I think had the show not been cancelled after the 5th season, I think the show probably would have ended after 7 seasons since Bernie Mac passed away in August of 2008 so I don't think an 8th season of the show would have happened. I think the 6th season would have been a perfect way to end the series since I think it would concluded the series properly.
shareIf Bernie Mac had lived, right now they'd be doing seson 10 which would be about 200 episodes so far, but I still think it would have only lasted until season 7 at most.
shareThis show should have gone on for two more years. Five seasons was not good enough for a show like this. I'm not surprised if Fox wanted to end the show sooner given how terrible the ratings were most of the time. I'm surprised they didn't and seemed to see the show having potential to have it get to 100 episodes for it to be able to sell for reruns on other networks. As well as it managed to do in syndication, it certainly should have gone on for two more years. Season 7 would have been it since like you said, Bernie had died in the summer 2008.
shareI thought they ended the show b/c Bernie wasn't well. Just look at him during the last season. His face was puffy and his hair was different. He honestly didn't look well. I miss the guy!
shareI'm Manna-Fest from the old IMDb forum who made that comment you're replying to.
Yes, he did look different, but I think he just gained weight. The man was still working quite good the last two years after the show ended, even doing that Soul Men movie (which could have been better being his last starring movie right before his death) so I think him doing two more seasons of this wouldn't have been too much of an issue. But this show was robbed of a longer run and cut rather short.