Black books is about a book store owner called Bernard black (Dylan moran) who loves books and drink and hate time wasting customers. He shares his love for drink with his best friend Fran who owns the shop next door called nifty gifty filled with new objects which she hasnt got a clue about. Also Bernards accountant, or should i say dogs body manny joins the gang to make an addictive comedy Series 1 : The first series is really good, it has a perfect balance of everything. It starts with the first few episodes which help to settle its audience with a good basis of the charachters whilst retaining hilarious plots. However the laughter in the background may seem irritating at fist but as you become settled into the series youll forget its there. Black books has a tendancy to also be kinda random, which i think is marvellous and allows a nice break within the series. Overall i think the first series was a good start to a consistent and funny comedy.This series also features nick frost in episode 5 as a security fitter and the guy who plays the paper boy in spaced as a cashier and the man who plays dwayne in spaced. Im bad with names
However i would say that the laughter may put people off initially, but if you stick with it, im sure it will be less apparent.This also features the usual special features such as gallery, outtakes etc. Series 2 : Now personally i also really like this, the gang are still together, everything seems its usual self, this series also features Jessica stephenson as a yoga lady in episode 5 (hello sun) , hehe. Erm this series is a good series and is consistent in comedic value, obviously it is not as good as the first in some respects but i feel you find that with anything.im sure however if you enjoyed series 1,then you will love this series. Again, there is laughing. This also features the usual special features such as gallery, outtakes etc.
Series 3: This is a good series, however compared to 1 and 2 its not as good as them, but it is still marvellous. Manny at first has left to join the goliath books shop next door to black books. Bernard has a mad obsession which consists of viewing manny. Mannys crazy boss, a.k.a Simon pegg is a great addition to this episode which im sure you will enjoy. The rest of the series also has lucy benjamin and Olivia Colman a.ka. sophie in peep show. I think this series is alot less like the others, but still retains the charming charachter its built up. I noticed on the special features is that the gallery is like a montage and is built up in an artistic manner. Its not particulary my taste as i enjoy being able to glance at leasure but it may appeal to others. I guess maybe this series was kinda typical of trilogys of comedies. I mean shows kinda decline at times in comparison to the first series but overall still great to watch.
Is it worth buying?
Now this is kinda hard to say, i know many people who like black books. I think however it is well worth buying, if you like comedies such as spaced etc, then im sure you will love this topical alternative comedy, with its quirky appeal. Seperately you can get series 1 for £8.99, series 2 for £10.49 and series 3 for £13.99 all from play.com, however you can get series 2 for £9.99 from music zone or check ebay for deals. However if you want to buy the boxset this is available from play.com and is £29.99 with free delivery which contains all 3 series. Erm...i think thats all for prices. However again, i would suggest looking on ebay for any better prices.
Also a great page to find quotes is http://oriole.onewaystreet.nu/blackbooks/
Hopefully that was okay.
