Black Books and Spaced are proven to exist in the same universe, since in one episode of Black Books, Manny is heard talking to Twist Morgan. Because of this, the only reasonable explanation for why Bilbo and Manny (both played by the same actor, Bill Bailey) look so similar is that they are identical twins. Additionally, Tim is probably related to Evan, the manager of Goliath Books, and Howell the shipping forecaster could be Duane's slightly deeper-voiced cousin.
Spaced is an alternate reality where 2000 AD's non-Megazine Spin Offs (Crisis, Revolver, etc.) succeeded and they were able to form a company of their own when they parted from Fleetway (as opposed to being bought by Rebellion, as in Real Life). A copy of 2000 AD is seen on Damien's desk and Tim's ambition is to work for Darkstar, even though he is established In-Universe to be a huge 2000 AD fanboy. Ergo, Damien Knox is Tharg.
Mike and Tim's robot, Private Iron, has 'TFU' painted on it, which stands for 'The Fuckest Uppest'. This implies that a previous version of Private Iron (or a previous robot) was labelled 'The Fucker Upper'. Taking that further, the first generation could have been 'The Fuck Up' and represented something of a disappointment.
Derek (Bilbo's rival comic shop owner), Simon's Dad from The Inbetweeners and Lance from PhoneShop are the same person.
- His comic store business collapses after Bilbo poaches Tim back. Needing to support his family, he gets a job with the PhoneShop Group and ends up as the manager of the Sutton branch.
- His very high sex drive (evidenced in both his "Simon's Dad" and "Lance" alter egos) has led to him being in simultaneous relationships with two women in different parts of suburban London — Simon's Mum (The Inbetweeners) and Shelley (PhoneShop). When he's with the latter, his air of general incompetence is a well-maintained act which can explain away any irregularities in his life that she might discover. He doesn't want children with Shelley because he's already got two, and they're more than enough.
