Black Books

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.

Comedy

Seasons

1. Cooking the Books

Air Date: 2000-09-29

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.

2. Manny's First Day

Air Date: 2000-10-06

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.

3. Grapes of Wrath

Air Date: 2000-10-13

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

4. The Blackout

Air Date: 2000-10-20

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

5. The Big Lock-Out

Air Date: 2000-10-27

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

6. He's Leaving Home

Air Date: 2000-11-03

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

1. The Entertainer

Air Date: 2002-03-01

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.

2. Fever

Air Date: 2002-03-08

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".

3. The Fixer

Air Date: 2002-03-15

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.

4. Blood

Air Date: 2002-03-22

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.

5. Hello Sun

Air Date: 2002-03-29

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.

6. A Nice Change

Air Date: 2002-04-05

When construction starts next door to the shop, Manni, Bernard and Fran try to decide what to do while it continues.

1. Manny Come Home

Air Date: 2004-03-11

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.

2. Elephants and Hens

Air Date: 2004-03-18

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.