Black Books (2000–2004) User Reviews

Very Funny

[rava-1 · 9/10 · 30 May 2006]

I just rented the Black Books series on DVD, knowing nothing at all about it. By the third episode, I had to rewind because I was laughing so hard I actually missed the rest of the scene. Tonight, I will tie my room mate to a chair and force her to become a fan as well. I would say the show is more for people who enjoyed Absolutely Fabulous and The Young Ones than fans of shows like Are You Being Served? It has a great deal of energy and runs off in many directions at once.

Black Books is a bizarre mix of comedic styles, but the whole thing somehow manages to work together. All three main characters have great chemistry and that is probably the real secret. From the commentary and outtakes on the DVDs, they seem to really have fun being silly together.

Black Books is a great deal of fun and well-worth renting. Here's hoping that this comedic team keeps on creating work of this caliber.

Brilliantly funny

[grantss · 9/10 · 30 March 2018]

Bernard Black runs a small bookstore that somehow survives despite Bernard's non-existent customer service skills and ethos. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door, selling knick-knacks people don't need. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.

An hysterically funny series, written by and starring Dylan Moran. Wonderfully funny, imaginative and absurdist with some clever plots and biting dialogue. The banter and put-downs are off-the-charts brilliant.

Excellent work by Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig as Bernard, Manny and Fran, respectively. Good chemistry between the three of them - they make a great team.

The show seemed to get better and better as it went on with Season 3 being insanely funny. It's as if Moran loosened up more and more as the show went on, allowing the jokes to feel less forced. A pity then that it ended after just three seasons and 18 episodes.

Excellent timeless comedy

[JustinDahl · 9/10 · 30 July 2020]

Wish they made more seasons. Bill, Dylan, and Tamsin are brilliant in this.

Pessimistic, Sarcastic, Ironic & witty!

[kerry-coupe · 19 August 2004]

I totally disagree with the other review. Black Books couldn't be funnier. It's one of a kind that takes on board other people's sense of humour, instead of sticking to the same dull and predictable jokes of programmes like Friends and Will & Grace. To say that it tries too hard to be funny, is unfeasible! Some of its most clever jokes almost go unnoticed, and without the aid of canned laughter! Whilst I am a fan of both, when I saw Black Books, I loved it! It's easy to empathise with the pessimistic Bernard, particularly if you're a similar type of person and to sympathies with the gradually stupider Manny. Everyone knows a Bernard or a Manny in their lives, which makes Black Books hilarious! Watch it!

"Whores will have their trinkets"

[nichkeiy · 10/10 · 7 March 2003]

How could the owner of a book shop who says "Enjoy. It's dreadful but it's quite short" not be anything short of hilarious. This is so funny, every line is funny. No boring minutes, no fake action, just plain comedy in a style i find very appealing. Crazily funny lines like "Is space hot?" "Of course it is, where else do you think we get pineapples from?" are acted so perfectly making it spectacularly entertaining. A must see. My favorite show for sure.

best TV show of all time!!

[biglogan · 10/10 · 1 December 2006]

I discovered this show quite by accident while checking out "Father Ted". a website rated them in the same "top 10 britcoms". I love father Ted, i Love Monty Python, Are you being served, Black Adder, all the classic britcoms, but this one is by far the best. The Brits make the best TV in the world and this is, in my opinion, their penultimate achievement. The cast is perfect and work incredibly well together, their chemistry and timing is impeccable. the sets, while limited are so perfectly lit and dressed you almost feel like you're in the shop. And, of course, the writing is genius, i cant think of a better way of putting i (not being a writer myself of course), its just genius. I am continuously amazed at how the British can make hilarious and entertaining television on a limited budget with a very small cast and a single set (maybe two), compared to American sitcoms that have huge budgets, ridiculous casts, expansive sets, and still manage to be barely giggle worthy. If you don't like the dry British humor then don't bother, but if you're what I like call "inteligent and worth talking to" then you will love this show, and be doing yourself a great disservice by not checking it out. Enjoy!

Outstanding British comedy

[tr91 · 10/10 · 8 August 2014]

Black Books is another fine example of just how good British comedy can be. This sitcom is set in a book shop and has 3 main characters. Bernard who is the owner, he is very sarcastic and doesn't like having customers in the shop; he will do anything possible to get rid of them. Then there is his assistant Manny who will do what ever Bernard says. Lastly there is Fran who is always drinking wine and trying to find a relationship.

