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Black Books: Series 1 [2000]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

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

Editorial
Synopsis

Series one of BLACK BOOKS follows the adventures of bookshop owner Bernard (Dylan Moran), his assistant Manny (Bill Bailey) and Fran (Tamsin Greig), who works in a new age shop next door. In this entertaining surreal comedy, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey make a great double act, delivering the tightly written script (by Moran and FATHER TED co-writer Graham Linehan) with consummate ease, while Tamsin Greig as Fran does an admirable job of diffusing the tensions that rise between Bernard and Manny. Contains all the episodes from the first series: “Cooking The Books”, “Manny’s First Day”, “The Grapes of Wrath”, “The Blackout”, “The Big Lock-Out” and “He’s Leaving Home”.

Drunkenness and debauchery... I love it
Review date: 2007-07-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

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!

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Reviews


Hilarious
Review date: 2007-07-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

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.

Top Notch
Review date: 2006-09-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

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.


Drunken ramblings
Review date: 2006-07-22 Rating: 8 out of 10

A TV sit-com with drunk Irish comedian Dylan Moran and self-confessed balding Klingon Bill Bailey? I'm sold!
Black Books has hardly anything to do with books and more to do with the ways Bernard (Moran) attempts to annoy his sweet, gentle, patient housemate and employee Manny (Bailey) whilst their friend Fran attempts to intervene with a smidgeon of reason and a lot of wine. Favourite bits: Bernard resorting to eating out of a shoe and cutting Manny's yo-yo string. Don't ask, just buy it. And look out for series two with Simon Pegg guest-starring as the evil rival book-store owner!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Tamsin Greig
Dylan Moran
Bill Bailey

Creators:
Dylan Moran (Primary Contributor)
Bill Bailey (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Channel 4 DVD
Manufacturer: Channel 4 DVD
EAN: 6867441009191
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-06-19
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 142 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000
Language: English (Original Language)

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