Black Books

Black Books

Ended First aired 29/Sep/2000 United Kingdom English 4 season(s) 31 episode(s)
Comedy
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.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 3 · Season 3
6 episode(s) · Air date: 11/Mar/2004
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Season Overview

Bernard Black is back for a third season of his multi-award winning and critically acclaimed comedy. Black Books continues to explore the musing and time-wasting techniques of raddled proprietor Bernard Black, his shy, multi-challenged assistant Manny Bianco and their underachieving friend Fran Katzenjammer.

Season Overview

Bernard Black is back for a third season of his multi-award winning and critically acclaimed comedy. Black Books continues to explore the musing and time-wasting techniques of raddled proprietor Bernard Black, his shy, multi-challenged assistant Manny Bianco and their underachieving friend Fran Katzenjammer.

S3E5
Travel Writer
Air date: 08/Apr/2004 · Runtime: 24 min
Summary

Fran & Manny become enamored with a dashing travel writer giving a talk at the shop, while Bernard contends with a most unorthodox new landlord.

Summary

Fran & Manny become enamored with a dashing travel writer giving a talk at the shop, while Bernard contends with a most unorthodox new landlord.

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S3E2
Elephants and Hens
Air date: 18/Mar/2004 · Runtime: 23 min
Summary

When Bernard holds a children's themed book day in the shop, Fran bets Manni and Bernard they couldn't write a children's book over a weekend, while Bernard bets Fran back that she will have an awful time at her friend's hen party.

Summary

When Bernard holds a children's themed book day in the shop, Fran bets Manni and Bernard they couldn't write a children's book over a weekend, while Bernard bets Fran back that she will have an awful time at her friend's hen party.

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S3E1
Manny Come Home
Air date: 11/Mar/2004 · Runtime: 25 min
Summary

When Manny defects to Goliath Books after an "incident" with Bernard, his ex-employer's life spirals out of control. Meanwhile Fran returns from holiday only to be greeted by the squalor of Bernard's shop.

Summary

When Manny defects to Goliath Books after an "incident" with Bernard, his ex-employer's life spirals out of control. Meanwhile Fran returns from holiday only to be greeted by the squalor of Bernard's shop.

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Season 2 · Season 2
6 episode(s) · Air date: 01/Mar/2002
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Season Overview

In season two, Bernard is convinced the Manny is mad; Manny worries about the reliability of his magic hot water bottle and uses his underworld connections to help find Fran a job. Fran struggles to find her inner karma in-between trying to find her cigarettes and making excuses to have another drink. Under the constant threat from the nasty, unfeeling outside world, Bernard, Manny and Fran attempt to maintain the heaven of the bookshop even as their own relentless stupidity pushes them towards mayhem.

Season Overview

In season two, Bernard is convinced the Manny is mad; Manny worries about the reliability of his magic hot water bottle and uses his underworld connections to help find Fran a job. Fran struggles to find her inner karma in-between trying to find her cigarettes and making excuses to have another drink. Under the constant threat from the nasty, unfeeling outside world, Bernard, Manny and Fran attempt to maintain the heaven of the bookshop even as their own relentless stupidity pushes them towards mayhem.

S2E5
Hello Sun
Air date: 29/Mar/2002 · Runtime: 24 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S2E4
Blood
Air date: 22/Mar/2002 · Runtime: 23 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S2E3
The Fixer
Air date: 15/Mar/2002 · Runtime: 23 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S2E2
Fever
Air date: 08/Mar/2002 · Runtime: 24 min
Summary

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".

Summary

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".

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S2E1
The Entertainer
Air date: 01/Mar/2002 · Runtime: 24 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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Season 1 · Season 1
6 episode(s) · Air date: 29/Sep/2000
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Season Overview

Meet Bernard Black, a foul tempered and eccentric bookshop owner who loves his books but hates his customers. Manny is Bernard's long-suffering assistant and Fran is the owner of the gift shop next door to Black Books. Black Books explores Manny and Fran's efforts to ensure Bernard has some contact with the outside world and charts the comical consequences of their efforts.

