Black Books (2000–2004)

Bernard Black runs his own bookshop even though he doesn't much like people who buy books and hates having customers. Next door to Bernard's shop is the Nifty Gifty gift shop run by Fran, ... See full summary »

Creator:

Dylan Moran

Stars:

Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

Bernard Black runs his own bookshop even though he doesn't much like people who buy books and hates having customers. Next door to Bernard's shop is the Nifty Gifty gift shop run by Fran, probably Bernard's only friend in the world. When Bernard's accountant goes on the run Bernard employs stress victim, Manny to help in his shop. This leads to a series of surreal adventures around the shop.

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Plot Keywords:

book | accountant | color in title | surrealism | live audience | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

Channel 4 [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Böcker

Filming Locations:

Leigh Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Assembly Film and Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Stereo (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

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".

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Quotes

Bernard: [selling a book] Enjoy. It's dreadful, but it's quite short.

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Connections

Featured in Channel 4's 30 Greatest Comedy Shows (2012)

User Reviews

"Leave town with an orange and pretend you're laughing at it"

It's a crime in my opinion that each season is only six episodes long. Then again I suppose I'm used to American sitcoms and their 'spew out 22 episodes and they'll lap it up' method. Limiting it to just six episodes makes the comedy concentrated and instead of having a few good moments in an episode, the whole episode is memorable.

In real life Bernard Black (Dylan Moran) the owner of his own book shop would be horrible. He'd be hated the world over, but in this natty little sitcom he's thigh-slapping hilarious. Most of the time Manny (Bill Bailey) doesn't need to say anything, his facial expressions are enough to have you rolling on the floor with tears of laughter. I once saw Bill Bailey doing stand up and thought he was great so I'm pleased to see him in something like this. Fran (Tamsin Grieg) is almost the straight man of the group. She's not as cranky as Bernard and she's not as out there as Manny, she's a nice blend. The episode in which she did yoga and declared she was 'so relaxed you could pour me into a bowl' was a definite highlight.

As a reviewer said before - the more you watch it the funnier it gets! My friend and I regularly have email conversations during the day just consisting of Black Books quotes and who can remember the funniest ones! A little obsessive I'll admit, but the show deserves such a following!