Finally, another excuse to gush over Graham Linehan (it will not be the last). Black Books is a masterclass in comic cynicism. Dylan Moran is a fantastically funny man, and he makes this show (literally, he co-wrote it). He's Bernard, a nihilistic, alcoholic bookshop owner. And he is glorious. And when you get him with Bill Bailey's well meaning Manny and Tamsin Greg's frustrated Fran, you're in for a winner. And Black Books certainly is that. It feels like a precursor to The I.T. Crowd in a lot of ways, even beyond the Linehan connection. Both shows are about three individuals who almost feel trapped by their own ineptitude, where any ambition is instantly cancelled out by a crazily awkward situation. Although it definitely stands in its own merits, because The I.T. Crowd was never quite this cynical. It's this twisted view that Bernard has if the world that makes this show. Because his personality leaks out through the screen and becomes a part of the experience. When you watch Black Books, you're essentially seeing the world through the eyes of a madman, one who can never quite catch a break. And like the best of Linehan's stuff, when something bad happens, it's surreal, it's awkward and it's beautiful.
Like a heatwave triggering mass Dave's Syndrome. Or an all night Sweeney marathon transforming Manny into a gruff detective (hey, it's happened to me before). It's a perfect example of why I love Linehan. He operates on a level that most don't, one that just has a very distinct flavour to it. And Black Books is the definition of Linehan. It's admittedly darker than the stuff you'll find on Craggy Island or Reynholm Industries, but it's still some of his best regardless. He takes the maddest side of humanity and molds it into something really special. Combine that with the crass darkness of Dylan Moran and things get good.
Black Books is a fantastic show. I don't love it as much as another Linehan sitcom, but I really do adore the acidic humour in this one. It never comes off as too edgy or off-putting, and I think that Dylan Moran is perfect as Bernard. It's not going to be one that everyone is going to like, but it's one of my favourite sitcoms because it scratches that Linehan itch that I find myself having time and time again. If you like Linehan or Moran, you'll love this. It's a great balance of surreal humour and acidic nihilism, and it just works.
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