The bookstore that wasn’t….
Started re-watching Black Books again – what a weird, twisted and funny series. If any of you have seen either of the Simon Pegg comedies Shaun of the Dead or the more recent Run Fatboy Run – you will recognize Dylan Moran as the crazed Irishman in both – but in BB, he’s the star. He plays Bernard, (effectively) a sociopath who owns a bookstore but hates customers and wants to be simply left alone to smoke, read, and drink wine all day. His friend Fran (Tamsin Greig) minds the gift store next store and alternatively joins in the craziness/smacks Bernard upside the head when he’s gone too far. The always funny Bill Bailey plays Manny the assistant/comedic straight man to Bernard.
It took **way** too long for this series to come out on DVD (originally saw it on a business trip to London back in 2000) but now that it’s finally here, it was definitely worth the wait. Surprised it hasn’t made it to PBS to follow other BBC classics such as Monty Python and Black Adder (my fave being by far B.A. the 3rd – if you want to see Hugh Laurie a.k.a. House, in one of his most ridiculous roles as the stupid German prince, Black Adder 3 is a must watch). But Black Books is probably on the ruder and more anti-social side vs the other two, so likely more an acquired taste. If you like Conan, Letterman, or The Simpsons – you will probably like Black Books, too.
Just one thing to remember – don’t put The Little Book of Calm anywhere NEAR your soup mug! 🙂
candybowl