Bernie Mac RIP

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Bernie Mac. I produced and directed for three seasons on the Bernie Mac Show.

Bernie wasn’t just the star, he was a host. It was his set, and he made everyone feel welcome. He spoke to every crew member, from stand-ins to guests visiting for an hour.

He wasn’t always “on” but he was always funny. Nothing was more delightful than lunch time. At least once a week he had a soul food lunch catered in his large dressing room, and invited EVERYONE to get a plate. It was an amazing spread, with ox tail and ribs and lima beans and mac (heh) and cheese. He’d have a chocolate cake AND a coconut cake…and he didn’t like sweets. But he wanted folks who did to have a choice.

While you ate yourself into a coma, Bernie would tell stories about his life before being a comic…tales of his childhood, of various jobs he had while developing his craft. He was so good it took me a while to realize he couldn’t have worked all those jobs. Who knows how much if any was true, but it didn’t matter. Bernie was a mesmerizing storyteller.

What people didn’t understand was that Bernie was a scientist about his comedy. He was a student of the game, which is why he always invited comedy legends like Carl Reiner and Don Rickles to appear on his show. I directed that Don Rickles episode. I tried to contain my awe of the man and do my job well. After the first day of shooting, Don kissed me dead on the lips. I was flattered and horrified all at once – which is just the way he liked it.

I would often ask Bernie about the state of comedy, and he explained why were not generating as many next generation great black comics. He broke down how the economics and changing of the guard were diminishing standards. It wasn’t hateration, is was a deep understanding of the Game.

Years later, Bernie and I went to lunch together at the 4 Seasons. He gave me a giant compliment by saying I was one of the only people in Hollywood who understood him. That was the last time I saw him.

In memory of him on his birthday (October 5th), here’s some clips from his funeral from his fellow Kings of Comedy.

Cedric The Entertainer:

DL Hughley:

Steve Harvey

And here’s Bernie Mac’s Last Will and Testament:

Talk about it on HEF – the Hudlin Entertainment Forum

On The Set With Burr & Hart

I just finished shooting a pilot last week for Comedy Central. It’s tentatively titled BURR & HART, and it’s an ODD COUPLEesque sitcom starring Bill Burr and Kevin Hart.

Both guys are really funny, both are very popular on Comedy Central and they are friends in real life so it was a pretty easy idea for them to basically play themselves on TV.

I’ve known Kevin for years and loved watching him evolve as a performer.

Look at all the talent in that clip from that movie!

This is Bill avoiding the blazing Van Nuys sun. I wasn’t familiar with Bill’s work before, but became an instant fan the minute I was exposed to it. He’s smart and original…like a cool mix of Seinfeld and Louis CK.

I love that clip, but I was really impressed with this clip. He does something really rare: comedy about black people from a white guy that isn’t pandering or racist. Very impressive for a Boston boy:

Both of them are great guys who are pleasures to work with.

The show is written and executive produced by Bruce McCulloch, one of the KIDS IN THE HALL, the brilliant comedy troupe.

Here’s a clip from their latest limited series, DEATH COMES TO TOWN. Bruce plays a lot of characters in this clip, including the mayor, a cop and a large woman on a couch.

Bruce is a funny, smart guy and a filmmaker himself. He wrote all four episodes of DEATH COMES TO TOWN, the incredible movie BRAIN CANDY, and directed this film:

Click here: IMDb Video: Superstar

Here’s a shot of me trying out a gag with an inflatable airbag.

We finished the show Friday night at midnight, as the Labor Day weekend began. From the penthouse suite at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, we could see the fireworks display at the Hollywood Bowl, where my mother and several of her friends were watching Earth Wind and Fire play with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra as part of my mom’s 80th birthday celebration. I bought the tickets and called my man Verdine White to meet mom and her friends after the show, but couldn’t be in two places at once, so my brother Chris went to the show instead.

I don’t want to say too much about the show itself other than it’s a pilot, so you may never see it, but wow we collectively produced a whole lotta funny this week. I’ll be spending the next month finishing it up, then it’s up the folks at Comedy Central whether it’s a go or not.

But a good time was had by all.

Talk about it on HEF – the Hudlin Entertainment Forum