American Reacts to Black Books

[@MrNikolidas]

Taffe: Looks up an actor nobody knows Also Taffe: Misses Martin Freeman

[@MousePotato]

@Random Scottish Bloke You forgot that he was also Arthur Dent from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Movie.

[@lanspectre3417]

Haha that was funny "look up, look at him" also missed the visual joke of reading the book via the x-ray

[@reallivebluescat]

Exactly, Like you have to watch the fcing video mate or you'll miss something 😂 least pause if you're gonna google a name

[@MrJonno85]

How can he ever recover from missing Martin Freeman? 😉 (As in, does it matter?)

[@darkcaste]

Me: "LOOK AT THE SCREEN!"

[@frglee]

Black Books is great...one of the great underrated comedies, imo.

[@jack28aug]

Agree, I think he should give Alan Partridge a ganders.

[@vidiveniviciDCLXVI]

Not underrated at all, it had huge viewing at the time it was on.

[@frglee]

@@vidiveniviciDCLXVI You are right, certainly for British audiences, but I don't think it reached the height of international appreciation that Graham Linehan's and Arthur Matthews' other successes 'Father Ted' and 'The I.T. Crowd' did.

[@MajesticSkywhale]

@@frglee it's unfortunate that Graham Linehan is such a raving loony in real life

[@katiefincher2433]

No one underrates it. It's just not that big in america because it... is not american.

[@monkeymox2544]

14:18 - 15:23 was the most painful minute ever on this channel :'D I was like "FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, LOOK AT THE SCREEN!"

[@darriendastar3941]

Just thought you'd like a bit of background on this (I worked on the furthest extremes on the series. (I was a step down from the people who provided the portable toilets to the set.) Dylan Moran is a bona fides genius - but he walks to the beat of his own drum. I've seen him many times doing his stand-up show and he can reduce me to near-death experiences of laughter. But if he's on screen, he's - justifiably - concerned about control of the humour. He's a truly great man - but he's not the easiest person to work with. And this is why you don't see so much of him on TV or film these days. That said, the guy is a genius - he's absolutely fantastic. When the series came out, Tamsin Greig was a new and virtually unknown actress. She's just grown and grown as an actress. Mostly she does comedy, but she's a bit like Olivia Coleman - there's absolutely nothing she can't tackle as an actress. She makes everything work. But at the time of Black Books, she was something of an unknown quantity. It wasn't her *Big Break* - but it confirmed to all the producers that she could carry a role and make it important. One of the great thing about this series is that it allowed Bill Bailey ('Manny') to break out. Previous to this series, Bailey had been part of a duo of stand-ups called the Rubber Bishops (one of the absolute great comedy stand-up duos in British comedy history). This was the series that allowed him to explode as his own self. And exploded he has. He's an utterly funny man - but h's also more accomplished than you or me. He's a superb musician (a master of many, many, many instruments) and really sorted out about zoology. He's one of the few comedians in Britain who can sell out an arena tour with few problems. The whole thing about Black Books was that it achieved excellence because of the cast. The first series didn't get great ratings - the only reason it got recommissioned was because it was on Channel 4 and the company was able to let a series grow. Anyway - a long post. But this is what was going on in the background.

[@kendee4421]

Not to mention Tamsin being excellent in Friday Night Dinner.

[@darriendastar3941]

@@kendee4421 It's virtually impossible to remark on how magnificent Tamsin is. I've tried hard on social media, but I'd need a Nobel Prize in poetry to get it right :-)

[@kendee4421]

@@darriendastar3941 I can understand why Jim fancies her 😂 A future Maureen Lipman, possibly.

[@Live-by2vk]

Stop talking goo!

[@jebushcrist]

Thanks for the background. I like Moran and Bailey but didn't realise Bailey wasn't famous before the show.

[@quizzabella]

Black Books is hilarious, it's a cult classic in the UK, I'm not sure how well known it is elsewhere. I love watching people discover it.

[@kiwihib]

Was popular here in New Zealand.

