Who reads the papers? - Yes, Prime Minister - BBC comedy

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  • Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
  • In this timeless clip, Prime Minister, Jim Hacker explains to Sir Humphrey and Bernard the importance of the papers and who reads which one. Hilarious BBC British comedy at its best.
    This is a channel from BBC Studios who help fund new BBC programmes. Service information and feedback: www.bbcstudios...

Комментарии • 1,6 тыс.

  • @ArcaneAzmadi
    @ArcaneAzmadi 7 лет назад +4267

    I think Bernard's punchline is possibly the single funniest one-liner in the series.

    • @terellison
      @terellison 6 лет назад +58

      ArcaneAzmadi You’ll get no argument from me on that!

    • @ZATennisFan
      @ZATennisFan 5 лет назад +80

      And maybe the most accurate...

    • @ori5021
      @ori5021 5 лет назад +255

      It was funny becouse this is such an uncharacteristic joke to the series. It was so surprising.

    • @q851230
      @q851230 5 лет назад +81

      And some time we can see Sir.Humphrey with Sun in his hand make it even funnier XDDD

    • @wemuk5170
      @wemuk5170 5 лет назад +10

      ZATennisFan So funny I had tears in my eyes! 😅😂🤣Almost spot on but not entirely accurate as you think: I read the Times, the ‘I’ and the FT but neither own nor run the country.😜

  • @AdamPagewriter
    @AdamPagewriter 10 лет назад +4265

    Still relevant decades later. Painfully, painfully, painfully relevant.

    • @oliviermosimann6931
      @oliviermosimann6931 9 лет назад +79

      Yes... I'd even add scarefully and hideously relevant...

    • @GardEngebretsen
      @GardEngebretsen 8 лет назад +10

      +AFGuidesHD Wait... Did the communists burn down the Reichstag again?

    • @zoecastillo632
      @zoecastillo632 8 лет назад +13

      +GardEngebretsen I hope not, the Reichstag is a fantastic piece architecture.

    • @GardEngebretsen
      @GardEngebretsen 8 лет назад +23

      Zoë Castillo That was a reference to how Hitler seized power permanently. Blamed the actions of a mentally unstable person on the Communists (he tried setting the Reichstag ablaze) and socialists, outlawed their parties - and then was unopposed in parliament where he made everyone confirm him as Führer.

    • @zoecastillo632
      @zoecastillo632 8 лет назад +7

      GardEngebretsen I know :> I was just joking.

  • @dorkmax7073
    @dorkmax7073 4 года назад +2713

    The other day, I saw a Sun article that said "silly millennials argue Frankenstein's monster was not a monster, but a sympathetic character with feelings". Apparently no one told them that this is the actual point of Mary Shelley's book.

    • @mrpusser0348
      @mrpusser0348 4 года назад +70

      TheRenaissanceman65 I think
      They just watched van helsing and got simpsthy offence

    • @amoral_minority
      @amoral_minority 4 года назад +49

      Did the article by any chance mention the OSP channel? It's very good and the people who run it actually read the books they discuss, unlike, apparently, the journalists who work at The Sun.

    • @bohemianwriter1
      @bohemianwriter1 4 года назад +5

      @Scooby Doo That's because it has big tits...
      Dont't forget the big tits.

    • @seamusolunacy
      @seamusolunacy 4 года назад +17

      If I made Frankensteins monster I'd give it big tits.

    • @gdwnet
      @gdwnet 4 года назад +6

      But does the monster have big tits?

  • @olamarvin
    @olamarvin 3 года назад +476

    I like how they put some balance into the characters so Hacker wasn't always a bumbling fool and Sir Humphrey the savvy one. Of course a politician knows the newspapers better!

    • @hjalfi
      @hjalfi 2 года назад +35

      Indeed, one episode has Sir Humphrey say something unwise to a journalist --- and then Hacker has to pull him out of it.

    • @DellDuckfan313
      @DellDuckfan313 2 года назад +12

      Hacker was a journalist himself, before his political career.

