Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > August > 09 > Entry
8/9: Bernie Mac, a true comedian, 1958-2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I worked at the Wall Street Journal, I wrote a piece nearly a decade ago on the promoter Walter Latham and how he put together the Kings of Comedy tour, which sold out arenas across the country with two already established TV stars D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, along with two veteran standups on the cusp of big-time stardom: Cedric the Entertainer and Bernie Mac.
I recall Cedric being the goofy one, Steve the smooth old school guy, D.L. Hughley the consummate professional and Bernie the dude with the potty mouth. He hit it hard and the audience ate it up. I led off my story with one of Bernie’s jokes and managed to get the F word into the lead of a WSJ story (as in ——ing but you knew that was the word.) The tour success (along with the Spike Lee concert film) led Fox TV to pick up his innovative comedy “The Bernie Mac Show.” The dirty part of his act was expunged but the premise showed what a truly loving family guy he could be. He was irascible, exasperted and mischievous but in a purely harmless way, a new generation Sanford. I always found the show amusing and while it never became a huge hit and seemed to move around the schedule every five minutes, it lasted five seasons, enough for syndication.
I caught up with Steve Harvey this afternoon to get comments for a print reaction story. Here’s what I sent to the editors:
Atlanta resident and radio host Steve Harvey worked with Bernie Mac for four years on the groundbreaking, hugely successful “Kings of Comedy” tour. He said the quartet (which also included D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer) earlier this year talked about a 10-year reunion tour but said Bernie wasn’t up for it, healthwise.
“I am just numb,” Harvey said Saturday afternoon after doing a succession of interviews to CNN and other media while in Chicago. On the tour, “B Mac killed every night. Every night! He would close the show. He was the go to guy.”
His best memory of Bernie on the tour? “At the end, he’d take off his handkerchief, wipe the sweat off his brow, throw it in the audience and open his arms wide open,” Harvey said. “That is the image I’ll always remember.”
He plans to spend his entire syndicated show, which airs mornings in Atlanta at Grown Folks 102.5, sharing memories with listeners about Bernie Mac on Monday. “Right now,” he said, “I’m flying back to Atlanta and I’m going to hug my family,”
Comments
By Saif
August 9, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Rodney,
I did not know that Steve has become an Atlanta area resident. For some reason, I thought he was working out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Interesting….
Also on Bernie — thank you for all the laughs.
By Austin Rhodes
August 9, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
God bless Bernie Mac…what a talent…the Lord laughs wells tonight!
By Gay Karaoke Satan
August 9, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
The star of Mr. 3000 and Charlies Angels 2 will be sorely missed…
By Valerie R
August 10, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
I saw Bernie Mac in Atlanta at the Phillips Arena and was priviledged to go backstage and take a picture with him. He was such a gracious man. Thank you Bernie for being goodhearted enough to brighten my day then and always. You will be missed.
By Hugh G. Rection
August 10, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
what a tough weekend for da brothaz… first bernie mac then issac hayes. who’s next ? Frank ski? GOD HELP US!
By Lois
August 10, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
The “Mac Man” has left the building but his spirit, talent, million dollar smile and that dynamic personality will be with us forever. You always did it your way Bernie and that is why you were so loved but God loved you more. My deepest condolences and sympathy go out to his family, colleagues and friends your fans will truly miss you!!!
By weatherboy
August 11, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
AJC.com Headline: ATL reax to Bernie Mac.
Reax? Is that a joke?
By kayj
August 11, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
To Saif and Rodney,
I also didn’t Steve Harvey lives in Atlanta. However, when Fox 5 showed their interview with Steve Harvey (which they said was done today), he was broadcasting from the office of 102.5 here in Atlanta. So Rodney, I’m confused as to how he could have been in Chicago. Do you think you misunderstood? Or did he lie to you? SandraRose.com is reporting that Bernie Mac actually gave an interview where he said Steve Harvey went behind his back and tried to take some of the acting jobs offered to him. What gives?!
By kayjoh
August 11, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
To Saif and Rodney,
I also didn’t Steve Harvey lives in Atlanta. However, when Fox 5 showed their interview with Steve Harvey (which they said was done today), he was broadcasting from the office of 102.5 here in Atlanta. So Rodney, I’m confused as to how he could have been in Chicago. Do you think you misunderstood? Or did he lie to you? SandraRose.com is reporting that Bernie Mac actually gave an interview where he said Steve Harvey went behind his back and tried to take some of the acting jobs offered to him. What gives?!
http://www.rhymeswithsnitch.blogspot.com/ is reporting on a “Bernie Mac interview in Ebony magazine where Bernie talked about how he and Steve Harvey were no longer friends because after Bernie got that part in Ocean’s 11, Steve and his publicist went behind his back and contacted the producers and tried to tell them that Steve would be a much better fit for the part? At the time, Bernie said of all the Hollywood b****** he’d been through that was the one thing that hurt him the most. And now who’s the first one on TV talking about how much they loved and will miss Bernie? Steve “I ain’t got no shame” Harvey.”
By Gill
August 12, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
The most memorable Mac line to me, and you gotta go way back to Def comedy Jam….. “When you get up in that puy you gotta stir it like coffee. Stir it like moa f**kin coffee.” lol. Still brings a smile to my face. Comedy has lost a legend.
By Leela Rockmahn
August 19, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
A true “Kang”. Yes, I know…not King, Kang. Just like Steve said in “Kings of Comedy”. Bernie Mac was a true “Kang”. RIP my beloved brother and every Black man and woman’s “Uncle”.