S1.E1

Cooking the Books

Name: Cooking the Books
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2000-09-29
Duration: 22 min
Rating: 8
Cast: Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig

Episode aired Sep 29, 2000
TV-14
22m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

Comedy

Bernard is struggling to cope with getting down to menial but essential tasks for his book shop, such as the accounts when a chance meeting with a customer, Manny, helps him out. Meanwhile, ... Read allBernard is struggling to cope with getting down to menial but essential tasks for his book shop, such as the accounts when a chance meeting with a customer, Manny, helps him out. Meanwhile, the owner of the shop next door, enlists the help of Bernard and his customers to find out... Read allBernard is struggling to cope with getting down to menial but essential tasks for his book shop, such as the accounts when a chance meeting with a customer, Manny, helps him out. Meanwhile, the owner of the shop next door, enlists the help of Bernard and his customers to find out exactly what an object from her shop is and in doing so misses an important appointment.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos9

Tony Bluto and Dylan Moran in Kirjava joukko (2000)

Dominic Carter and Dylan Moran in Kirjava joukko (2000)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The Gag about tax receipts turned in to a jacket was actually used in a "tax time" commercial, with full suit of receipts.

Quotes
Rich Guy: Those books. How much?
Bernard: Hmmm?
Rich Guy: Those books. The leather-bound ones.
Bernard: Yes, Dickens, the Collected Works of Charles Dickens.
Rich Guy: Are they real leather?
Bernard: They're real Dickens.
Rich Guy: I have to know if they're real leather because they have to go with the sofa.
[Bernard looks confused]
Rich Guy: Everything else in my house is real. I'll give you two hundred for them.
Bernard: Two hundred what?
Rich Guy: Two hundred pounds.
Bernard: Are they leather-bound pounds?
Rich Guy: No.
Bernard: Sorry. I need leather bound pounds to go with my wallet. Next.

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

10/10

What a start!

Bernard Black runs a small bookstore that somehow survives despite Bernard's non-existent customer service skills and ethos. He is particularly frazzled right now as it is tax time and he is doing his taxes himself - his accountant is on the run from the police. Fran runs the nearby knick-knacks store and can't fathom out what the gadget she is selling does. Manny works in an office and hates his job. The Little Book of Calm is the only thing that can get him through the day.

Wonderfully funny, imaginative and absurdist start to the series. We are introduced to the main characters - Bernard, Fran and Manny - and how they know each other and right off the bat we have some great plots and skits.

A notable episode too for having early-career Martin Freeman in a minor role. A year later he would be starring in The Office.

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