7.4/10130 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/14/2001
In the pilot, much to his chagrin, Bernie and Wanda are forced to take care of his sister's three children, Vanessa, Jordan, and Bryanna since she can no longer take care of them anymore.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Larry Wilmore
7.3/1078 votes#2 - Now You Got It
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/14/2001
Bernie's desperate to get away to Vegas with his frineds, but Bryana's birthday and the germ infested children that it causes make it a difficulty.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Teri Schaffer
7.6/1071 votes#3 - The Main Event
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/21/2001
Jordan is tormented by bullies at school, so Bernie teaches him some moves that unfortunately turn Jordan into a monster.
Director: Linda Mendoza
Writer: Marc Abrams, Michael Benson
7.6/1070 votes#4 - Bernie Mac, Ladies Man
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/28/2001
When Wanda plans a play date for a group of kids, Bernie ends up winning over the moms for the afternoon and becoming defensive about his masculinity.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: N/A
7.4/1062 votes#5 - Saving Bernie Mac
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/5/2001
Bernie and Wanda bring the kids to church to discipline them, but Bernie ends up being the immature one. Later on, the Bishop and Deacon show up at Bernie's house during his poker night and suggest that Bernie allow them to use his house for bible study.
Director: Stan Lathan
Writer: N/A
7.3/1059 votes#6 - Here To Stay
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/12/2001
Bernie realizes that the kids are here to stay, so he begins treating them differently. Wanda complains that Bernie is treating the kids like roomates and holds off sex from him until he realizes the kids are truly part of their family.
Director: Sam Weisman
Writer: Steve Tompkins
7.5/1068 votes#7 - A Christmas Story
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/19/2001
The kids get a dog from the pound, thinking it will be the perfect present for Bernie. Bernie finds the dog, hides it, thinking it is the perfect present for the kids. They think he took it back to the pound, so they try and get revenge.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Marc Abrams, Michael Benson
7.3/1055 votes#8 - Starting School
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1/2/2002
With the kids officially under Bernie's control, it's come time to find them schooling. He enrolls Bryana in a prestigious preschool, Jordan in Catholic school and Vanessa in public junior high. On the first day however, everything that can go wrong, does. With Wanda at work, Bernie is forced to figure everything out for himself. While trying to braid Bryana's hair, he gets hair grease all over his favorite shirt. Jordan fakes being sick and actually forces himself to puke on Bernie's second favorite shirt. Vanessa barricades herself in the bathroom, having ""the worst hair day ever!"" Bernie being Bernie fortunately finds away around all the problems. He fixes Bryana's hair, he foils Jordan's fake illness and he boosts Vanessa's confidence. Not bad for a day's work. If only he didn't ruin his favorite shirts in the process.
Director: David Grossman
Writer: Larry Wilmore
7.2/1051 votes#9 - Hot Hot Hot
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/16/2002
On a hot day, Vanessa detours the family's trip to the water park. Back at home, the kids act wild and the air conditioning breaks.
Director: Linda Mendoza
Writer: Robert Bruce
7.2/1055 votes#10 - Wanda's Week Off
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/23/2002
Wanda spends time with the kids and considers having a child with Bernie.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Teri Schaffer
7.6/1060 votes#11 - The King and I
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/30/2002
when Bernie realizes that anything he says to Jordan and Bryana first goes through Vanessa, he decides to stop fighting the situation and let Vanessa be responsible for the kids.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Steve Tompkins
7.4/1051 votes#12 - Hall of Fame
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 2/6/2002
Jordan sets his sights on joining Vanessa and Bryana on the Bernie Mac Hall of Fame awards shelf. He decides to join his school's football team after hearing that everyone on the squad gets a trophy just for participating. Bernie is thrilled that Jordan is playing football—until he sees his playing skills.
Director: Linda Mendoza
Writer: Marc Abrams, Michael Benson
7.4/1058 votes#13 - Handle Your Business
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 2/13/2002
Bernie is booked on a popular morning radio show, and he gets himself into trouble with the whole family when he draws from his private life to bring comedy to the public airwaves.
Director: Robert Berlinger
Writer: Warren Hutcherson
7.4/1056 votes#14 - Back in the Day
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/20/2002
Bernie becomes concerned when he begins to see the classic signs that old age is catching up with him. He's forgetful, has aches and pains, and is finding gray hairs in, uh, unwanted places. When a panic attack sends Bernie to the Emergency Room after an argument with the kids, he decides to not let the kids send him to an early grave. He fights back and begins trying to act young again. He blasts his music and nags his friends for not staying up all night to play poker with him. Bernie only makes matters worse however when all his ""young"" activities take their toll on his mind and body. When Bryana asks Bernie to play in her Father-Daughter Basketball tournament at school, he complains, saying that he is just too old to play. When he gets to the game though, he realizes that he should be playing and joins in. Although he gets hurt playing, Bernie realizes that being old doesn't mean stopping your life.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Jeffrey Bushell
7.4/1061 votes#15 - Lock Down
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 3/6/2002
When someone breaks into the Mac house, Bernie realizes how vulnerable his family is and turns the house into a high-security compound. Bernie is reminded by his friends of all the crime that happens outside of the home and drives his family crazy with his overprotectiveness.
Director: David Grossman
Writer: Teri Schaffer
7.3/1048 votes#16 - Mac 101
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/27/2002
Impressed by the behavior and talents of another family's kids, Bernie cracks down on his own with a program of constant studying.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Kriss Turner
7.9/1063 votes#17 - If I Were N-Riched Man
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 4/3/2002
After hearing Bernie use inappropriate language at home, Bryana goes to school and repeats it—much to the horror of her teacher. Soon after, a social worker shows up at the house to discuss Bernie's hostility problems.
Director: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Warren Hutcherson
6.9/1054 votes#18 - Stop Having Sex
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 4/17/2002
Bernie is concerned that the kids are exposed to mature subjects.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Warren Hutcherson
7.1/1049 votes#19 - Secrets and Lies
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 5/1/2002
Bernie takes Jordan to a Clippers' game but tells Wanda that Jordan has had an asthma attack and had to go to the hospital. Wanda tries to help Jordan 'feel better'. He feels guilty and asks Bernie if he can admit his wrongdoing. Bernie explains that it is occasionaly ok to lie, but Jordan takes it to a whole new level. He manipulates his sisters, aunt, school, and even Bernie. When the family has dinner a slew of lies are admitted by everyone in the family.
Director: Robert Berlinger
Writer: Marc Abrams, Michael Benson, Jeffrey Bushell
7.6/1054 votes#20 - Kelly's Heroes
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 5/8/2002
When Kelly's girlfriend throws him out, Bernie lets him stay at the house.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Steve Tompkins
6.7/1046 votes#21 - Sweet Home Chicago (1)
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/15/2002
Bernie takes the entire family to Chicago for the funeral of a beloved uncle, but his cousin's scheming mars the trip.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Larry Wilmore, Warren Hutcherson, Kriss Turner
7.8/1060 votes#22 - Sweet Home Chicago (2)
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/15/2002
Bernie takes the family on a tour of his old stomping grounds. Vanessa attempts to find her mother.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: Steve Tompkins, Teri Schaffer, Larry Wilmore
The Best Episodes of The Bernie Mac Show Season 1
Every episode of The Bernie Mac Show Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Bernie Mac Show Season 1!
The Bernie Mac Show is an American sitcom that aired on Fox for five seasons from November 14, 2001 to April 14, 2006. The series...
Genre:Comedy
Network:FOX
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Bernie Mac Show" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 130 votes. Directed by Ken Kwapis and written by Larry Wilmore, it aired on 11/14/2001. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Now You Got It".