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 2 года назад +32

      Humphrey's home field was the bureaucracy, Hacker's was the media. Challenging either of them there rarely went well for the challenger.

    • @ThomasHenryHoran
      @ThomasHenryHoran Год назад +6

      Also, everybody has had a new boss at work with a 100 brilliant ideas for fixing everything that everybody knows isn't broken. I can definitely relate to both of them. That's great writing.

    • @datnoob4394
      @datnoob4394 Год назад +6

      @@ThomasHenryHoran I'm pretty sure Humphrey knows everything is broken and wrong but just "frightfully well carried out"

  • @johncronin9540
    @johncronin9540 7 лет назад +1388

    Paul Eddington should have gotten an award just for this scene. He not only nailed the delivery, he also did the best job of staying in character. The other two both nearly lost it. It makes sense that his character would know the most about the press. Hacker was an editor or publisher before going into politics. I believe the fictional publication was "Reform".
    You know just how timeless and lasting a series is when the humor is still relevant over thirty years after it was produced.

    • @mattpollard86
      @mattpollard86 5 лет назад +54

      And he had advanced cancer at the time - hence the layers of make up. Incredible.

    • @andrewbowman4611
      @andrewbowman4611 5 лет назад +41

      He had cancer throughout most of his career, I believe. He was initially diagnosed in his early 20s. He just carried on regardless without treatment (I think). After all, they do say that sometimes it's the treatment that kills you.

    • @MrJonno85
      @MrJonno85 5 лет назад +17

      It looks like he may have been reading his speech from notes on his desk, but if so, who could blame him?

    • @ackbarfan5556
      @ackbarfan5556 4 года назад +8

      John Cronin He got nominated for several BAFTAs for this... but Nigel kept winning!

    • @Westy1971
      @Westy1971 4 года назад +12

      @@mattpollard86 He was starting to lose his hair, because one of the last times I saw him on tv in an interview, he'd lost his hair & his skin was 'patchy' for want of a better word!

  • @Armatige
    @Armatige 7 лет назад +404

    The pm OWNING that scene all the way till the end......until Bernard stole the whole thing away.

    • @Sylvander1911
      @Sylvander1911 3 года назад +10

      Wooley always got the best lines

    • @WildBikerBill
      @WildBikerBill 3 года назад +11

      @@Sylvander1911 Given he had the fewest lines, it was sort of his job to be the straight man delivering the exclamation point at the end of a scene.

    • @christinevickers1457
      @christinevickers1457 8 месяцев назад +1

      ... and lowering his head to avoid being seen as about to laugh aloud himself! 😂

    • @schroecat1
      @schroecat1 6 месяцев назад +3

      @@christinevickers1457 Every one of the actors was on the verge of laughter throughout the whole scene. They knew exactly how funny it was. XD

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 5 месяцев назад +5

      @@schroecat1 Give credit to Paul Eddington for staying in character throughout the whole exchange, even Bernard's punchline.

  • @pendorran
    @pendorran 11 лет назад +411

    I love it when Bernard gets the punch line. Derek Fowlds always pulled that deadpan off brilliantly. This trio are one of the finest comic teams of all time. Never a missed note.

    • @DarthAzabrush
      @DarthAzabrush Год назад +11

      I love his "grief did I just say that aloud" expression in the reaction shot.

    • @abzzeus
      @abzzeus Год назад +7

      Bernard's irregular verbs are classics

    • @ben8209
      @ben8209 Год назад +3

      Derek Fowlds will forever line in my memory for two things:
      One: this great punchline in Yes Minister.
      Two: Hissing the word ‘Greengrass!’ through gritted teeth in absolute contempt.

  • @Morgyborgyblob
    @Morgyborgyblob 3 года назад +206

    I know Bernard's line is coming, but it still cracks me up every time.

    • @almostfm
      @almostfm 3 года назад +13

      And the look on his face right is one of the great "Oh, my God-Did I just say that out _loud?_ " moments of all time

    • @leftcoaster67
      @leftcoaster67 2 года назад +7

      Perfect delivery.

