Black Books

For those of you, like me, who didn't watch Black Books when it had its first run on Channel 4 between 2000 and 2004, well, you missed a little cracker.

Created by Dylan Moran and Graham Linehan, Black Books is a small scale, low budget sit-com centered on Bernard Black (played by Moran) and his unique bookshop, the aforementioned Black Books in the heart of Bloomsbury. Bernard's closest friend, Fran (Tamsin Grieg), owns a trendy gift shop next door selling, as she describes it, a "load of wank". This changes at the end of series two when Goliath Books moves in. Finishing off the central trio of the cast is the ever superb Bill Bailey as Manny, a former accountant who by sheer luck ends up as Bernard's assistant in the shop and the perfect foil to Moran (Manny's surname is Bianco, just to confirm the point).

Bernard hates the world and pretty much everyone in it, especially customers, who always seem to interrupt his drinking, smoking and reading. Manny and Fran try many different ways to get Bernard to change his view of the world, whilst he resolutely ignores every attempt made to do so.

The show lasted three six-episode series and benefits, like that great sit-com of the 1970's, Flowery Twats, of a limited run and very tight scripting. Less is definitely more. At the same time, the show managed to get pretty much a who's who of British comedy at the time to star. Kevin Eldon, Simon Pegg, Keith Allan, Martin Freeman, Nick Frost, Sam Kelly (klop!) and Peter Seranifowicz are just a handful of the guest stars. Some may only have a couple of lines but they all bring their best to the show.

Black Books combines word play and physical comedy, the latter coming most from Bailey who is on fine form. He also bears the brunt of Bernard's scathing barbs, a running gag concerning Bailey's appearance; Hawkwind, Gandalf and Jesus are just some of the names he gets tagged with. He also provides some of the most surreal moments of the show, the first episode, after swallowing the Little Book of Calm being a prime example.

Greig gives and takes as good as Bailey though, adding a layer of neurosis to Fran that breaks the surface at all of the wrong times. She has some good standout moments too, especially with a school friend hen party. She doesn't have much luck with men, despite trying her best but fate always seems to intervene.

It is Moran, however, that holds the show together, whether surrounded by a fog of cigarette smoke, knocking back the wine or just being plain unpleasant to people in general. He gives the show its icy/flinty heart and never lets go. He personifies the "don't give a shit" attitude and despite his friend's best efforts (and the feelings of friendship and paternity he has towards Fran and Manny respectively), he is never going to change.

Picking stand out episodes out of the eighteen made is difficult as there isn't a bad one among them. True, some are better than others but even the weakest is still good. However, I'll have go:

Series One:

Grapes of Wrath - having to leave the shop as it needs to be cleaned (by Kevin Eldon, "Dirty!"), Bernard and Manny agree to house sit for a friend of Bernard's. They can drink any of the cheap wine but none of the special vintage that the friend will give to the Pope. Well, they drink one of the vintage wines and spend an hysterical five minutes of the show re-inventing the wine. It is a perfect homage to every Frankenstein film ever made, completed perfectly by the under-played punchline at the end of the episode.

He's Leaving Home - the final episode of the first series, Manny leaves the shop as he is tired of the abuse he is receiving and ends up being exploited by an adult photographer (Omid Djalili). Surreal doesn't begin to describe what happens, and whilst Manny does end up materially better, morally he is in a much worse place. Suffice to say, he does return, but watch out for the final shot of the item that falls out of Manny's pocket.

Series Two:

The Entertainer - kicking off series two with style, this episode focuses on Fran learning to play the piano. Nether she, nor Bernard can, but Manny's ability, and their lies, end up with Manny inside the piano whilst Fran brags to a trio of blind Russian musicians and Bernard shows off to a woman he fancies. Bailey carries off the episode brilliantly, giving a manic yet resigned performance.

Hello Sun - the yoga episode where Fran takes up a healthier lifestyle with friend Eva (Jessica Hynes). Despite her best efforts, the controlling Eva puts too many limitations on Fran. That and a second plot where Bernard starts diagnosing Manny using Freud intertwine is a great way.

Series Three:

Manny Come Home - the series opener where Goliath Books has opened next door (led by manager Simon Pegg) and Manny has left Bernard to work there. This is a sublime episode, Pegg bringing an eerie seriousness to his role. What really got me about this episode was the management speak used by Pegg's character. If you work in any job using current management practices, you'll find this episode both funny and disturbing, in that whilst the show takes the mickey out of the whole "smile and you will enjoy it" attitude as you get to do really crappy jobs and change your personality to fit the corporate template, the real world has changed. It demonstrates that what was almost a fad fifteen years ago has now become standard practice in the modern workplace, at least having asked a few friends. The show took another swing at management speak in series two (The Fixer) and hit a boundary with that too. I'll say no more, so as not to spoil the show or get myself into too much trouble! Oh, and the picture of what Manny should look like in the workplace!!!

Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa - where we get to meet Manny's parents (Annette Crosbie and the forever brilliant Sam Kelly (klop!)). The best part of this episode, outside of Manny's fibs to his parents as to how his life is going, is the restaurant scene where, to get away from the conversation, both Bernard and Fran hide under the table and find a cocktail bar ready for them. Surreal as hell, yes, but also brilliantly funny.

One of the extras on the DVD copy of Black Books I watched were the out-takes for each series. Watching those was as funny as the show itself and definitely gives the impression that the show was a hoot to make and that every member of the cast enjoyed themselves immensely (Crosbie dropping the F bomb is a sight to behold). As a sign of how times have changed, I don't think Black Books could be made in the current climate, the amount of alcohol and smoking would guarantee a hissy fit from any of the major TV networks these days, even Channel Four. And yet, if you get the chance, give it a go. Each episode is only 25 minutes long and it doesn't take too long to get through a series. As I said above, the scripting is tight and the characterisations spot on. Highly recommended.