March 2003 Head of State : An Interview with Bernie Mac

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Interviewed by Wilson Morales Head of State: An Interview with Bernie Mac After doing the comedy circuit for many years, Bernie Mac has finally arrived. We had seen him in small roles in films such as Booty Call, The Players Club and “Life”, but after appearing DEF Comedy JAM, folks started to take notice. He definitely “blew up” the spot in Kings of Comedy and now he has own TV show, The Bernie Mac Show. And to be cast in Ocean’s Eleven with a who’s who of today’s leading Hollywood men is a feat itself. Later this year, he will be replacing Bill Murray in role of Bosley in the sequel to Charlie’s Angels in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. But in the meantime, he’s teaming up with Chris Rock in Head of State. In an interview with blackfilm.com, Bernie Mac talks about his current projects and his thoughts on being President of the USA. WM: What are you up to these days? BM: I’m coming back in May to Washington with my new book it’s called Go Ask Your Mother. It’s about my humble beginnings from when I started to where I am now and why I do what I do. The reason I named it Go Ask Your Mother is because my mother and my grandmother are the most significant part of my life. They’re the two strongest people I ever had in my life, there wasn’t any man. WM: With your TV show booming, some may call you the “King of Comedy”. If so, what does that make Chris [Rock]? BM: You know, I’m not into titles but if I had to give him a title he is one the premier comics out today, if not the best stand-up comic today. Political issues, I think he has the best comedy than any of us. I’m a storyteller, I’m a hands on guy I deal with personal experience, and I try to tap in on everybody’s life. When you talk about style, Chris has more of a universal style. Chris has come into his own because I’ve known Chris for a long time. I’ve seen Chris how he’s developed; he’s seen how I’ve developed. So I don’t think you can put a title on good. The Kings of Comedy that’s a beautiful thing but if Bill Cosby and Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor and George Kirby would have gotten together, we couldn’t have even come close to naming it ‘The Jacks of Comedy’. I will share the stage with that boy [Rock] in a minute, not because he’s my buddy but because he’s damn good. Now, what he does on a film, you know I tell Chris ‘You can’t act, but you funnier than a motherf----- alright’. WM: Are you hoping to duplicate your success on the big-screen, like you have on the small-screen? BM: You know what I don’t think about success, I do from my heart and wherever the ball bounce I’m not responsible. I’m going to give you myself; you ring the bell I bet I’m coming. See I don’t do things for title and superficial things. I don’t do it for women, I don’t do it for money, and I don’t do it for cars. I am who you see. I couldn’t be a politician, I’m too direct, and I’m too straightforward. I’ve never been in a gang; I’ve never been in a group. I stand on my own; if I don’t have I’ll do without. So I ain’t looking for titles and trophies and all that kind of stuff, but at the end of the day you all can never say I cheated you or myself and that’s a fact. WM: What about the idea for the movie? BM: “Oh, for this one this it’s Ali [Leroi] and Chris [Rock], I can’t take any credit for something I didn’t do.” WM: How do you feel about the idea? BM: Oh that’s Chris, that’s his style. He and Ali they like to tap in on those types of issues and the way the world is going today it will make him look like a genius. That was just great timing. Everything seems to fit like a perfect glove, the issue that they’re talking about, the way they’re dealing with current events and foreign policy in the movie. I give him a B+ for his directorial debut. WM: Do you get challenged a lot about getting your vision across on your television show? BM: Fortunately for me I don’t. My grandmother always told me how you start is how you finish. Fox has been good with that because they know that I’m going to walk, but now I’m caught. I’ve grown to like 145 people, the writers, the cast and the crew. If it was just me I would do stand-up and do my film, but Big Momma always said finish what you started. The show is in great shape, but television is what is so I gotta stick it out...It's a good show and it’s going to get better. WM: Could you be President? BM: No, I could not hold political office, I’ll be shot. WM: Do you see a sequel to this movie? BM: You know what Chris is probably going to do it depending on how they do and I know he’s going to come to me and I’m torn....If they do a sequel I hope they kill me at the beginning of the movie. WM: Are you going to do “Ocean’s Twelve”? BM: “Yeah, that’s another story.... He [Producer Jerry Weistrauf] called me and he said ‘Yo Bernie ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ is in the making. Everyone’s coming back; don’t make me look for you okay. Clear your schedule in February, be there. Don Cheadle, Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt [Damon] everyone’s coming back, alright. I don’t want to talk to your manager; I don’t want to talk to your agent. I’m talking to your black a-- personally, now do me a favor and hang up.’ So I guess I’m in that one too.” WM: Do you have a preference for stand- up or movies? BM: “I love work. Stand-up is what I am, stand-up is what made me. I’m going back on tour next season after I do Mister 3000 in May. When I go back to the show in August next hiatus I’m doing a thirty city tour and I’m ready. Let me tell you, I’m ready. Get your chicken and have a bucket cause you gon’ throw up.”