    • @alanhappymanBTR
      @alanhappymanBTR 24 дня назад

      IF ONLY the same scriptwriters👏👏 could/WOULD update to a @UKLABOUR GOVERNMENT………..EVEN A ONE-OFF ‘Special’ (if not entire series) might suffice ? 🤔💭💭💭😁😂🤣👍

    • @peterowen9183
      @peterowen9183 7 дней назад

      At 1:35 you can see Nigel Hawthorne containing his laughter because he has the line that sets up Derek Fowlds' punchline and he knows what it is going to be. Lovely stuff.

  • @chrisaddison274
    @chrisaddison274 9 лет назад +723

    Nigel Hawthorne almost losing it there... :D
    Cracking series and STILL as relevant...

    • @vaclav_fejt
      @vaclav_fejt 8 лет назад +46

      +Chris Addison And Derek Fowlds does lose it, supposing from how he lowers his head.

    • @RexKarrs
      @RexKarrs 6 лет назад +29

      I wonder if he didn't ad-lib that line, then a few tenths of a second later, realized what he'd said.

    • @Cynwidion
      @Cynwidion 3 года назад +19

      @@RexKarrs No it was scripted, but the lines were just so classic that both of them almost couldn't help themselves. The timing was perfect and they all knew it.

    • @insertclevername4123
      @insertclevername4123 3 года назад +7

      @@Cynwidion I wonder how many times they had to rehearse/shoot that bit before they could get reasonably close to getting through without completely breaking up (I think you're right, that Hawthorne is starting to break in anticipation, probably of both the line itself and what he could predict would be the audience reaction).

    • @EtoileLion
      @EtoileLion 3 года назад +3

      @@insertclevername4123 And uses the brush of his nose to pull himself back into the scene, as a true professional.

  • @DavidWilsonHolmes
    @DavidWilsonHolmes 9 лет назад +599

    Yes minister and yes prime minister have to be one of the best satires ever broadcasted on British TV.

    • @LattiMonstaaa
      @LattiMonstaaa 9 лет назад +40

      *on TV

    • @VallornDeathblade
      @VallornDeathblade 9 лет назад +62

      David Wilson-Holmes Considering what I know of politics it sometimes comes across as a documentary more than a satire.

    • @williamrance5086
      @williamrance5086 7 лет назад +13

      Or any other global tv for that matter!

    • @unrealuknow864
      @unrealuknow864 6 лет назад +7

      Best writing of any show anytime ant place.

    • @odysseusrex5908
      @odysseusrex5908 6 лет назад +16

      What makes you think they're satires?

  • @Bajirkus
    @Bajirkus 6 месяцев назад +30

    I learned so much about British society from this 108 second clip.
    Admittedly I already knew that Sun readers were, well, like that.

  • @davesy6969
    @davesy6969 11 месяцев назад +24

    This is the kind of output that the BBC used to excel at. Brilliant at every level.

    • @pp-bb6jj
      @pp-bb6jj 9 дней назад

      Distant past.

  • @snapsnappist4529
    @snapsnappist4529 Год назад +86

    One of the best-written (and delivered) bits in British sitcom history. Nigel Hawthorn obviously enjoyed it - you can see him desperately trying not to corpse after Paul Eddington delivers his lines.

    • @michaelinlofi
      @michaelinlofi 9 месяцев назад +8

      Paul's the only one not to break. Bernard looking down at his papers looks a lot like Derek trying to hide a laugh

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 5 месяцев назад +5

      When Fowlds delivers his punchline, you can see the reflection in the brass on the door of Hawthorn tossing his papers away. I guess he couldn't hold it in any longer. 😆

  • @kc9602
    @kc9602 7 лет назад +249

    The look on Derek Fowldes' face: "Did I really just say that?!!"

    • @portkembla1955
      @portkembla1955 7 лет назад +4

      This is just so good.