These 3 characters all compliment each other well and provide the audience with plenty of laughs. Some of the stuff they go through is hilarious as well as something that most can relate to. I would say it's a mix between Bottom and The IT Crowd.

The 1st and 2nd series where extremely funny and it felt like it was a laugh a minute. The 3rd series was also very good apart from 1 or 2 episodes which didn't quite hit the spot for the entire episode. One of my favourite scenes is Manny making toast in the bath! Overall it is a great comedy series with 3 lovable characters who all add something to the show. You can buy all 3 series on DVD for a cheap price so I would highly recommend.

10/10.

Black Book's is a true fall-out-of-your-chair-laughing show

[jap_baker · 10/10 · 29 May 2002]

Believe me, I have done that more than once while watching it (even re-runs), and I've been given funny look's by people who see me laughing at it.

The cast is grate, the character superb and the script is first rate. Going from satire to insane in the time it take to drink bottle (or ten) of wine.

I for one can put up with a few more series of this.

in the TOP 5 comedies EVER

[ezvara · 10/10 · 30 April 2019]

Dear UK, hats off !!! I know this is not the freshest series and I saw, though it first just a few years ago. But MEMORABLE . And I just came across of it accidentally.UK comedies for me are still ( mostly ) the best. I rearly LOL. It was a series of LOL. Let's take: in the 1st episode the Little Book of Calm...Ohhh.. Manny... And I smoke, and I drink more than average....I understand the situations perfectly :) And it's very in....And I hope Daddy doesn't want my hair get cut short... And I love this whole - sadly short - show. as it is. perfect. period.

An odd, yet amazingly hilarious, comedy show

[ImminentOwl · 9/10 · 21 July 2013]

STORY

The storyline found within Black Books is fairly straight forward, following the lives of three characters: Bernard Black, an alcoholic, short-tempered bookstore owner (the bookshop in question being the show's title, Black Books), Manny, his employee/slave and Fran, a friend of Bernard's that regularly hangs out with them. The show follows of life of Bernard's book-shop, with the series almost exclusively set within or around the bookshop. The various plots revolve around the idea that Bernard is, for all intents and purposes, a cranky alcoholic bastard that treats his only employee, Manny, terribly and expects him to wait on him hand and foot. The group go through life trying to be cool and trying to succeed and this leads to quite a few funny situations.

ACTING

The acting is just superb, in fact after watching this it would be difficult to see Dylan Moran (who plays Bernard) in any other role than a cranky, alcoholic bookshop owner. Bill Bailey's portrayal of Manny is equally amazing, with neither actor breaking character for even a second. The third key character (and, indeed, the only time another character is ever seen they are around for one episode and vanish, giving the whole show the entire focus on just the key characters), that of Fran, is equally played well, though the character herself is not quite as interesting, as such she often comes off as somewhat of a less significant character than the two men.

HUMOUR

The humour found within Black Books is, at times, very odd. In fact, unless you can laugh at the mistreatment of a character to the extent of Manny's suffering or find the constant and never-ending failure of their lives entertaining then you may not find much to laugh about in this show. The main focus on the humour is rather downtrodden, there is rarely any success of joy found in the show and even when there it is inevitably leads to even greater failure. However this is also compelling and actually makes for great comedy, despite how absolutely dull it may seem.

OVERALL

If you are somewhat on the fence about this show then I'd highly suggest watching an episode or two, regardless of in which order as nothing really progresses in an overall sense. The humour can be rather bizarre at times and the overall feeling is that life is depressing, but it somehow combines to make an almost charming comedy about a grumpy bookshop owner and a lively, eager assistant. There is never a moment that feels forced and even when the humour doesn't work it still adds something. I highly recommend this, there is almost no reason not to at least give it a try!

RATING: 9/10- An almost must watch for fans of British comedy.

"Black Books" is a British gem well worth watching...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 18 June 2013]

I was recommended "Black Books" from a colleague. I had never heard about it prior to that, so I found a great bargain on Amazon and purchased the DVD boxed set.

And it was with some expectation that I sat down to watch it. And I must admit that my expectations were more than fulfilled. "Black Books" is a great British comedy show, much in the likes of "Father Ted", "Fawlty Towers" or "Black Adder". If you enjoy the witty and often twisted British humor, then you will definitely enjoy "Black Books".