[@hughdawson5852]

@@kiwihib Watched it since i was little in Australia, great show. I got to see Dylan live in december which was an absolute treat

[@twistedsis100]

i'm 27 and don't know how the fuck i missed this growing up (only found it half a year ago)

[@quizzabella]

He's hilarious live., I've seen him twice. Pretty sure he doesn't have to act much to become Bernard.

[@thanossnap4170]

Hadn't heard much about it in Norway, but i got introduced to it by a friend. He demanded that i binged it with him! Rewatched it so many times since then. Still thank him for it xD We also went to see Dylan live last year. Hilarious!

[@andyallwood]

It's a brilliant comedy, one of my personal favourites. It is more of a cult comedy though, so might not do well as others. Definitely worth watching them all though (in order) even if you just watch them in your own time.

[@Vigilante311]

Ive watched the entire series in one day, on three occasions

[@andyallwood]

@@Vigilante311 h aha, yeah I never get sick of it either.

[@paulbyrne3488]

More!!!! It has a big following! It stopped because...reasons! Not because it wasnt loved... its classic every episode must be watched trust me. I have watched them all repeatedly and they just keep me coming back. Easily as good as father ted. As much as id like them to make more ... its like father ted and fawlty towers... classoc and finite. Please do the rest.

[@paxillusinvolutus5213]

Paul Byrne seconded!

[@heartbeatcity23]

Thirded!

[@ajivins1]

The Fourth is with you!

[@sevenseasonsofbrown]

my three favorite shows fawlty towers , father ted and black books

[@ahlads]

No doubt it is an all time great sit com

[@askesl]

Black Books is probably my favorite sit-com of all time. Please do more videos of it.

[@FearlessSpinner]

The funny thing is: It actually says what it is on the box in japanese "Lighter"

[@detectivesquirrel2621]

Definitely need to do more reacts to Black Books... and Green Wing.

[@r4h4al]

Couldn't agree more.

[@tolkienfan10]

Black Books was comedy magic. Moran, Bailey and Linehan are all geniuses. Linehan is also a twunt though but his work is excellent. As far as I know, it only lasted 3 seasons because Moran wanted out.

[@Margarinetaylorgrease]

Looks down to google suspected famous person, missed real famous person😂

[@Xedus86]

THIS BOTHERED ME SO MUCH! LMAO!

[@simoncotterill9660]

God I'm so glad someone else noticed. I was actually shouting "fucking look up" at the screen!

[@dannydorko7075]

What I suggest is, someone straps Noah into a chair with his eyes clamped open, permanently facing the screen, like that scene in A Clockwork Orange.

[@Margarinetaylorgrease]

@@dannydorko7075 He might like that ;)

[@amnril]

That’s hilarious. You spend a moment looking up some unknown actor and at the same time, a very young looking Martin Freeman from The Office, Love actually and Fargo series is on screen.... well done

[@Isleofskye]

Not to mention being Bilbo Baggins and Sherlock Holmes :) Edited to now say Dr. Watson.....you can tell I did not see it :)

[@amnril]

Isleofskye Dr Watson actually but I know what you meant 😉

[@Isleofskye]

No words can adequately express my remorse regarding my inexcusable faux pas. I am mortified that I got to make such a Schoolboy error and I only try to crave your forgiveness for my brief moment of total complete and utter insanity in making this mistake. I have no excuses and I can only apologise ,profusely, for my stupidity, once again. You are a good man for pointing this out to me. I'm inconsolable at the moment.....:(

[@amnril]

Isleofskye ok, forgiven 😂

[@Isleofskye]

You are more than kind. A thousand apologies again, Sahib :)

[@ChristopherStendeck]

Has anyone ever suggested "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace?" Black Books is great, but the ultimate, underrated, cult comedy gem has to be that. For anyone who hasn't seen it, it's a show from 2004, written by Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade, depicting a fictional, cancelled, supernatural hospital drama, called Darkplace, a sort of cross between St. Elsewhere and The Twilight Zone. The whole thing is shambolic, hyperbolic, and utterly lacking any sense of irony. It is presented as some kind of precious never-before-seen retrospective by its writer, "Garth Marenghi" (played by Holness), an Essex Boy with an inflated opinion of himself, and his producer, Dean Lerner, played by Ayoade. The whole thing is an absolute masterpiece, especially if you have fond memories of 80's TV at it's tacky best, and understand the Essex humour. Oh, and it has Matt Berry in it, in the most Matt Berry-esque role you could possibly imagine.

