oscar-35 *Spoiler/plot- Black Books, 2000. A snide disgruntled Irish X-pat owns a bookstore and surround himself with other cynical friends who vent on all around them to produce comedy.*Special Stars- Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig.*Theme- Dysfunctional people in a local English books store are very funny to laugh at.*Trivia/location/goofs- The star is writer and producer of this series. British TV series, 18 episodes. Half hour.*Emotion- This show is a dark humor, but real human personality based show. Clever writing and excellent performances make this show a little gem and should not be missed for dry British comedy fans.

Paul Magne Haakonsen 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.

PaulBerriman9 This comedy with Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tasmin Grieg is one not to be missed. It is truly hilarious, with not only great one-liners but also farce elements. The character of Bernard Black is played superbly by Moran and plays beautifully off Fran (Grieg) and Manny (Bailey). One of the best British comedies, from Graham Lineham, who also wrote Father Ted and The IT Crowd. It is a pity there are only three series of this wonderfully smart, witty and laugh-out-loud show. Each story is full of great moments, but it is the character from which the comedy stems. The direction and writing are superb and the acting by the main cast is outstanding.

Master Cultist Brilliantly eccentric British comedy focusing on the antics of three so-called friends in London.Bernard Black is a book shop owner, a man so riddled with neurosis and hatred of humanity that he is utterly incapable of functioning in day to day life. Constantly angered by the presence of customers in his shop - he simply can't understand why they keep on bothering him for books, even though he chooses to run a bookshop - he is kept in check by the ministrations of his only friend Fran, and his single employee Manny, played with relish by the wonderful BIll Bailey.Surreal plot lines, acid fuelled humour and a great chemistry between the three leads adds up to a comedic master piece.Seldom does visual comedy make me so much as smile, but this show even manages that, with wonderfully bizarre visual gags to compliment the viciously sharp scripts.The series takes a slight dip in series 3, although this is only down to the relentlessly high standards set by the first two, and I for one am glad that they put it out of its misery before its reputation was tarnished.A fantastic addition to the comedy canon, highly recommend to fans of such fare as Blackadder and Peep Show.Enjoy.