    • @ariavachier-lagravech.6910
      @ariavachier-lagravech.6910 5 лет назад +6

      yea i found it interesting how he himself doesn't believe what came out of his mouth

    • @boliusabol822
      @boliusabol822 4 года назад

      @@ariavachier-lagravech.6910 Dude they are actors

    • @figjam59
      @figjam59 4 года назад +7

      Basil would never believe it of Mr Derek.

    • @rifelaw
      @rifelaw 3 года назад +3

      "In my out-loud voice?"

  • @deplorabled1695
    @deplorabled1695 4 года назад +150

    RIP Derek; this show was a masterpiece and you were magnificent.

    • @trollop_7
      @trollop_7 3 года назад +3

      Basil read a poem at his funeral.

  • @alaistairhamilton8838
    @alaistairhamilton8838 4 года назад +113

    Bernard's line finishes a wonderful build with an exquisite punchline. Still one of the highlights of such an underrated series.

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 Год назад +5

      I can't imagine anyone underrating it, unless they've never heard of it at all.

  • @ClipontheEar
    @ClipontheEar 3 года назад +209

    The ‘who reads which British newspaper’ joke has been around since the 1960s.
    It was posted up on a lot of office noticeboards, and when fax machines arrived, it was one of the most-faxed inter-office memos.
    (Faxed humour was a precursor to social media.)
    The satirical comment wasn’t written for this show, but it has never been better delivered for a laugh.

    • @GolumTR
      @GolumTR 2 года назад +24

      Oh, it’s much older than that. Joseph Clayton Clark did a series of cartoons in the late 19th century that was typical readers of various newspapers. The Daily Mail reader, for instance, is a man in a padded cell.

    • @cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902
      @cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902 2 года назад +5

      @@GolumTR An accurate depiction to this day

    • @cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902
      @cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902 2 года назад +10

      People used to fax each other memes?! That's incredible! There really is nothing new under the sun

    • @ixlnxs
      @ixlnxs 2 года назад +25

      @@cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902 In the early 1500s, the Spanish emperor Carlos Quinto (Carlos V), who lived in the Flemish city of Mechelen, exchanged memes/cartoons/jokes with a friend in the French royal family at the palace in Paris. I know this from a PhD thesis about mail delivery because the fastest mail delivery between Mechelen and Paris (315 kms) took three days in 1518 and longer than that by 2018.

    • @VersusARCH
      @VersusARCH 2 года назад

      @@cartertheunstoppablefaxmac902 Except new pair of tits every day.

  • @dhegonusblue3068
    @dhegonusblue3068 10 лет назад +715

    meanwhile the daily express readers want to resurrect Dianna so she can run the country.

    • @ejcmoorhouse
      @ejcmoorhouse 10 лет назад +32

      The Independent readers have no official political bias, i readers are young and Metro readers are bored on train and bus journeys.

    • @annemariefleming
      @annemariefleming 9 лет назад +16

      When they can't get a diana story there's always the latest weather scare story to fall back on. The weather will always be with us!

    • @JESK-lx4js
      @JESK-lx4js 8 лет назад +130

      +ejcmoorhouse The Independent is read by people who don't know who runs the country but are sure they're doing it wrong.

    • @ejcmoorhouse
      @ejcmoorhouse 8 лет назад +7

      JESK1985 I like that.

    • @nairpic7360
      @nairpic7360 4 года назад +4

      @@JESK-lx4js And let us not forget the independent is owned by KGB officer Alexander Lebedev.

  • @paulwartenberg8479
    @paulwartenberg8479 5 лет назад +85

    every sitcom always hopes for a moment or episode where a routine is scripted and performed so perfectly that everyone remembers it even 40 years on. This is arguably the funniest and best remembered bit from Yes (Prime) Minister. For good reason.

    • @vinnyganzano1930
      @vinnyganzano1930 Год назад +1

      Probably the finest political satire sitcom ever written and we Brits have written a few.

    • @KonradZielinski
      @KonradZielinski Год назад

      The other one for me is the reinforcements of good will line.

