Review of Black Books: Series Three

Introduction

Black Books returns for a third season, broadcast on Channel 4 in 2004. For some reason this season didn`t grip me when broadcast on TV and I missed most of the episodes. Having enjoyed the first 2 seasons I wanted to give it another go on DVD.

Bernard Black (Dylan Moran) runs Black Books, but is probably the worst proprietor ever, ably assisted by Manny (the always funny Bill Bailey). Fran (Tamsin Greig) used to own the shop next door but has sold up and now just hangs around the book shop all day. The third season breaks down like this:-

Manny Come Home

Manny leaves to work next door at Goliath Books, run by the wonderfully manic Simon Pegg as the epitome of the evil corporate book shop manager.

Elephants And Hens

Bernard and Manny decide to try and write a children`s book to make themselves some money. Fran goes off to a hen weekend, for lots of drunken confessions with some of the best British comedy acting talent (Lucy Davis & Olivia Colman).

Moo-Ma And Moo-Pa

Many has been exagerrating to his parents about his job and lifestyle, and Bernard and Fran have to go along with it in order to keep up the charade.

A Little Flutter

Bernard becomes addicted to gambling after a bet on the National, and soon gets drawn into a seedy underworld of high stakes poker, after Fran teaches him the rules. Maybe her knowledge might save him from a knee-capping...

The Travel Writer

Manny organises a travel writing seminar in the shop, inviting a legendary adventurer to address the attendees. The regulars all compete for his affections.

Party

Everyone is bored and seeking Friday night entertainment. After much arguing they head off to a party, and come back drunk to talk through the night. Bernard shares a story about an ex, who might not be quite as ex as he believed.

Video

A 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer, of the high quality that you would expect from a modern TV show. Everything looks clean and crisp and the colours all look good (particularly on Manny`s selection of garish shirts). Bernard Black on the other hand always stays true to his name, dressing exclusively in black.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which sounds absolutely fine. The sound is clear and crisp and you can hear everything that`s going on. There`s not much more to say really - it`s good and it does the job.

Features

A reasonable selection of extras, in keeping with the previous series releases. A shame that there are no commentaries this time, as those on the previous series were excellent.

The outtakes are probably the best extra, with plenty of hilarious fluffs, playing up to the camera and other messing about. With the 3 excellent lead performers, you know that even the bits they get wrong will still be funny.

Deleted Scenes - various scenes from every episode, including some that really should have been left in.

"Bernard`s Letter" is a short film following Bernard writing a letter to a publisher who has rejected his book. Not sure if this was intended to be used in an episode, but it`s mildly amusing.

There are also trailers and a photo gallery.

Conclusion

It grew on me.

I`m glad I watched the third series on DVD now. It took its time, but it definitely was worth the effort. Whilst there isn`t the freshness of the earlier series, there are still some very funny moments to be had in this third series. It requires you to stick with it, but the rewards are there, with good performances from the lead actors backed up by some excellent guest stars (Simon Pegg and Julian Rhind-Tutt stand out as the top 2).

The change of writing team (Graham Linehan has been replaced by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, who write a lot of material for various radio comedies) heralds some of the changes in the show, but give it a chance - it does still work, and it`s still funny.

The disc itself is a good package with good picture and sound and some nice extras. Shame that they didn`t put a commentary on though, since the ones on previous series were great.

Recommended for fans of the show.