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Black Books

25min

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.

Production Companies

Channel 4 Television

Assembly Film and Television

Big Talk Studios

Episodes

Cast

Season 1

Cooking the Books

1. Cooking the Books

29th Sep 2000

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.

Manny's First Day

2. Manny's First Day

6th Oct 2000

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.

Grapes of Wrath

3. Grapes of Wrath

13th Oct 2000

Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine.

The Blackout

4. The Blackout

20th Oct 2000

A hyper, coffee fueled Manny is mistaken for a policeman.

The Big Lock-Out

5. The Big Lock-Out

27th Oct 2000

The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.

He's Leaving Home

6. He's Leaving Home

3rd Nov 2000

Manny runs away from the bookshop into the arms of a beard loving photographer.

First air date

29th Sep 2000

Last air date

15th Apr 2004

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks