Product Description
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From Graham Linehan, co-writer of 'her Ted', comes Black
Books--a new cult comedy set in a second hand bookshop. Dylan
Moran stars as the bohemian--and frequently drunk--owner who has
one major problem with his line of work: he hates customers. Help
is soon at hand, however, in the form of mild-mannered Manny
(Bill Bailey), who proves to be something of a star at selling
books, and Fran (Tamsin Greig), who owns the shop next door...
Series 1 episodes
Episode 1: Cooking The Books
When his dodgy accountant goes on the run, Bernard finds himself
having to fill in his own tax return - not the easiest thing when
you're mathematically illiterate. Perhaps some sort of crippling
injury is the way out? Meanwhile, Fran discovers a Thing.
Episode 2: Manny First Day
Bernard, having offered him the job while drunk, does his best
to get rid of his new charge by offering a one-day trial to see
if the suspiciously modern-looking Manny is up to scratch. When
the verdict goes against our goateed chum, Fran steps in and
raises hell.
Episode 3: The Grapes Of Wrath
The discomforting presence in the bookshop of an oddly
cleaner forces Bernard and Manny to accept a house-sitting job.
There, they immediately manage to drink an unbelievably expensive
bottle of wine. Meanwhile, Fran's date with an available,
attractive, charming man is exactly the sort of disaster you'd
expect.
Episode 4: The Blackout
Manny, hyper after a night of drinking too many espressos and
watching an entire box-set of The Sweeney, is mistaken for a
man after his high-speed pursuit of a bagsnatcher. And
Bernard is snubbed by the same people who invited him to a dinner
party the previous evening, and he begins to realise he must have
behaved abominably...
Episode 5: The Big Lock-Out
The installation of a new security system for the shop that
neither Bernard nor Manny can operate results in Bernard being
locked out for the evening, while Manny is locked in. Meanwhile,
Fran has a reunion with an old friend with an unbelievably sexy
voice.
Episode 6: He's Leaving Home
Manny becomes a runaway when Bernard's relentless bossiness gets
too much for him. But life is tough on the street, so when a
photographer offers him a place to stay he's happy to take him up
on the offer - even though the photographer has an uny
fascination for beards. Back home, Manny's absence is keenly
felt, leading to tension between Bernard and Fran.
Series 2 Episodes
Episode 1: The Entertainer
Ever keen to distract herself, Fran takes up piano. Ever keen to
delude himself, Bernard falls in love. All Manny wants is a
break. But genius finds no rest as Fran lies to a sweet old blind
man and Bernard deceives his adoring public. Episode 2: Fever
Fran can't in the heat. Bernard needs a girlfriend to stop
him staring. And Manny is worried about the reliability of his
magic hot water bottle.
Episode 3: The Fixer
Manny uses his underworld connections to find Fran mysterious
employment. In return all that Bernard and Manny have to do is
educate a psychopath. But will they succeed in teaching dodgy
Danny to read? And how does Bernard feel at the prospect of
losing his thumbs?
Episode 4: Blood
Unemployed and restless, Fran takes comfort in the discovery of
her exotic new-found cousins. And in a misguided pursuit of
Michelin stars, Manny and Bernard transform the infested bookshop
into a restaurant.
Episode 5: Hello Sun
Fran tries to discover her inner karma at the advice of her
disapproving friend Eva. Meanwhile, Bernard finds positive proof
that Manny is mad.
Episode 6: Nice Change
Bernard and Manny can't hear themselves argue because of the
builders next door. Fran suggests a holiday. But how will the
three of them fare when they attempt to venture abroad together?
Series 3 Episodes
Episode 1: Manny Come Home
Fran comes back from holiday to discover that Manny has resigned
and is now working next door at Goliath Books. Left to his own
devices, Bernard has let things slip a little. He is living amid
a pile of rubbish, rotting food and dead badgers. Fran wants to
get Manny back in Black Books so he can clear up and make her
tea, but the manager of Goliath has plans for Manny and no
intention of letting him go.
Episode 2. Elephants And Hens
It's International Children's Book week in Black Books. Bernard
and Manny reckon they can do better than the t that children
are offered these days, so decide to write their own kids'
classic and retire, Rowling-rich. Fran is off on a hen weekend
with her best friends from school so there's no way she can fall
out with them. Or is there?
Episode 3: Moo-ma And Moo-pa
Manny's parents come to stay. They are a perfectly nice
middle-aged couple with one or two slightly annoying habits.
Bernard wants rid of them, preferably the day before yesterday.
And Fran is rather grumpy about pretending to be Manny's
girlfriend to corroborate Manny's letters home, in which his
life's achievements have been somewhat exaggerated.
Episode 4: A Little Flutter
Manny puts a bet on the Grand National for Bernard, who cls
not to be interested in gambling but immediately becomes
completely addicted to it. Fran, looking for work, needs a
short-term job to appear employable. Bernard hires her, putting
her up against Manny in competition for sales person of the
century to replenish his dwindling funds. All the while Bernard
is losing more and more money and borrowing gambling funds from
ier and ier people...
Episode 5: The Travel Writer
Manny is extremely proud of the travel writing festival that he
has organised. He has invited the famously charming explorer
Jason Hamilton to give a talk. Fran soon falls for his twinkling
eyes and lavish hair, leaving a jealous Manny raging. Meanwhile,
Bernard is more concerned about the rent charges he has to pay to
his new neighbour. Rather than face a lengthy court case, he
hires a professional assassin...
Episode 6: Party
It's Friday night. Manny and Fran are determined to go out and do
something for once. Bernard would rather stay at home, get drunk
and ignore his friends. Manny insists they go to a party. But
why? And anyway, who is the best dancer?
Special Features
Series 1:
• Cast Commentary
• Out-takes
• Photo Gallery
• Series 2 Teaser Trailer
Series 2:
• Out-takes
• Photo Gallery
• Black Dolls
• Audio Commentary
• Series 3 Teaser Trailer
Series 3:
• Out-takes
• Bernard's Letter
• Photo Gallery
• Deleted Series 1 scenes
• Trailers
.co.uk Review
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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 her 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