Great comic, bad place!

So after a long time waiting for the chance to do so, I watched Black Books this weekend. I'm sad to say that I didn't really enjoy it that much, and couldn't put my finger on why until tonight...I worship Bill Bailey, and like him more than Dylan Moran and Tamsin Greig. I don't like Mr Bailey playing a weaker character to these two, as I think his personality is stronger and lends itself to a leading role in a sitcom, rather than the funny side-kick. I guess, in my head, it's like Eddie Izzard playing second fiddle to Nick Frost.

I'm bound to be met with lots of disagreement here.

The reason I mention it is I just wondered if anybody else has had otherwise good comedy programmes spoilt by a mis-cast comedian/enne? Any thoughts on it?

Don't agree, Bailey is perfect in the role; as is Moran. To me that is. Differing opinions and all that.

I would like to see this again, I really enjoyed it. Bookshop-based sitcoms are too few and far between.

I think Bailey's perfect for the role too. Even if it's just because he shouldn't really be a secondary character, and so almost breaks out of that by being so good at it. That probably makes no sense to anyone but me, but it's almost as if because he's so good at being what's apparently a secondary character, you see how adaptable he is, and how he's so much more than the role he's expected to adapt to.

I saw ten/fifteen minutes of Black Books the other day and it looked okay. Then I noticed David Walliams in it playing the same character he plays over and over again in Little Britain. Was that just a one-off appearance or was he in it more?

I don't even remember him being in it once...

IIRC he was in it, and only the once, yes.

Ohhhh. I remember. With Paul Kaye?

I don't think Bill Bailey is a secondary character in Black Books. To me he's of equal importance with Dylan Moran and Tamsin Greig. It's very much a three-hander.

Bernard is a nothing, a half-character at most, without Manny around to contrast and annoy him. Fran is a little more rounded than Bernard, but still in need of the other two to balance her out and add something of interest to the character.

If really pressed to name 'the' secondary character - which, like chipolata, I don't really agree that there is - I'd go for Fran.

Quote: zooo @ December 23 2008, 12:52 AM GMT

Ohhhh. I remember. With Paul Kaye?

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Don't remember that I'm afraid. Sounds quite possible though.

I get your point about Bill Bailey as Manny, even though I think he's great in the role. However, it didn't dawn on me fully how great of a comic he is until I saw his stand up and his appearances in panel shows where his quick wit is shown. Bernard is more closer to Moran's actual style in comedy, whereas Manny is more passive than Bailey's comedy usually is, I guess. It's difficult to explain but I definitely get what the OP is saying.