Homepage News Reviews - Acts - Shows - Screen - Radio - Books - Clubs Interviews Awards 2006 Edinburgh 2005 - Reviews - Blog - Previews Features Archive Awards 2005 Edinburgh 2004: - Previews - Shows - Diary Guestbook Forum © Emporium Of Mirth 2004 Editor: Lauren Murphy Reporters: Fiona Wilkie Natalie Joanne	Emporium of Mirth Black Books Aaah, that difficult third series, the hurdle at which so many have fallen and a hurdle of which some series have been so afraid that they have avoided it entirely. Black Books is the fool, rushing in where all those angels have feared to thread. And thank heaven for that. Things, on the whole, are pretty much the same for the protagonists; Bernard is still pissed (and pissed off). Manny is still trying to get away and Fran is still under the illusion that she’s the normal one. What is different about this series all occurs behind the scenes, the writing team is now the same for every episode, a luxury not enjoyed in the previous two with it’s merry band of guest writers (including co-creator and guest star Graham Linehan). As a result, the show is much more fluid and still infinitely enjoyable. Again, there are cameos aplenty, the sheer incestuousness of the comedy world bringing Simon Pegg to the opening episode and The Office’s Lucy Davies to the second. And far from the glamorisation of the guest stars, they are turned into monsters and given bit parts, proving that no matter who plays the part, the script is the star (though Simon Pegg’s performance is outstanding). There is still no definable point to any of the storylines, and when there is, the restoration of their equilibrium is usually hidden behind a barrage of one liners and physical comedy making it feel almost incidental. Perhaps in the case of Black Books, the lack of point is EXACTLY the point. Bring on series four. Black Books begins on March 11th at 10.30 on Channel Four Reviewed by Lauren RSS  Printable version	Visit our Siamese Twin Sister Site!