I am not going to go too much into details here, as there are 18 episodes to the three seasons. But to summarize it, then Bernard Black (played by Dylan Moran) owns and runs a small and less than tidy book store named "Black Books". Bernard is a drunkard who hates life and even more so hates the customers that come to annoy him in his store. His long time friend Fran (played by Tamsin Greig) runs a store next to the book store and stop by for chats and often ill-gotten advice. To help him with his financial problems, Bernard hires a strange man named Manny (played by Bill Bailey).

Now, most of the entire show is centered around these three main characters, and the people hired to play these roles not only did good jobs in portraying these strange and lovable characters, but they also carried the show very well on their shoulders. Throughout the various episodes you will see some familiar faces in the supporting roles, such as Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and David Walliams.

The dialogue in "Black Books" is the typical satirical and hilarious dialogue you'd find in many other British comedies. There is nothing sacred here and nothing is barred.

The episodes are fun and well put together, for an overall great enjoyment and amusement.

"Black Books" is a definite must watch for all fans of the British comedy genre.

View, Enjoy, Repeat

[reggie-at-random · 10/10 · 22 July 2020]

Any clot who doesn't get the Black Books humour should just walk away. The cast is a perfect trio. Tamsin Greig in particular stands up wonderfully to the two powerhouses of Moran and Bailey. Not an easy task! The sardonic writing, alarmingly and gloriously ridiculous, delivers retorts I ALWAYS wanted to use in my bookshop minding days long ago and far away. Try it...repeat as you wish...keep sane and enjoy. I take my doses regularly. So should you.

Wasn't my cup of tea at first, but warmed up to it

[McKealty · 7/10 · 20 September 2020]

Once you realize that it's not being played perfectly straight, the show actually gets pretty good.

I thought the performances were a little over the top and hammy but after a few episodes the tone of the show came through and I ended up enjoying it very much.

Narcism galore

[manuel-pestalozzi · 2/10 · 30 May 2008]

With my two stars I will probably make it to the head of the IMDb „hated it"-list for this apparently tremendously popular TV series.

Not least because of the enthusiastic comments on this website, I decided to purchase a DVD edition of the series. Because I usually find British humour suits me just fine. I gave up in the middle of the second instalment – and according to other comments the „funniest" bits were already through.

So now I know, according to another comment, that I definitely lack a sense of humour. But then I had to laugh like crazy while watching (and re-watching) Fawlty Towers to which Black Books is – albeit faintly – thematically related. Why the different reactions? It might be a mere Generation Thing, and yet the differences can be pointed out.

Both Fawlty Towers and Black Books are set in businesses which are meant to sustain their owners financially. Both businesses are not successful but seem – by a miracle – to survive. Fawlty Towers is funny because the protagonists have to deal with situations they cannot cope with. The funniness lies in the fact that they make a serious effort to succeed and while laughing one also feels sorry for them. Black Books has no situations, it's just there and the owner passes his time feeling sorry for himself. If a situation threatens to arise, it is quickly shooed away. It is remarkable how fast and how often a subject is dropped and the protagonists turn to something entirely different to produce an additional joke. Telling jokes – and not very good ones - seems to be all Black Books is about. Why a bookstore? A hardware store would have done the job just as well.

No, stop, wait. It's a bookshop because below the veneer of rudeness, vulgarity and arrogance the protagonists are supposed to be delicate and CULTURED. They are not some lowbrow gorillas but bumbling semi-intellectual losers. Hey, they are like you and me. The manner in which the series makes that claim is the only way I can explain its success. There is nothing remarkable in the protagonist's actions, what's special about them is their economically unrealistic living conditions many viewers maybe envy them for. That protagonists that narcissistic and vapid convey a sense of belonging and companionship seems to be a trademark of the time the First World is presently living in.

Recently I watched Tittybangbang, also a fairly new British TV comedy show. I found it uproariously funny. It is often quite tasteless or xenophobic – but always with a purpose and hitting the bull's eye in its social criticism. The humour is mainly created by situations or by characters with a purpose. The low ratings in IMDb might indicate that this brand of humour is not in keeping with the times, but I am glad it's still alive and kicking and hope it will continue to do so.

"Which one of you bitches wants to dance?"

[OrigamiDoug · 7 June 2002]

I see I'm the first American to write a review of this show, so I'll try to do a good job at representing my country. Quite simply, Black Books is the funniest show I've seen in years, if not the funniest I've ever seen. When I heard Bernard spout the line above to a group of skinheads outside his bookshop, I laughed so hard that I missed the rest of the scene. Thanks to Comedy Central for airing the first series of this show (and the second coming up in August), for I would probably have never seen it if they had not. Most British sitcoms (Britcoms?) I've seen have been funny, but I usually forget about them rather quick (probably due to the cultural differences) but Black Books stuck with me so much that I was forced to buy a bootleg VHS of the first series. Luckily, the tapes included the outtakes and running commentary for each episode on a separate tape so I wouldn't have to buy a region-free DVD player to see them (which I probably would have done!). I fear that I'm rambling now, so I'll just conclude by saying that if you have not seen this great series, then see it!

One of My All Time Favourites!

[michaelbigroberts · 10/10 · 2 July 2017]

Black Books is silly and goofy and about a group of messy, mostly useless slobs... and I loved every single minute of it! What great entertainment.

Black Books is absolutely one of my very favourite television programmes of all time. I really loved the characters and the silly situations they would get involved in. There were laughs from start to finish.

The episode where they drink then foolishly try to replace the priceless wine for the Pope... the episode where she takes piano lessons from a blind man... the episode where they just try to go on vacation...

What a brilliant show! Will make you smile.

The Wonderful Genius of Dylan Moran.

[vertigo_14 · 9/10 · 12 April 2008]

Dylan Moran plays one of the greatest sitcom characters Bernard Black - an unkempt irritable chain-smoking-and-drinking bibliophile who owns Black Books, a bookstore. He takes the same approach to the value of books and despise for superficial customer desires as Jasper Fforde does in his novels about literary detectives. Bernard's constant companionship is, on the one hand, flat mate and coworker Manny (Bill Bailey). Lovable and slightly oafish, he is Bernard's polar opposite. And among them both, is neutral Fran (Tasmin Greig). It's a rather ordinary setting with not so glamorous characters who all seem to share some kind of amusing social awkwardness.

Consumers of American television should break from the confines of poorly written sitcoms to indulge the refreshingly situational Brit-coms. Among the best of them are 'The Mighty Boosh,' 'Garth Merenghi's Darkplace' and this -- 'Black Books.' Running only three seasons, it had the unique quality of hitting it's prime at the start of the first episode before somewhat running out of situational humor by the final six episodes. The dialog is its shining quality, and perhaps the best of it were those episodes co-written by Dylan Moran and Graham Lineham.

Deeply and genuinely funny

[myriamlenys · 9/10 · 31 July 2017]

Superbly demented comedy about the adventures (or non-adventures, as the case may be) of three maladjusted eccentrics trying to navigate a sea of troubles. Highly original ideas and concepts, excellent dialogue, fine performances and a tangible chemistry between the leads - so what more do you need ? (In case you're thinking : "I'd like some random dancing of the deconstructivist school", don't worry, there's that too.)

For all its weirdness, the series is grounded in reality : as a devout visitor to second-hand bookshops I can confirm that this is a prime environment for the sad, the deluded, the angry, the perverse, the eccentric and the misanthropic.

My memories include a manager, in Brussels, who liked to spell out his wishes and desiderata to prospective customers as soon as they entered the store. ("Article one. ALL customers, and I do mean ALL, will greet me in a clear and audible voice upon crossing the threshold"). I also remember a fellow customer who liked to browse his way through stacks of French cooking books - "I don't cook myself but one likes to dream" - while telling everybody about his dog, which had a double jointed tail ; and finally there was a vicious-looking shop girl, tattooed with the ugliest Mexican flower skull I've ever seen, who accused everybody of trying to buy and sell obscene materials. At one point she even accused the postman who tried to give her some mail.

But to return to the subject : I firmly recommend the episode about the most expensive bottle of wine in the world. (The episode, sad to say, does not end well for the Supreme Pontiff.) I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.

Fantasy library, run by agressive romantic misfit

[miaalike · 9/10 · 23 February 2021]

Got to look for it years ago, because of a quote here, the one with the pineapples in space. The escapist library, eratically run by a cultured alcoholic who hates people and the complications of the modern world is the perfect setting when you need a zany break. The often ranting librarian/owner adopts an ex-accountant who went through a breakdown, and their contrasting duo is arbitrated by their misfit friend, while she keeps on banging about integrating herself into the standardized society. The plots are sometimes hazy or a bit poetic, but still keep together. The actors are big on their art, coming from standup (the 2 unlikely friends) and they all have strong personalities. Also surrealistic at times, feels like modern literature, feet on earth, but expanding into surreal.

I love this show!

[stat-07197 · 10/10 · 12 November 2015]

I enjoy British comedy and this show does not disappoint. It is a cross (for me) of Absolutely Fabulous and The Young Ones. I stumbled across the series on Netflix and will be binge watching it all this weekend.

Thank you Netflix for including this show in your lineup. The main actors do a superb job of capturing their characters' quirks and idiosyncrasies.

I would love to see outtakes because I am quite sure the actors must crack up all through production.

Give this show a watch and prepare to laugh your a%* off. Lots of twists and unexpected stuff here.

Disfuntional Pure Gold

[gfatlantis · 10/10 · 19 September 2015]

Bernard Black, a paranoid, brooding, wine loving cynic running a small public bookshop. Fran, the best friend...wine loving and love starved. Manny, store assistant with a helpful spirit. The trio all deliver their own comedy in perfect balance with each other. I love how this show displays the glaring defects in each of them, yet underneath you can see what holds them all together and keeps them going.

For me, watching this show is like settling down in a comfortable nook and...reading a book. The main set itself is like small, hermit-like wooden paneled cave. Yet there takes place so much chaos.

The guest appearances are alone worth a watch, featuring actors such as Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Rob Brydon, Martin Freeman, and many more.

So check it out!

Review based on watching the first 3 episodes: A mildly entertaining British comedy series revolving around an obnoxious, drunk who runs a book store.

[warrenmarsh · 6/10 · 11 May 2013]

Review based on watching the first 3 episodes: A mildly entertaining British comedy series revolving around an obnoxious, drunk who runs a book store. Part way through the 3rd episode in season 1, we, (me and my wife) had to stop watching because chores became more interesting by comparison.

It is not that we didn't get a few laughs or that the material was dated. It was just a touch to mediocre and predictable, perhaps I needed a drink myself to make it more palatable.

I suggest you watch "The IT Crowd" if you are looking for something of this ilk, or maybe it is time for another re-watch of the Black Adder series!

Grumpy but Great

[nicolahall-58251 · 10/10 · 18 November 2019]

I always thought I was a grumpy customer service assistant but then I met Bernard Black! Bernard is the grumpy, rude and often drunk proprietor of Black Books... He and his assistant Manny and neighbour Fran get up to loads of different everyday activities that usually end in diasater...

Dylan Moran is hilarious as Bernard and Bill Bailey and Tamsin Grieg bounce off him tremendously! You would necr think that working in a bookshop would fraught with such hilarity... Definitely worth a watch! One of my favourites...

Of varying quality, but gives a good laugh

[tinytots2 · 7/10 · 9 December 2021]

The dynamic between the trio of the cynical cantankerous bookshop owner Bernard, his good-natured bullied assistant Manny, and his man-hunting friend Fran, are what drives this quirky British sitcom. Excellently written and acted, and aided by marvellous cameo appearances, there are many memorable hilarious scenes across the short runtime of the show with only 3 seasons of 6 episodes each.

The series is however rather up-and-down - some episodes are fantastic while others are forgettable. There are also moments where the irritability of the lead character can be disquieting rather than comical with the Bernard-Manny relationship making for rather unpleasant viewing at times. I also wish there was more evolution of the character personalities and relationships through the show's course, and a defined finale would have also been beneficial.

In conclusion, Black Books has engaging plots, contrasting larger-than-life personalities, and a faithful representation of its setting in a seedy second-hand bookshop. The humour mightn't be for everyone, but for those who appreciate irreverent British satire, Black Books will be right up their alley.

Mediocre, but watchable

[Emberweave · 4/10 · 12 January 2019]

Graham Linehan, a co-creator of the hilarious sitcom "Father Ted", has basically taken the "Father Jack" character from that show, made him younger, and put him in a bookstore in England. It doesn't really work. That behavior is funny for a supporting/side character, but in the lead character it quickly becomes tedious and monotonous. I rented this because of Tamsin Grieg and Bill Bailey and they are fine in their performances. The scripts have moments of really funny dialogue, but it's inconsistent. It's sort of half-assed creativity. The show is watchable, though, so if you don't have anything else better to view it helps pass twenty-two minutes.