can’t take a joke.

    The fault lies entirely with the Obama campaign.

    Moving on.

    I have seen Bernie live and liked his work in movies. Always appreciated his humility in the face of success and his brutal honesty. He will be missed. Hopefully he is trading funny lines with Pryor and Carlin right now.

  50. #50
    On August 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm, Jaded said:

    mistressjustice

    When you invite a comedian such as Bernie Mac to an event you take the risk in your own hands you don’t put limitations on them….he certainly would not have been nasty in say a church setting but he was invited to make people laugh at and Obama event

    Liberals suck in their humor….they really ought to get a life

  51. #51
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pm, mistressjustice said:

    Jaded:
    I love Bernie Mac. There is a time and place for all kinds of speech and humor. When Bernie was on network TV(including Conan), he censored himself, and the networks expected as much. Any great comic can work clean. Bernie was a great comic. He should have censored himself for the political fundraiser. He put Obama and his campaign in a rough spot with his language.

    Bernie was, and will always remain a man of intergrity and talent. He had a bad night, but he’s still great.

  52. #52
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    I liked Bernie and will miss him and George Carlin. If Obama still needs a comedian to warm up for him, I hear Al Franken is available. Apparently only one person showed up for his roundtable event.

  53. #53
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:33 pm, ajmontana said:

    If Odumbo needs a comedian to open ‘his act’ just go to the vault and get his “ex preacher” (cough).

  54. #54
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    I also see what you’re saying, MJ. The timing of the fundraiser incident in conjunction with this is unfortunate. I can only speak for myself when saying that it’s not what I remember him for.

    A time and a place — I concur.

    Anyway, thanks, and you have a nice weekend, too.

  55. #55
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:48 pm, JT said:

    $2,300 a plate, all grown adults, no TV sensors… gets one mature humor from ol’ Bernie Mac.

  56. #56
    On August 9th, 2008 at 11:51 pm, JT said:

    And don’t tell me each one of those donors did not know that Bernie was on the bill. And since Bernie was a Chicago guy, most had to know how Bernie rolls.

  57. #57
    On August 10th, 2008 at 4:29 am, derel3433 said:

    Vince Foster all over again.

  58. #58
    On August 10th, 2008 at 7:55 am, chicagojedi said:

    Loved his tv show and thought he was an incredibly nice man. I salute my fellow Chicagoan and will miss him. Best wishes to his family.

  59. #59
    On August 10th, 2008 at 8:59 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    MJ,

    What do you call a woman that gets paid for sex? This is not the same as calling a sports team NHH’s. Imus was insulting and Bernie was telling a joke.

    Lets try the joke in the PC version just for you.

    Instead of having $100,000 we have two Ladies of the evening.

    Huh? Funny?

    Get the difference.

  60. #60
    On August 10th, 2008 at 11:49 am, greenfairie said:

    Too bad, he died so young.

  61. #61
    On August 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm, atheling said:

    An honest man in show business.

    A rarity.

    RIP, Mr. Mac.

  62. #62
    On August 10th, 2008 at 1:50 pm, Boomer said:

    RIP Bernie Mac, 50 years old is way too young to cash it in. Our prayers and condolences to his family, we need more class acts like him that are all too rare in the out of touch enclaves inhabited by the Hollywood elite.

  63. #63
    On August 11th, 2008 at 5:31 am, BKennedy said:

    Wow, that’s insane.

    RIP Bernie, you had a great show.

    All the good ones seem to be dropping left and right.

    Russert, Snow, and Bernie all in the span of a few months. It’s crazy.

  64. #64
    On August 11th, 2008 at 7:03 am, Knife-n-Dork said:

    I’ll remember Bernie Mac for getting a show on primetime TV that recognized the importance of family and personal responsibility. That can’t be easy in these times.

    We lost Isaac Hayes now too. Let’s be thankful Morgan Freeman seems to be recovering well from his accident.

  65. #65
    On August 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am, jdsmith0021 said:

    I liked this guy. He television show was very funny. The best part was the the father played a strong role in the family and was not the typical holly-weird version of a father.

    God bless his family and friends.

  66. #66
    On August 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am, srhoades said:

    Man. Farewell to one of the few truly funny standup comics left.

  67. #67
    On August 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am, old_texan said:

    Listen hear America!
    Uncle Bernie will be missed.
    RIP Bernie.

  68. #68
    On August 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am, abstractmind said:

    May the Planes receive him kindly. Such awesome talent, that spanned across so many walks of life, and yet is gone.

    RIP Bernie.

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