Black Books/Awesome

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* Manny spends most of the series being the [[Butt Monkey]] to the other characters. Then, after a particularly cruel period of torment from Bernard, he takes some therapy to sort out some of his issues - and the resulting Manny is so assertive he manages to reduce the bullying, arrogant Bernard into an insecure, hysterical wreck over the course of a short conversation:
{{quote| '''Bernard''': You look different. Have they put you on steroids?<br />
'''Manny''': ''[Calm but withering]'' What are you talking about, you silly little man?<br />
'''Bernard''': ''[Indignant]'' Now look here - !<br />
'''Manny''': Haven't you got some work you should be doing or something? And isn't it about time you had a really good scrub?<br />
'''Bernard''': ''[Hurt]'' It isn't my fault I look like this, you haven't washed my things -<br />
'''Manny''': ''[Patronising]'' Ah - we can't blame others for our own appearance, can we?<br />
'''Bernard''': ''[Flustered]'' Well, no, but, no...<br />
'''Manny''': I suggest you wash your own socks if you can chisel them out of your shoes. I'm going for a nap. I don't want to be disturbed.<br />
'''Bernard''': ''[Hysterical and shrieking, obviously upset]'' How dare you speak this way to me?! ''My own son''!!! [Realizes what he's just said]<br />
'''Manny''': What did you say?!<br />
'''Bernard''': Nothing. Nothing. }}
** Bernard's half-crazed and sadly ineffective defence of Manny- whilst under the influence of coffee and oven cleaner:
{{quote| '''Bernard''': (Hoarsely) How dare you? Don't you touch a hair on that boy's head! Have you no respect? He's ''mine!'' Get your own human play-thing... you quartz-brained little cream puff!<br />
(He swings a fist at Evan, misses, and crashes to the floor. }}
*** And his [[We Want Our Jerk Back|welcome return to his usual, foul-tempered self:]]
{{quote| '''Manny:''' Uh, what sort of thing would you like?<br />
(Without warning, Bernard violently shoves Manny through the curtains)<br />
'''Bernard:''' DON'T ASK QUESTIONS, JUST ''DO'' IT!!! And clean this place up, it's a ''disgrace!'' <br />
(Behind the curtains, Manny smiles contentedly)<br />
'''Bernard:''' And boil the bath out! And polish the stair rods! Delouse the duvet! And tumble-dry our doilies! And hoover the roof! And whistle down the chimneys! }}
** This becomes [[Hilarious in Hindsight]] when you realize the same actors would go on to play almost complete opposites of their characters (well, Dylan Moran's David was still a git) in [[Shaun of the Dead]].
** And, being a struggling author, Bernard has a crowning moment in a DVD short in which he replies to a rejection letter from the publishers:
{{quote| Dear Mr Chussington-Howe-Foxworthy, thank you for returning my manuscript and your enclosed nasty nimminy-pimminy note. I am afraid ''your'' letter is most unsuitable for ''me'' at the present time, as I've just spent the entire weekend writing the novel that you have summarily rejected. I can only presume it is company policy to reject all manuscripts not submitted in ten-foot-high braille, and yes, I am aware it is traditionally bad form to respond to any kind of criticism or rejection, but in this, as with all else, I am an innovator, therefore I may freely address you as... PISS MIDGET. Still, there's time for you to change your views, and I think you will when we meet, and meet we most assuredly will: when I suck out your eyes and use them as stoppers for my ears to muffle the screams you will make as I headbutt you into a fine paste I do hope you will not be disheartened by your sudden violent death. Yours faithfully, Bernard Black.}}
** Subversion or straight I'll let you decide...
{{quote|  '''Bernard:''' What were you thinking, what was going through your brain when you thought 'Oh yeah, I'll have a wicker toilet?}}
* Any moment in the episode "Blood" when Manny or Bernard take on the invisible creatures: special mention must go to Bernard ''noticing'' one of them, despite them being ''invisible'', on the ''other side of the shop'', casually putting his foot up on his desk, drawing a knife from his shoe and hurling it.

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