Season Overview

Meet Bernard Black, a foul tempered and eccentric bookshop owner who loves his books but hates his customers. Manny is Bernard's long-suffering assistant and Fran is the owner of the gift shop next door to Black Books. Black Books explores Manny and Fran's efforts to ensure Bernard has some contact with the outside world and charts the comical consequences of their efforts.

S1E2
Manny's First Day
Air date: 06/Oct/2000 · Runtime: 23 min
Summary

After Manny’s help with the tax return Bernard is persuaded to hire him in the shop. Unfortunately he actually sells some books, much to Bernard’s annoyance.

Summary

After Manny’s help with the tax return Bernard is persuaded to hire him in the shop. Unfortunately he actually sells some books, much to Bernard’s annoyance.

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S1E1
Cooking the Books
Air date: 29/Sep/2000 · Runtime: 22 min
Summary

Bernard’s dodgy accountant has to go on the run, leaving him ill prepared to fill out his own tax return. In fact Bernard would rather do anything than fill it out.

Summary

Bernard’s dodgy accountant has to go on the run, leaving him ill prepared to fill out his own tax return. In fact Bernard would rather do anything than fill it out.

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Season 0 · Specials
13 episode(s) · Air date: 30/Apr/2000
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Season Overview

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S0E5
Bernard's Letter
Air date: 30/Apr/2004
Summary

The reply that a typically furious Bernard writes to the editor of a publishing firm after they refuse to publish the novel that he had spent the entire weekend writing.

Summary

The reply that a typically furious Bernard writes to the editor of a publishing firm after they refuse to publish the novel that he had spent the entire weekend writing.

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S0E4
Black Dolls
Air date: 30/Apr/2002
Summary

A doll-version of Black Books in which Fran takes Manny into the real world where she feeds him drugs and grapes. Manny eventually decides that the real world is too tough for him, and after a 'talk' from Bernard he promises to stay in the shop.

Summary

A doll-version of Black Books in which Fran takes Manny into the real world where she feeds him drugs and grapes. Manny eventually decides that the real world is too tough for him, and after a 'talk' from Bernard he promises to stay in the shop.

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Cast

Main cast members.

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Dylan Moran
Dylan Moran
Bernard
Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey
Manny
Tamsin Greig
Tamsin Greig
Fran
Keith Allen
Keith Allen
Dave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
Craig Parkinson
Craig Parkinson
Martin the Tout
No Photo
Jiggy Bhore
Light Holiday Customer
Justin Edwards
Justin Edwards
Poker Customer
No Photo
Su Elliot
Betting Clerk
No Photo
Jane Janovic
American Customer's Wife
No Photo
Steve Lately
Poker Player
No Photo
Huggy Leaver
Poker Player
Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman
Doctor
Kevin Eldon
Kevin Eldon
Cleaner
No Photo
Chris Larner
Freddie
Omid Djalili
Omid Djalili
Trebor
David Walliams
David Walliams
Customer
No Photo
Sophie Stanton
Policewoman
No Photo
Mark Aiken
Ben

Crew

Creators, directors, writers, and production crew.

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No Photo
Dennis De Groot
Production Design
No Photo
Jess Kitley
Property Buyer
Andy Hollis
Andy Hollis
Director of Photography
No Photo
John Rosenberg
Director of Photography
Annie Hardinge
Annie Hardinge
Costume Design
Dylan Moran
Dylan Moran
Creator, Writer
Graham Linehan
Graham Linehan
Creator, Director, Writer
No Photo
Martin Dennis
Director
No Photo
Nick Wood
Director
No Photo
Nick Ames
Editor
Paul Machliss
Paul Machliss
Editor
No Photo
Peter Phillips
Other

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