TV Show

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.

TV Show Stats +8%

3 seasons

18 episodes total

Status

Ended

First Aired

2000

Rating

TV Show

8.1/10

551 votes • HD

Season 1

6 episodes
View All Episodes
Cooking the Books
Episode 1

Cooking the Books

Episode 1 • Sep 29, 2000

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.

7.9
0m
Manny's First Day
Episode 2

Manny's First Day

Episode 2 • Oct 06, 2000

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.

8.2
0m
Grapes of Wrath
Episode 3

Grapes of Wrath

Episode 3 • Oct 13, 2000

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

7.9
0m
The Blackout
Episode 4

The Blackout

Episode 4 • Oct 20, 2000

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

7.5
0m
The Big Lock-Out
Episode 5

The Big Lock-Out

Episode 5 • Oct 27, 2000

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

8.0
0m
He's Leaving Home
Episode 6

He's Leaving Home

Episode 6 • Nov 03, 2000

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

7.2
0m

Season 2

6 episodes
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The Entertainer
Episode 1

The Entertainer

Episode 1 • Mar 01, 2002

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.

7.6
0m
Fever
Episode 2

Fever

Episode 2 • Mar 08, 2002

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".

7.7
25m
The Fixer
Episode 3

The Fixer

Episode 3 • Mar 15, 2002

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.

7.4
0m
Blood
Episode 4

Blood

Episode 4 • Mar 22, 2002

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.

7.2
0m
Hello Sun
Episode 5

Hello Sun

Episode 5 • Mar 29, 2002

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.

7.4
0m
A Nice Change
Episode 6

A Nice Change

Episode 6 • Apr 05, 2002

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

6.9
0m

Season 3

6 episodes
View All Episodes
Manny Come Home
Episode 1

Manny Come Home

Episode 1 • Mar 11, 2004

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.

7.7
0m
Elephants and Hens
Episode 2

Elephants and Hens

Episode 2 • Mar 18, 2004

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.

8.2
0m
Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa
Episode 3

Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa

Episode 3 • Mar 25, 2004

Manny's parents visit the shop for the weekend, and the lies he's told them throw Fran and Bernard's lives into chaos.

7.7
0m
A Little Flutter
Episode 4

A Little Flutter

Episode 4 • Apr 01, 2004

Bernard becomes addicted to gambling and forces Manny and Fran to compete for one job at the shop in order to finance his bets.

7.5
0m
Travel Writer
Episode 5

Travel Writer

Episode 5 • Apr 08, 2004

Fran & Manny become enamored with a dashing travel writer giving a talk at the shop, while Bernard contends with a most unorthodox new landlord.

7.3
0m
Party
Episode 6

Party

Episode 6 • Apr 15, 2004

Manny and Fran drag Bernard along with them to a party, but the drunken aftermath dredges up secrets and bitterness.

7.7
0m