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.
The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.
Dylan Moran
Bernard
Bill Bailey
Manny
Now playing Season 1, Episode 5 — The Big Lock-Out
September 29, 2000
3
18
8.1
Dylan Moran, Graham Linehan
N/A
Season 1 • 6 episodes
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.
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.
Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine.
A hyper, coffee fueled Manny is mistaken for a policeman.
The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.
Manny runs away from the bookshop into the arms of a beard loving photographer.
Channel 4 Television
GB
Assembly Film and Television
N/A
Big Talk Studios
GB
Tamsin Greig
Fran
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