Black Books - The Complete Series 1-3 (Box Set)

Advantages: Hilariously Funny
Disadvantages: Sometimes Far fetched, cant think of too many disadvantages

...many hours of play for the same price as a newly released movie. I would recommend this to anyone who is or was a fan of Father Ted, the IT crowd (both from the same creative team as Black Books), Spaced, or who has a dry sense of humour. ... Read review

Advantages: absolutely hilarious, and some great acting!
Disadvantages: have experienced none

This collection of episodes are among the funniest I have ever seen, with comedians, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey, they work well together as a comedy double act, with Tamsin Grieg joining as a third party to add to the fun. The Plot The story revolves around the bookshop (Black Books) where Bernard (the shopkeeper, played by Dylan Moran) has a habit of hugely disliking his customers, but all of a sudden, Manny, (played by Bill Bailey) with his ...
...by a very intoxicated Bernard. Fran, who owns the shop next door immediately likes Manny, and becomes a firm friend, much to Bernards distain! Each episode is another comedy filled day inside the four walls of the bookshop. The Characters Each of the characters have their own special habits and style of acting with the others, which gives each episode a fairly repetitive streak, however, this , in my experience, has not made them boring, or sameish, ... Read review

Advantages: Hours of entertainment
Disadvantages: You loose great chunks of your life

I loved Black Books from its first outing on TV which seemed to slip under the radar undetected by most. Simply a very witty and clever comedy performed by two of the best stand ups our time has seen supported by some rather average acting at times by Tamsin Greig (a face suited to radio, funny that, what with her being in the archers and all...) Obvious jokes in places only add to the joy of the simplicity to the humour but don't think there is ...
...to this comedy which'll keep you're hardened comedy youth as well as your mother laughing (my mum being living proof). The stories of each episode are always an interesting and diverse to say the least not that far from the journeys of our travellers Vince and Howard in the Mighty Boosh although somewhat closer to home. Those who enjoyed faulty towers will no doubt find similar enjoyment in Dylan Moran's character Bernard, the over stressed bitter ... Read review

Advantages: Witty, Cleverly thought out comedy
Disadvantages: No series 4!

...Black books was originally featured on Channel 4. Not one of the most commonly known comedies broadcast, it is a fantastic, witty and surreal program. Second-hand bookshop owner, Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), employs Manny (Bill Bailey) to work in his shop. Black is a highly eccentric, alchoholic chainsmoker - he doesn't like customer's ironically! Another character featured is friend of Manny & Bernard, Fran (Tamsin Greig). She is an unusual person - strange thoughts and views on life, enhanced by her relationship to Bernard. This DVD contains 3 disc - the extras include outtakes, pictures, and lots of other hilarious stuff. It is a classic british comedy that deserves to be watched. It compares closely to Father Ted, or Spaced. A genius production showing classic british comedy. RATED - 15 RUN TIME - 426 Mins... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great script, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey make a fantastic, witty double act.
Disadvantages: The character Fran

...I really love this show. Despite it being a well-written original comedy, not many people seem to have heard of it, (its maybe not crude/vulgar enough for a late-night channel 4 schedule) which makes you feel like you really are watching a bit of a gem. I would compare this to Father Ted, and can guarantee if you were a fan of that, you will definately love this. It centres around a second hand bookshop owned by the grouchy Bernard Black (Moran), his genial, happy to help assistant manny (Bailey) and their bloody annoying next door neighbour Fran (Tamsin Greig). The comedy as delightful, and proves you don't have to constantly swear to get laughs (although a bit of over the top Vic and Bob-esque violence between Bernard and Manny is always welcome!) Just a lovely show.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Never fails to raise a laugh, or at least a giggle..
Disadvantages: very few extras :(

...Written by Dylan Moran & Graham Linehem. Running Time: 142 minutes. Extras: Cast Commentary Out-Takes Photo Gallery Series 2 Teaser Trailer Ever since the first episode of this quaint little dark comedy aired on Channel 4 i have been glued to my TV screen. it stars Dylan Moran as Bernard Black, proprieter of "Black Books", a man who loves his books, and hates his customers. a man who believes in waking in the afternoons, drinking in the mornings, and the old motto "the customer is always wrong". Then there's manny, an accountant born again when he swallows the little book of calm, and somehow ingests its knowledge overnight. he arrives at the bookstore and after being saved from skinheads by a desperate Bernard, begins to work at the shop to repay his debts. Finally there is Fran, the only woman to get close to Bernards heart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful