Black Books is a second-hand bookshop in London run by an Irishman named Bernard Black. He is probably the planet's worst-suited person to run such an establishment: he makes no effort to sell, closes at strange hours on a whim, is in a perpetual alcoholic stupor, abhors his customers (sometimes physically abusing them) and is often comatose at his desk. Help comes in the lumpy shape of Manny Bianco, a hairy, bumbling individual who (almost by osmosis) becomes Bernard's assistant. Manny is not exactly great at the job either but he is a million times better than Bernard. Next door is Fran, an anxious, frustrated woman who runs a sort of new-age shop selling the most unlikely bits of arty junk. Fran is friends with Bernard and, through him, with Manny; together the trio become embroiled in escapades that are sometimes extreme or violent or fantastically ludicrous, and always bizarre.
When his dodgy accountant goes on the run, Bernard has to fill in his own tax return, which isn't easy when you're mathematically illiterate. Perhaps some sort of crippling injury is the way out?
Bernard, having offered Manny the job while he was drunk, does his best to get rid of his new charge by offering him a one-day trial. Is this suspiciously modern-looking assistant up to scratch?
The discomforting presence in the bookshop of an oddly sensual cleaner forces Bernard and Manny to accept a house-sitting job, where they drink an unbelievably expensive bottle of wine
Manny gets hyper after a night of drinking too many espressos and watching an entire box-set of The Sweeney, and is mistaken for a policeman when he gives high-speed chase to a bagsnatcher
When a new security system that neither Bernard nor Manny can operate is installed in the shop, Bernard ends up locked out for the evening, while Manny is locked in
Manny becomes a runaway when Bernard's relentless bossiness gets too much for him. But life is tough on the street, so when a photographer offers him a place to stay he's happy to take up the offer.
Fran takes up piano. Bernard falls in love. Manny just wants a break. But genius finds no rest as Fran lies to a sweet old blind man and Bernard deceives his adoring public.
Fran can't sleep in the heat. Bernard needs a girlfriend to stop him staring. And Manny is worried about the reliability of his magic hot water bottle.
Manny uses his underworld connections to find Fran mysterious employment; so mysterious that she has no idea what she is doing. In return Bernard and Manny just have to educate a psychopath.
Manny defects to a swish new bookshop next door run by a super-efficient manager (Simon Pegg), and when Fran returns from holiday, she finds the shop a hovel and Bernard completely gone to seed
It's International Children's Book Week. Bernard and Manny reckon they can do better than the trash children are offered these days, so they decide to write a kids' classic and retire, Rowling-rich.
Complete episode guide for Black Books with detailed information about every season and episode including air dates, summaries, ratings, and streaming availability in United States.
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Unemployed and restless, Fran takes comfort in the discovery of her exotic new-found cousins. And in pursuit of Michelin stars Manny and Bernard transform the infested bookshop into a restaurant.
Fran tries to discover her inner karma at the advice of her disapproving friend Eva. Meanwhile, Bernard finds positive proof that Manny is mad.
Bernard and Manny can't hear themselves argue because of the builders next door. Fran suggests a holiday. But how will the three of them fare when they attempt to venture abroad together?
Manny's parents come to stay. Bernard wants rid of them, preferably the day before yesterday. And Fran is rather grumpy about pretending to be Manny's girlfriend to corroborate Manny's letters home.
Manny puts a bet on the Grand National for Bernard, who says he's not interested in gambling but immediately becomes addicted, and has to exploit Fran and Manny so he can replenish his dwindling funds
Manny organises a travel writing festival but has a jealous rage when Fran is captivated by the twinkling eyes and lavish hair of famously charming explorer Jason Hamilton (Julian Rhind-Tutt)
It's Friday night. Manny and Fran want to go out. Bernard wants to stay in, get drunk and ignore his friends. And if Manny dares to use 'party' as a verb, Bernard won't be responsible for his actions.