    • @jabirucru6970
      @jabirucru6970 9 месяцев назад +1

      Just like the why Britain was in the common market episode

  • @captpicard6894
    @captpicard6894 4 года назад +78

    What was so good about Yes, Minister and subsequently Yes, Prime Minister was the writing and acting was so spectacularly good. All three actors clearly thoroughly enjoyed working with each other, and also crucially all 3 actors really enjoyed playing their respective given characters.

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 Год назад +4

      It was that rare entertainment alchemy, the perfect conjunction of premise, writing, and cast.

  • @conorryan3035
    @conorryan3035 11 месяцев назад +18

    The professors used to show clips of this series to us when we studied Political Science in University to illustrate concepts taught in the classroom. As relevent and hilarious now as ever. Total gem of a show.

  • @Atif_Ph.D._Kate_Bush_Fan_Club
    @Atif_Ph.D._Kate_Bush_Fan_Club 2 года назад +33

    What writing ✍. What a cast. The 80's. What a decade for British comedy. RIP Paul Eddington, Derek Fowlds and Nigel Hawthorne. 💐. You are missed 😢 but never forgotten.

  • @stegatops1
    @stegatops1 10 лет назад +1774

    "The Scots are grumbling about their independance".
    " EVERYONE wants their independance minister.......until they run out of money!"
    As relevant today as it was then.

    • @adelarsen9776
      @adelarsen9776 7 лет назад +17

      More so today.

    • @CuboidCheese
      @CuboidCheese 6 лет назад +7

      randomguy8196 4 months and waiting

    • @comteroi9219
      @comteroi9219 6 лет назад +2

      @ Randomguy, no. Why? Because lots of History and political science journals, books, and papers that's why.

    • @seanmacuaiteir437
      @seanmacuaiteir437 6 лет назад +17

      The UK has actually always been unstable. For God's sake man, a huge chunk of it doesn't even want to BE in the UK, it's very polarized over Brexit etc. I could go on.

    • @seanmacuaiteir437
      @seanmacuaiteir437 6 лет назад +6

      There's half of NI, 23% of wales(according to a uGov poll), at this point over 50% of scots...that must add up to around 5 million yes which is a lot. It's not just people: it's a lot of land and natural resources too.

  • @WarrenWalter-d7u
    @WarrenWalter-d7u 8 месяцев назад +8

    This series presented some of the best dialog every written for tv and was beautifully delivered by a great cast.

  • @ibazulic
    @ibazulic 3 года назад +32

    I absolutely love it how Sir Nigel Hawthorne almost cracks up after the newspaper monologue.

  • @moramento22
    @moramento22 3 года назад +266

    I can confirm. I read The Guardian and I think I ought to run the country.

    • @BethB90
      @BethB90 3 года назад +50

      Morning Star reader here and I can confirm that I think the government of New Zealand should take control of the UK.

    • @si-5814
      @si-5814 2 года назад +6

      @@BethB90 and back then they thought it ought to be run by Russia!

    • @clairenoon4070
      @clairenoon4070 2 года назад +5

      @@si-5814 I'm fairly sure the previous comment was a joke.

    • @si-5814
      @si-5814 2 года назад +2

      @@clairenoon4070 I’m fairly sure it was a joke. I’m also fairly sure mine wasn’t.

    • @han-oq6bo
      @han-oq6bo 2 года назад +1

      @@si-5814 wasnt that the daily telegraph readers thinking Russia was actually the ruler.

  • @robertmcqueen289
    @robertmcqueen289 3 года назад +51

    Wonderful comedy. List still relevant today. You can see Nigel and Derek trying to hold back the laughter. Nigel even says prime twice, before the killer joke by Derek. They don't make this standard of comedy's anymore. May these three legends rest in peace. Never forgotten.

  • @TheMotherfer
    @TheMotherfer 10 лет назад +78

    My favorite part is at 1:33 when Paul talks about the Daily Telegraph. Nigel tries not to laugh, but gives a smile like "that was funny."

  • @JimWhitaker
    @JimWhitaker 3 года назад +38

    Bernard's "Did I really just say that?" look is the best.

