"Black Books" (2000) TV series 2000-2004

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Creator:

Dylan Moran

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

9 December 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Bernard Black runs his own bookshop even though he doesn't much like people who buy books and hates having customers...

Plot Keywords:

Book | Accountant | Surrealism | Smoking | Wine

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Dylan Moran	...	Bernard Black (18 episodes, 2000-2004)
Bill Bailey	...	Manny (18 episodes, 2000-2004)
Tamsin Greig	...	Fran (18 episodes, 2000-2004)

Runtime:

30 min (18 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Stereo (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

UK:15 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Leigh Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

Company:

Assembly Film and Television

Trivia:

Bernard is inspired by a real bookshop owner in Dublin whom 'Dylan Moran' described as "he looks like he's swallowed a cup of sour milk and peed himself at the same time. He has this green bilious expression, years of displeasure have shaped his face".

Quotes:

Bernard: You know what you are? You're a beard with an idiot hanging off it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: (#11.12)" (2006)

"I ate all your bees!"

That's just one of the many classically surreal lines from the brilliant "Black Books". In fact, there are so many more that practically every other line is another bizarre comment that'll have you giggling into your dry white wine (as long as it's not Chardonnay). From the first episode of the first series (Bernard mincing up to a bunch of thuggish looking Millwall supporters and asking "Which one of you bitches wants to dance?") to the last episode of the second series (a restaurant where they have no vegetables and all the meat dishes are served up complete with little tombstones), "Black Books" deals in the sort of off-kilter humour that frequently defies any kind of logic and always manages to be unfailingly hilarious.

If you can, get hold of the DVD of the first series. Apart from the wonderful out-takes, there's also a running commentary from all three of the excellent actors involved. Their insights into the series will make you appreciate this unique show all the more.