 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Bernie Mac Show
Common Sense Media says
Cosby: The next generation?
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Mac plays a gruff but loving father figure who, despite some claims to the contrary, is happy to share his home and his life with his sister's children. This series is funny and creative, and parents who enjoy Mac's brand of humor are likely to enjoy it as much as their children do. Episodes are dealing with more mature themes as the children age, but there's not a lot to worry about here.
What's the story?
Bernie Mac, a stand-up comedian both on the show and in real life, is on his way to becoming a memorable TV dad, combining traits of both Archie Bunker and Bill Cosby. He's a lovable grouch who's just trying to maintain some control over his environment. Bernie McCullough (Mac) and his wife Wanda (Kellita Smith), a business executive, didn't plan on being parents, but took in Bernie's sister's kids. Bernie and Wanda create a loving family environment, but the kids constantly pose new challenges and parenting is the fodder of most episodes. Oldest daughter Vanessa (Camille Winbush) scares Uncle Bernie to death with her teenage interests, pre-pubescent Jordan (Jeremy Suarez) confuses his uncle with his offbeat intelligence, and precocious Bryana (Dee Dee Davis) wants her own room.
Is it any good?
Viewers and critics alike have responded well to this series: it won the Peabody Award, an Emmy for outstanding writing, and an NAACP Image Award, among numerous other honors. If you don't like Bernie Mac's comic style, you probably won't like this show. But many parents, teens, and older tweens will appreciate that this family of smart individuals teaches Mac as much as he tries to teach them.
Bernie Mac is similar to Everybody Loves Raymond in that the dad's foibles and complaints are a main focus of the show, but it breaks away from the pack because the children emerge as full-fledged characters.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Mac's brusque approach to fatherhood. Are his reactions to the kids' behavior realistic? Does he ever over-react? The show also offers an opportunity to discuss non-traditional families. Do your kids know anyone in a similar situation to the show's McCullough family? How would they feel in Bernie's kids' place?
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AGE
A great show with good messages
This is such a funny show, not so inapropriate, no violence either, but in a few episodes, there are Jesus-related jokes that are offensive.
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AGE
Hilarious, and mostly fine.
One episode is about how Bernie Mac doesn't like people having $3x. Otherwise, I am LOLing all the way.
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AGE
Who you with? Kickin' it with Bernie! R.I.P
To put it simply, he is funny, and he is gone. He was possibly the most funny man on telivision. We miss him so. RIP Bernie Mac.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 9, 2011
AGE
Great
Great show no problems but sometime Bernie says "hell no"
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AGE
Fun for the whole family!
I've been watching The Bernie Mac Show since it came out.I've laughed at every episode I have seen.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Fox |
| Cast: | Bernie Mac, Camille Winbush, Kellita Smith |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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