Black Books(2000)
Black Books centres around the foul tempered and wildly eccentric bookshop owner Bernard Black. Bernard’s devotion to the twin pleasures of drunkenness and wilful antagonism deepens and enriches both his life and that of Manny, his assistant. Bearded, sweet and good, Manny is everything that Bernard isn’t and is punished by Bernard relentlessly just for the crime of existing. They depend on each other for meaning as Fran, their oldest friend, depends on them for distraction. Black Books is a haven of books, wine and conversation, the only threat to the group’s peace and prosperity is their own limitless stupidity.
- Created by:
- Dylan Moran, Graham Linehan
- First aired:
- 2000-09-29
- Country:
- GB
- Network:
- Channel 4
Episodes
1. The Entertainer
★ 7.92002-03-01 · 24m
Fran decides to take up piano lessons with a very prominent teacher, however all doesn't go to plan and she ends up having to ask Manni for a favour. Meanwhile Bernard asks a girl out and once again Manni is called upon for a favour.
2. Fever
★ 7.72002-03-08 · 24m
On a scorching hot day, Manni tries to maintain his body temperature so it doesn't go over 88 degrees; Fran has problems with a new neighbour, and Bernard tries to find an appropriate "summer girl".
3. The Fixer
★ 7.42002-03-15 · 23m
Bernard and Manni have to deal with a gangster turned writer who plans to hold a reading of his autobiography at the book shop, however he can't read. Meanwhile Fran gets an office job where she isn't quite sure what she is meant to be doing.
4. Blood
★ 7.22002-03-22 · 23m
Manni and Bernard try to keep up with modern book shops and in doing so Manni helps Fran get over her boredom by encouraging her to look up her family tree.
5. Hello Sun
★ 7.42002-03-29 · 24m
Fran tries to cleanse her lifestyle by taking up yoga and going on a radical diet, while Bernard and Manni receive some books on Freud and their lives descend into his famous theories.
6. A Nice Change
★ 7.12002-04-05 · 24m
When construction starts next door to the shop, Manni, Bernard and Fran try to decide what to do while it continues.
Where to watch
Stream
Availability for United States, provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Links open the provider's own listing.
Cast
Dylan Moran
Bernard
Bill Bailey
Manny
Tamsin Greig
Fran