    • @cisium1184
      @cisium1184 3 месяца назад

      Seems Bernard checks out Page 3 more often than he'd like to admit.

    • @steveweidig5373
      @steveweidig5373 2 месяца назад

      @@cisium1184 Either that, or he just remembered that at the time, a woman did run the country - Margaret Thatcher - and that the punchline, which was aimed at the page three stunna could just as well work for her...

  • @glensmillie5101
    @glensmillie5101 6 месяцев назад +12

    The calibre of dry wit here is brilliant, splendid scene gentlemen, simply splendid!

  • @davidrendall2461
    @davidrendall2461 4 года назад +40

    The genius that was Hawthorn and Eddington may have done the heavy lifting in YM/YPM but Fowlds held it together with so many beautifully delivered punchlines, some of the best ever in British Comedy . RIP Mr Derek.

  • @downunderrob
    @downunderrob 4 года назад +46

    Only just heard, Derek Fowlds has passed away!
    Now all these three talented Gentlemen have been taken from us.
    Thank you Bernard.👏👏😥

  • @maxmustermann1013
    @maxmustermann1013 2 года назад +24

    Whenever I see this show I'm quite fascinated how well the role of Bernard Woolley is written. As a supporting actor his time on this show is limited. But when his time comes, his sentences are the cherry on the cake.

    • @danieldickson8591
      @danieldickson8591 Год назад +4

      I don't think it's fair to characterize Bernard as a supporting character. Yes, the primary conflict is between Hacker and Humphrey, but Bernard is the their go-between, the one often caught in he middle, and the substitute for the audience in questioning what they say and do. His total screen time rivals the other two.

    • @RagnellAvalon
      @RagnellAvalon 2 месяца назад

      @@danieldickson8591 I'm actually suspicious that if you tallied it, especially after the first half of the first series where the amount of time Hacker is shown at home is greatly reduced, Bernard might have *the most* screentime, as he typically features in scenes as a duo or a trio, but scenes with only Hacker and Humphrey are relatively uncommon.

  • @PtolemyJones
    @PtolemyJones 3 года назад +20

    I love how they spread the good lines around on this show.

  • @peterweatherley7669
    @peterweatherley7669 3 года назад +19

    Notice in the last few seconds there’s a reflective pushbar on the door behind Bernard. See the script falling after his punchline? That’s one of the other two laughing his rear end off because that’s the first time he’s heard it delivered - they always did things in one take

  • @Cynwidion
    @Cynwidion 3 года назад +40

    A classic sketch made even funnier because Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds were both on the absolute edge of corpsing.

  • @tomwheeler2012
    @tomwheeler2012 Год назад +6

    That right there is pure British humor. Very reserved and understated like its an airplane flying below the radar and then out of nowhere ....amusing, amusing, amusing, bam zinger

  • @FranJames333
    @FranJames333 5 лет назад +38

    Just the funniest but absolutely cuttingly true analysis of the British media

  • @StakkerHumanoid84
    @StakkerHumanoid84 3 года назад +27

    Decades later, this show teaches all of us the understanding of government dealings without boring us to sleep. May Sir humphrey and PM Hacker Rest In Peace

  • @daleksw
    @daleksw 5 лет назад +738

    'Sun reader' that famous oxymoron.

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 4 года назад +63

      Sun looker-at-er.

    • @goldeagle8051
      @goldeagle8051 4 года назад +10

      It’s actually a contradictio in terminis since it consists of 2 words.

    • @TheNefastor
      @TheNefastor 4 года назад +5

      I didn't know you read photos.

    • @millwallholdings
      @millwallholdings 4 года назад +4

      @Shahid Khan Bit like Guardian and Daily Mirror then , bigger morons they are Love the Sun and they were right about Sniverpool Anything that winds lefties and Labour voters up is good with me #thesun

    • @millwallholdings
      @millwallholdings 4 года назад +1

      @Shahid Khan seems you are ok with being racist then ? is it cos im white

  • @JonathanNichollstechandsuch8
    @JonathanNichollstechandsuch8 5 лет назад +68

    And that, that’s how you do comedy.

