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From Amazon.co.uk
One of the few genuinely outstanding British comedy shows of the past decade, Black Books unites excellent comedic performances, very funny scripts, and plenty of rewatch value.
The concept is simple enough. Bernard (expertly played by Dylan Moran) runs a bookshop. The only problems are he can't stand people, hates customers, and would far prefer to be barking out cutting remarks and drinking wine. Still, it's after drinking much of the aforementioned wine that he offers Manny (Bill Bailey, again in terrific form) a job. Manny accepts, and finds his daily life involves taking abuse from Bernard, while remaining strangely and resolutely upbeat. Fran (Tamsin Greig) meanwhile also likes her wine, and finds herself stuck between the two of them, with a few odd encounters of her own thrown in too.
So far nothing particularly out of the ordinary, right? Well, mix in some of the creative force behind Father Ted, combine those aforementioned performances, and simmer to the point where episode after episode garners a cocktail of sniggers and belly laughs, and you have something really rather special. Like many of the best shows, the curtain has come down on Black Books after only three series. But the long-lasting legacy are episodes that are set to be enjoyed for a long, long time to come. --Simon Brew
Product Description
Complete first series of the situation comedy based on the testing times of Bernard Black (Dylan Moran, who also co-writes), misanthropic bookshop owner extraordinaire. Bernard loves books but hates customers, and his approach to capitalism is only matched by Fran (Tamsin Greig), the owner of the 'Nifty Gifty' giftshop nextdoor. When Bernard's accountant goes on the run he is replaced by oddball accountant Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey) who saves Bernard from the terrors of doing his own book-keeping, and proves a hit with the customers. Further episodes see this mismatched retail duo becoming obsessed with the Sweeney, getting into hot water during some routine house-sitting, and suffer defeat at the hands of the new shop security system.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a great series (as are all 3 Black Books series).
Highlight for me of series 1, is Manny chasing the mugger down the road and then bottling it when the guy turns round to face him. This is the result of Manny overdosing on The Sweeney and Expresso Coffee and then not sleeping. Bill Bailey is very funny in this show and if you've only caught his stand-up show you should watch Black Books without delay.
Bernard is clearly an Irish relative of Basil Fawlty. He hates all customers and has no interest in helping them. Dylan Moran who wrote or co-wrote most of the material plays Bernard and deserves a large amount of credit for creating 3 amazing characters.
Tasmin Greig is fabulous as Fran, a gentle kind hearted woman who is also prone to excessive drinking and on occasions very odd behaviour.
The voice over commentary from the cast on the DVD is nearly as entertaining as the show itself and well worth listening to.
Whilst not quite as laugh out loud as a few of the greatest sit-coms, the occasionally surreal writing and character mix put it very close to the top of the tree.
Highlight for me of series 1, is Manny chasing the mugger down the road and then bottling it when the guy turns round to face him. This is the result of Manny overdosing on The Sweeney and Expresso Coffee and then not sleeping. Bill Bailey is very funny in this show and if you've only caught his stand-up show you should watch Black Books without delay.
Bernard is clearly an Irish relative of Basil Fawlty. He hates all customers and has no interest in helping them. Dylan Moran who wrote or co-wrote most of the material plays Bernard and deserves a large amount of credit for creating 3 amazing characters.
Tasmin Greig is fabulous as Fran, a gentle kind hearted woman who is also prone to excessive drinking and on occasions very odd behaviour.
The voice over commentary from the cast on the DVD is nearly as entertaining as the show itself and well worth listening to.
Whilst not quite as laugh out loud as a few of the greatest sit-coms, the occasionally surreal writing and character mix put it very close to the top of the tree.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Scurra
Format:DVD
I am one of those people who doesn't tend to laugh out loud at this sort of stuff. However, an exception was made for practically all of the episodes on this (particularly Grapes of Wrath): the comedy is so eccentric!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Haven't had such a good laugh for a long time; probably since I first watched Phoenix Nights. This is a great DVD and a must-have for anyone who appreciates clever script writing and great comedy acting. Worth owning it just to watch the wine concocting scene and Manny's SAS survival night. Class stuff.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Undoubtably one of the funniest things to come out of Channel 4, or the whole of terrestrial TV for years!
Like Bill Bailey? Dylan Morant? The characters played by them are so well suited, I will not spoil it by giving one liners or scenarios...trust me, buy it at this price and enjoy- you will!
Also, the out-takes are brilliant too!
Like Bill Bailey? Dylan Morant? The characters played by them are so well suited, I will not spoil it by giving one liners or scenarios...trust me, buy it at this price and enjoy- you will!
Also, the out-takes are brilliant too!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By London Girl
Format:DVD
What can I say that hasn't been said already? This is a superb series that you just can't help but laugh at. I would highly recommend this.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By S. Meadows
Format:DVD
Co-written by Graham Linehan, creator of Father Ted and The IT Crowd, this is one of the most underrated comedies of the last decade. Set in a smll bookshop in a generic well-to-do area of west London, it might be hard to imagine how a fully-developed comedy could emerge from this background. But the quality of the writing and the comedy performances from the 3 leads was fantastic. Looking back, it seems like an all star cast, but in fact this was the launching ground for many greats of British comedy. Dylan Moran, Tamsin Grig and Bill Bailey were not very well known before this.
Loved by its fans (amongst whom I count myself) but little known elsewhere, it has since acquired the status of 'cult comedy.' So why would I advocate that you watch this? It is almost comedy distilled; comedy in its purest, simple form.
Loved by its fans (amongst whom I count myself) but little known elsewhere, it has since acquired the status of 'cult comedy.' So why would I advocate that you watch this? It is almost comedy distilled; comedy in its purest, simple form.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Glowbox
Format:DVD
I re-bought this DVD, having lost it from the full series set (someone I lent it to obviously loved it too). The first episode in particular is one of the funniest things I've ever watched: the main characters are outrageous caricatures of people we all know, in a perfectly ordinary setting; the dynamics between the characters are perfect; the humour is totally offbeat, without ever being crude; there's an element of slapstick mixed with a fair amount of witty dialogue. I watch it often with my children and it causes gales of laughter every time. The ideal remedy for boredom on a rainy day.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mia
Format:DVD
this first series never fails to amuse me - the second and third series are amusing too, but the first holds a certain amusing quality that isn't surpassed by the others.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
FATHER BLACK
Black Books is a gem of the sitcom world. Why oh why do more4 persist with endless reruns of Father Ted. When they could show this. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mikebee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Excellent series - perfect casting. I could watch these episodes over and over again and still laugh out loud.
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by Paddy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic comedy
There has not been such a great classic comedy series since the days of Blackadder or Fawlty Towers. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2009 by S. Beattie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A side-splitter
This series is funny from the first episode to the last. Bill Bailey is especialy funny as 'Mannie'. Dylan Moran is also good as the grumpy book-shop owner. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2006 by Sam's reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Drunken ramblings
A TV sit-com with drunk Irish comedian Dylan Moran and self-confessed balding Klingon Bill Bailey? I'm sold! Read more
Published on 22 July 2006 by Ms. K. M. Kitching
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