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The show is loosely based on Mac's stand-up comedy acts. In real life, Bernie Mac is married with one child; Mac's character on the show (also a stand-up comedian) is married with no kids of his own. The pilot episode, broadcast November 14, 2001, set up the basic premise for the show: the character Bernie Mac takes in his sister's children after she enters rehab. Much of the humor in the show is derived from Bernie's continual adjustment to and his unique take on parenthood. Oftentimes during the show, Bernie, while still in character, breaks the ' fourth wall' and directly address the audience.