  • @petersmit7650
    @petersmit7650 7 лет назад +56

    Nothing has changed in 40 years...Amazing.

    • @poppedweasel
      @poppedweasel 4 года назад +1

      We're leaving the EU/EEC. Now THAT's progress.

  • @arthurnibble4763
    @arthurnibble4763 4 года назад +10

    I love the way Nigel Hawthorne stops from laughing (just) but repeats the word "Prime" twice near the end before crossing it for Derek Fowlds to bang the punchline joyously into the net.

  • @sundareshvenugopal6575
    @sundareshvenugopal6575 4 года назад +12

    I think Bernard is the most relatable, most identifiable, and also the most underrated character of the three. He is the sort of chap who genuinely means well but is also either unable, or unwilling to do something about it. His predicament as exclaimed by him in his own words, the exact line escapes me, but related, to grabbing the bull by its horns. Like someone genuinely stuck between a rock and a har d place.

    • @piotrd.4850
      @piotrd.4850 3 года назад

      That exchange was bordeline autistic, better Sheldon Cooper :D

  • @ThePierre58
    @ThePierre58 2 года назад +37

    As a Daily Telegraph reader, the writers got it spot on.

  • @bobbieparry646
    @bobbieparry646 8 лет назад +257

    As a 14 year old I had a crush on Bernard. As a 19 year old I had a crush on Humphrey. As a 25 year old I can only hope that I have acquired some sense. But it seems unlikely.

    • @richardharrold9736
      @richardharrold9736 8 лет назад +46

      It's good to find a fellow mid-20-something actually watches these. Paul Eddington was such a distinguished chap.

    • @34jared
      @34jared 8 лет назад +16

      I watched them as a teen too. Sir Nigel, you will be happy to know, was either outed or came out a good ten-plus years ago. So there's hope for you.

    • @Ksamp313
      @Ksamp313 7 лет назад +8

      Both...he was outed (pretty much against his will, he was a VERY private person) and then he came out publicly when he couldn't avoid it.

    • @Rapscallion2009
      @Rapscallion2009 7 лет назад +28

      I always felt that was most unfair - what does his sexuality matter? He was paid to act, not sleep with anyone in particular.
      He was a great actor and played a blinding role in things such as "The Madness of King George", as well as Yes, Minister. And Demolition man, of course.

    • @goodman528
      @goodman528 7 лет назад +13

      I met the man the character Sir Humphreys was satirizing. He is actually even smarter in real life.

  • @pjnugent8198
    @pjnugent8198 3 года назад +32

    You could watch that scene over and over again and it never fades. Wonderful.

  • @trifontrifonov4297
    @trifontrifonov4297 10 лет назад +35

    Wow...30 years latter and it is still accurate and topical comedy...

    • @nathanparry8315
      @nathanparry8315 11 месяцев назад +4

      Now almost 40 years on it still holds true, but the sun no longer has page 3.

    • @josephclift3662
      @josephclift3662 9 месяцев назад

      ​@@nathanparry8315that was the only bit I read. I just wish it had been in braille

  • @kingcurry6594
    @kingcurry6594 7 лет назад +152

    And the Express is read by people who think that the EU runs the country, but would prefer to let Princess Diana do it.

    • @lorddarlo6194
      @lorddarlo6194 3 года назад +1

      The daily Star is read by people who can't understand what the EU is and The metro is neither read by anyone but by people who do the crossword bored on a Bus or Train

  • @Fr0st1989
    @Fr0st1989 8 месяцев назад +5

    Bernard's actor was about to break character and burst out laughing at the end xD

  • @Brownalebelly
    @Brownalebelly 4 года назад +8

    RIP Derek Fowlds. I loved you when I was a child watching Basil Brush and really enjoyed you in Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.

  • @nigelrg1
    @nigelrg1 2 года назад +6

    "Only a Civil Servant could have made that remark." Priceless! The best comedy/documentary series ever, in the English language (Who knows what other countries have produced? The French have some hilarious series). It's timeless.

