A tv show review by: Lee Sonogan

(2000-2004) 25mins/Comedy, sitcom

Bernard: [hangover] No Doctors! Doctors are Satanists! That’s why they write Ambulance backwards.

Bernard, the main character is inspired by a real bookshop owner in Dublin, who Dylan Moran described as “He looks like he’s swallowed a cup of sour milk and peed himself at the same time. He has this green bilious expression, years of displeasure have shaped his face,”. Dylan Moran created this show and also stared in it. To be in someone’s ‘black books’ is to have fallen out of favour with them.

Dylan Moran also played a bookshop shoplifter in Notting Hill made in 1999. Manny’s last name, Bianco is Italian for ‘white’ while being the counterpart to Bernard Black. Manny played by Bill Bailey was originally going to be Jewish. Fran a different character in the show, played by Tamsin Greig was pregnant during the filming of season one.

With only 18 episodes out, I wish there was more of it. These days, there are fewer and fewer bookshops out there. The character Bernard loves that. The comedy of the show shows the true nature of its business in the most perfect way. Characters in it make Bernard go insane and you get the laughs you deserve. I recommend this tv show to everyone who likes sitcom comedy or comedy from England.

Bernard: The little man in my hair is getting very annoyed.

 PS – This is one of the few shows I will re-watch because it is that good!

Classic work of art! Slapstick redefined with nihilism, Bernard Black is definitely a character, complimented perfectly by the colorful Manny (Bill Bailey). Makes me wanna grab a bottle of wine every time. This, Peep Show and Spaced are on top of my all time favorite UK comedy for sure. – Bab Arce (Google Review)

 7.85/10