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 not more to this...there are dark, surreal and subtle layers 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 and sarcastic personality is always welcome in British comedy in my humble opinion (which is always right).
Bill Bailey proves that not only is he one of the finest stand-up comics on the scene today he can do comic acting to a high standard too. Not something you see a lot of unfortunately.
At under £20 for the 3 disc box set, pound for pound you don't get many more laughs. I'd strongly recommend if you like British comedy you'll struggle to find it more British and more consistent that here.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Director: Gareth Carrivick - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kathryn Drysdale, Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey, Will Mellor, Ralf Little
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
Soho_Black 09.09.2006 12:45
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" in the top right of the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
mattyexpress 21.08.2006 10:23
I couldn't agree with you more - black books is possibly the finest comedy series of the last decade (next to Darkplace of course!) and your review is exceptional for one so new to ciao! Welcome aboard shipmate!
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![Black Books Complete Box Set [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78489160.jpg "Black Books Complete Box Set [DVD]")
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