[@teanosuger]

My friend thought it was a cult classic from the 80s Brilliant

[@ChristopherStendeck]

@@teanosuger I got my mother to check it out and her feedback was "I tried to watch it but the acting was terrible."

[@Tokalafox]

@@ChristopherStendeck Well it is intentionally bad

[@ChristopherStendeck]

@@Tokalafox Obviously. But not obvious to my mum.

[@pitmatix1457]

I've suggested it numerous times. We need more people badgering him about it!

[@reginaphalange7795]

What I really like is that Linehan and his co-writers tell us who the characters are in the first episodes of Father Ted, IT Crowd and Black Books. Building on that as the series go on. Good writing.

[@jkayrichardson3366]

I love that taffe was so busy looking up that actors name that he totlly missed the Martin Freeman cameo

[@bludgerabled]

Black books is brilliant, probably my family's favourite comedy series. Not really a bad episode in my opinion and it does keep getting better, I'd watch more reactions.

[@Rupsyy]

First time i saw this show was in my Philosophy class. There was no real reason for it besides the fact our philosophy teacher loved the series and wanted to show us. And tbh, we deserved a break.

[@traceyridsdill4439]

Hi Noah, I thought that was really funny and I'd never heard of this series before. Thank you and hope you will do more in the future! X

[@martinevans7090]

Dude, Black Books is every bit as good as Father Ted and IT Crowd! Check out “Moo Ma and Moo Pa” my personal favourite episode!

[@stingersplash]

I've been waiting a long time for this reaction. In my opinion it's the most underrated comedy of the last 20 years. It's so bingeworthy!

[@krug001]

Great vid Noah, such a great excuse to watch all these episodes again. Please react to 'Ideal' with Johnny Vegas

[@lewi8932]

Been hoping you'll do this for ages! Would love you do to more of them.

[@kyoujinkrista2]

One of my favourite shows ever! Glad you seemed to enjoy it!

[@zidane456]

The 3 main Graham Linehan shows are amazingly good. Black books is probably my favourite. That episode they open a restaurant is sublime.

[@wyterabitt2149]

I do think it is a disservice to Dylan Moran to just consider this as a "Graham Linehan" show, this is a Dylan Moran show who had already created it and written parts before Graham Linehan knew about it. And even after he offered to join, he was a joint partner not the main writer. I love Graham Linehan shows and his writing though, don't get me wrong.

[@milkteanomnom]

I’m American, but I’ve been watching black books since like 2006, or something. I love British comedies. Blackadder is another favourite of mine.

[@BillyF2LJeffs]

PLEEEEEEASE Do the entire series!!!! It gets SOO much better!!

[@cheorry3141]

I love black books so much, I’m glad you’re reacting to them :)

[@2opler]

Crikey! Black Books and Green Wing...you`re hitting the high notes!

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Just needs to add spaced and maybe coupling to it and he's sorted for quality British modern comedies

[@reginaphalange7795]

@@lmaoroflcopter Spaced would be an interesting one, as would Ideal. My partner's American and struggles with Ideal, doesn't particularly dislike it, it's a cultural references thing. Spaced he's fine with.

[@brentoncole5488]

It is one of the most loved comedies of all time. Not just in England but Australia too

[@conalmcainsh4956]

damn right! I grew up on it

[@edwardshepherd8074]

15:15 Totally misses an appearance by Martin Freeman while looking up non-famous actor in the previous scene...

[@thesimpsons17]

Me and my mates would meet yearly, drink wine, eat cheese and smoke while watching the full series in one sitting 😂 It's a tradition that has sadly died as we all got old and boring.

[@mialevi1341]

Oh my god! How did I not request this before? I LOVE THIS SHOW AND FORGOT ALL ABOUT REQUESTING! Thank you for reacting!

[@SartorialAF]

Thank you so much for reacting to Black Books!! This is one of my all time faves 😍😂

[@eviltwin2322]

Another Tamsin Grieg show you might enjoy is Friday Night Dinner. It also stars Simon Bird from The Inbetweeners. "Why do you say it like that?". Well, because they're weirdos and it's funny!

[@jackduffy-smith1126]

Hats off to you for exploring the superior comedy on this side of the pond. A lot of underappreciated comedy over here :)

[@millerhxc]

Black Books is a cult classic. My friends and I used to love it and I still watch the odd old clip now and again.

[@Tokalafox]

Hope you do more of these. More or less every episode is good. Grapes of Wrath and Lockdown are some of my favs

[@Tokalafox]

The Big Lockouti i mean

[@doctordunc]

Black Books was fab. A bit like with Spaced it kind of makes sense to follow the episodes through rather than picking individual episodes at random (although I could recommend some particularly good ones, such as Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa from Series 3). But there is a kind of plot that flows through the episodes, particularly in Series 1.

[@doctordunc]

(Manny Come Home from Series 3 is great too - even though Series 1 was my favourite series).

[@DokkaChapman]

This was my all time favourite comedy of my early teens. Trust me, you need to cover more episodes ;)

[@Isleofskye]

You missed the joke about Martin Freeman-The Doctor quoting the book from the X Rays :)

[@LambriniSupernova]

Massively underrated sitcom. Especially the first series

[@raifthemad]

First time I watched the first series I fell off the chair laughing and after binging through it my torso and face were aching from laughter. I've seen the series maybe ten times but still that scene when Bernard prances up to the skinheads and goes "Which one of you bitches wants to dance?" still almost made me pass out from laughter.

[@sevenseasonsofbrown]

Ikr it's hilarious 😂😂

[@marcuslamb]

Black Books is amazing. One of the best comedies in years. You should also check out Derry Girls - was also a Channel 4 show originally but the first season is on Netflix now - so probably cause some copyright issues with the KZbins

[@alanrose5603]

The whole series is great but just wait for the episode with Manny's parents in season 3. One of my all time favourites of any sitcom.

[@twisteddman]

Little book of calm! Binged this show years ago. Was looking around online for things i had never seen and found this hilarious british show. couldnt believe how funny this was, great show

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

Hi Noah, i`m glad you liked it, I have Black Books & the I.T. Crowd on Dvd`s, definitely something that can cheer you up when you need it. Dylan Moran does some good stand-up, which I think you can see on You tube. Bill Bailey is a musical comedian, again, I think you might find clips on You Tube. He is also a wonderful guest on Q.I. with Stephen Fry.

[@GyleCast]

Black books is amazing. It only gets better.

[@jacobajackderoeck9609]

Black Books is a work of art. I actually visited the place where the store was when I visited London last year. ^^

[@Trag1cVision]

You're absolutely right in your assumption that Graham Linehan's work is consumed by different types of people. I can never get into Father Ted but the IT Crowd and BB sell it for me. Great review btw. The undisputed best episode of Black Books is 'Elephants and Chickens'. It's 'Speed Three' of Bernards era.

[@Valzahd]

A good series for anyone working retail

[@Saint_Dan132]

He absorbed the book. That's funny not watched this in years thanks for reminding me how funny this was

[@nottydread]

Brilliant show! Would love to see more. Remember watching this when it come out back in the day. Don't think it'll be as popular as Father Ted etc. But occasionally you should just do some shows because YOU want to watch it - especially if you enjoy it!

[@glyph2011]

The Black Books DVD set is a jewel in my collection. A ruddy Marvellous show.

[@blairosh_]

Black Books is brilliant. You HAVE to do some more episodes!

[@GedUK]

Believe me, if Rik Mayall was in this, you'd know. It's not possible to miss a Rik appearance/performance. Which reminds me, have you ever watched Bottom?

[@chrisduncan7954]

There's two reaction vids of Bottom on Noah's Dailymotion page

[@reallivebluescat]

yes he has

[@mradriankool]

The series was a who’s who of British comedy, literally the show is on everyone’s CV.

[@phyllisellett8456]

Brilliant, you need to do Early Doors (yes BBC) or/and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (Channel 4) - Intelligent real British comedy.

[@rebusak47]

Darkplace, Yes.

[@lucyschoon5585]

@@rebusak47 blood. Blood. Blood.

[@rebusak47]

@@lucyschoon5585 The broccoli had gone. But the hurt remained.

[@sirjambon]

Oh God yeah, Darkplace is one of those comedies where it was mad they only made 6 episodes, and by rights Matthew Holness should have become a comedy superstar off the back of it.

[@lucyschoon5585]

@@rebusak47 she knew babies were meant to kick.... but were they supposed to scratch?!!

[@Crimson_Logic]

Love Black Books.

[@neilymanadventures6577]

Both Moran and Bailey are exceptional stand up comedians, you should check out some of their stuff.

[@roybibby2351]

I love blackbooks definitely one of my favourites

[@gilbertsprojects2954]

I love black books but I only watched it a few times when it was originally broadcast. I for one would love to see you react to more episodes. 👍🏼

[@LambriniSupernova]

So love the series you react to dude. Your an absolute legend. Suggestion - 'Game On'

[@CharmCharlie]

Black books is the most incredible comedy and I have watched them over and over!!! Thank you for doing this!! I love Bill Bailey (God! Lol!) and miss this show sooooo much!! x

[@richardhague801]

season 1 is brilliant especially the Grapes of Wrath episode (Ep 3)

[@Tokalafox]

I'm a prostitute robot from the future

[@grizzlygamer8891]

YES YES YES. This cropped up on Amazon Prime the other day and I assimilated the whole lot in like one sitting 😂.

[@simply_psi]

Black Books is one of my favourite comedy shows

[@iancossey105]

Just want to add to the chorus of approval for this one. Black Books is the best! Still my fave sitcom after all this time. This first ep is ok, but not as good as later ones. Grapes of Wrath, The Big Lock-out, Elephants and Hens, and Party are my personal faves. Please do more! (Or at least watch them for yourself - you won't regret it!)

[@Uatu-the-Watcher]

Black Books is a fun show. I enjoyed it great ensemble. Continue watching one way or another.

[@reallivebluescat]

Black Books have a HUGE fanbase. more more more pls ! its a genious show : D

[@allahspreadshate6486]

I'm very jealous of those who haven't watched it yet, they've got all that unknown pleasure to come....

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Trust me, it does well. I have watched and re watched all series many times. There's always something you notice you didn't before. Dylan Moran is a stand up comedian usually and is hilarious always. Treat yourself and watch them all.

[@Johnnysnuff]

Hands down one of the funniest and surreal sitcoms out there!!!

[@TheArcSet]

Thanks for this reaction.

[@TKs3DPrints]

i enjoyed it the first time it was shown. there are some others you might like to have a look at. though i am not sure if you will be able to find them like Chelmsford 123 and nightingales. though only a few seasons on each some old british 80s comedy.

[@Non_Sequitur]

Just FYI, in Ireland, I'd say most of us wouldn't pronounce it "More-an", we pronounce it "Morn" (That's me speaking from the North-East, possibly different elsewhere)

[@callumcowan7047]

+Sarah B Interesting, I'm Scottish and I don't know the general consensus over here but I personally have always pronounced it Maw-RAN. Like moron with an an instead of an on. We are so close yet so far away Ireland haha, I also can't read craic without thinking "cray-ck."

[@Non_Sequitur]

@@callumcowan7047 You can hear how I pronounce it right at the start of his stand-up show "Like Totally" (which is worth watching for anyone who hasn't seen it). There's maybe a HINT of the A in Moran but I think it would sound a lot like "morn" to most people if they heard me say it.kzbin.info/www/bejne/baDbZ5dnmLClq5o

[@Non_Sequitur]

Also I'm not saying anyone else's pronunciation is wrong. It's just funny that such a short word produces so many different versions of how to say it! It's interesting :)

[@honeybee3269]

I'm in the south west, the Morans down here are MORE-ins.

[@GerardSharkey]

My favourite sitcom ever.

[@anarchoutis]

You say that the show didn't last very long, but three series (seasons) was actually pretty common for a lot of british comedy shows, compared to the US.

[@heartbeatcity23]

It’s not just the combined copyright of little dot and channel 4 that allows for this to be put on KZbin it’s also cuz it’s licensed as like free to watch on KZbin by dead parrot in it’s entirety

[@sirjambon]

What's happened to Dylan Moran? He was everywhere in the early 00s but I've not seen him for ages. Just checking he's not died...

[@conalmcainsh4956]

He's still alive and doing his niche brand of stand up which is as clever and funny as it gets

[@frodobaggins5795]

Yes! Great show. Hope it does well so you can do more 👍

[@shenysys]

You going on about aliens reminds me of Red Dwarf. Where Rimmer blamed things that happened on aliens and the space pod they found as being alien.

[@ChristopherStendeck]

I was going out of my mind when you were looking up [the person who isn't who you thought they were] for the entirety of the first hospital scene, and didn't look up to see the now very famous Martin Freeman! I'm so glad it wasn't his only scene! 😂

[@Live-by2vk]

Dude, many of us wish that was rik mayall. However if it had of been you’d totally of known about it! Woof woof!

[@kieryweery1]

Fantastic show. Should do more 👍

[@ArcaneStrain]

Please continue!

[@hellsbunniestv584]

Can't wait to see you react to the Next episode, The Entertainer!

[@shenysys]

Bill Bailey is a fan of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and made a show about him called Jungle Hero.

[@aidanmoran12]

The way he pronounces Moran makes me chuckle

[@fatherjack636]

A good quirky and strange sitcom from Ireland is Bridget & Eamon

[@positronicfeed]

This is one of my top 5 favourite sitcoms.

[@Azphreal]

You need to watch the one where Bernard opens a restaurant of the one with the Holy wine.

[@emmanewport]

Accountant’s name is nick voleur. Aka English slang for stealing and French for thief.

[@josephcopeland2996]

Lol, you pointed out the shop sign at one point. You will soon see why it wasnt flipped over when the shop closed.

[@JasperJanssen]

“How do you make money?” Well, he doesn’t. P sure the space bong is a teapot. The doctor is Martin Freeman - Bilbo Baggins, Watson, that sort of thing. I think the not leg breaker is from Little Britain.

[@simply_psi]

The space bong is a lighter

[@RoadkillbunnyUK]

Black books was bloody awesome!

[@lucywm]

Huge dedicated fan base in the UK - absolute classic

[@briansmith4067]

Please do more of these, brilliantly funny show. Also highly recommend the series Ideal with Johnny Vegas. Best to start at the beginning.

[@luthierjustin1]

Black Books was an amazing show, do more

[@macgibbon]

bit part doctor talking to Manny - movie star way bigger than anyone else on this show, lol. If you want more British sitcoms, Martin Freeman had a shortlived one called Hardware, which was pretty decent. Fun fact: he was in the video for Faith No More's I Started a Joke.

[@wyterabitt2149]

I kind of get what you are saying, but I still feel you can't hold Martin Freeman as above most of the people here - and he is arguably less talented than many in spite of the success he has had. There are plenty of fairly big people on the show, and even in the first episode. Rupert Vansittart plays a small part in this very episode, and is hardly a nobody. You can't compare stand up comedians directly but Bill Bailey has sold out stadiums and toured with huge shows, is an accomplished and extremely talented musician (who can play practically anything) who has played with orchestras, and even had a comedy and music show in the Royal Albert Hall with an orchestra backup. Dylan Moran is a successful touring stand up, who wrote a cult classic and ended it on his own terms. Even Tamsin Greig had an acclaimed theatre background, and has had a solid TV career in several cult hits. I like Martin Freeman and of course his career really took off in mainstream film in a big way. I just want to give a brief defence of the rest of the cast here.

[@macgibbon]

@@wyterabitt2149 Yep, that's why I said movie star - it doesn't really mean you're more talented, otherwise Brad Pitt wouldn't be one. Simon Pegg turned up later down the road, and he's pretty big now, I guess. I never really liked Dylan Moran's standup, it seemed a bit too much like his style in the show, but less cohesive.

[@trudiebrown4284]

Loved black books