  • @NPA1001
    @NPA1001 3 года назад +13

    Even the great Nigel Hawthorne almost corpses during this scene.

  • @paulrath7764
    @paulrath7764 3 года назад +7

    Bernard is the quintessential comedy straight-man, done to perfection.

  • @GudieveNing
    @GudieveNing 8 месяцев назад +2

    My late father's favourite show. He knew people in politics and they said the series was spot on about pretty much everything from the characters to the situations.

  • @Tiggermk4
    @Tiggermk4 9 месяцев назад +5

    If you watch carefully you can see a certain Sir Humphrey trying not to crack up in anticipation of the punchline.

  • @hindler
    @hindler 10 лет назад +19

    Love how Derek Fowlds couldn't keep a straight face at the end! :D

    • @rockym2931
      @rockym2931 3 года назад

      That has to be difficult in a comedy.

  • @frankb1
    @frankb1 Год назад +5

    I always go back to this video when I'm trying to figure out which British newspapers are which.

  • @JohnJohansen2
    @JohnJohansen2 3 года назад +8

    I actually remember when this series run on TV.
    Sadly it's still relevant.
    And, of course hysterical funny.

  • @readsomebooks666
    @readsomebooks666 5 лет назад +9

    If anyone's curious, the political leanings of each newspaper are as follows: left, centre-left, centre-right, right, right, far left, far right and The Sun.

    • @cygil1
      @cygil1 4 месяца назад

      The Sun is populist right. That occasionally puts it to the left of The Telegraph.

  • @solytix1854
    @solytix1854 6 лет назад +7

    I love Bernard's delivery of that line. Brilliant :-D

  • @tonyb9735
    @tonyb9735 5 лет назад +27

    This show hasn't aged, even after all these years. Comedy at its finest.

    • @jesseberg3271
      @jesseberg3271 4 года назад +5

      I'd say it's aged, it's just aged extremely well like a fine wine or cheese.

    • @schroecat1
      @schroecat1 6 месяцев назад

      @@jesseberg3271 Absolutely it's aged. A modern comedy series couldn't get away with telling the truth *and* poking fun at people the way this show does. All of the best comedy was made between the 60s and 90s, everyone becomes too precious after that.

  • @KingOfTheInterWebs
    @KingOfTheInterWebs 8 лет назад +326

    As a Guardian reader, this scene is too true. :P

    • @KingOfTheInterWebs
      @KingOfTheInterWebs 7 лет назад +29

      I wasn't exactly bragging per se. Either way, why out of interest? I can give a guess, being familiar with some of its flaws but I'm still curious.

    • @PugMaxer
      @PugMaxer 5 лет назад +25

      @@KingOfTheInterWebs
      It's run by neo Marxists intersectional ideologues

    • @montymf7429
      @montymf7429 5 лет назад +16

      @@PugMaxer I take it you read the Mail then?

    • @PugMaxer
      @PugMaxer 5 лет назад +11

      @@montymf7429
      No, the daily fail are nothing but dirty dirty smear merchants

    • @PugMaxer
      @PugMaxer 5 лет назад +3

      @@susanneyuk-pingpong8705
      I think a free market with suitable regulation to stop abuses is the ideal economic system with monopolies being broken up and the private owners being reimbursed for any losses it is their business that is broken up.
      The intersectional types take marx's teachings, but instead of dividing people up by class they do it by race/gender/sex ect... I don't see how my description is any way contradictory. I am a social libertarian, I think a free market is the ideal system but needs a little regulation to stop abuses, I also don't mind certain social programs to help people into the work force or those who legitimately can't work.
      Edit: I actually now agree with you more than I did then. 19/06/2019

  • @Emmareads15
    @Emmareads15 4 года назад +5

    This is still fresh and relevant comedy.
    Still better than most comedies on TV today, no contest.

  • @BigGator5
    @BigGator5 9 лет назад +54

    Good bye, Page 3 girl. :,(

  • @MagnificentFiend
    @MagnificentFiend 10 лет назад +413

    The overlooked gem here I think is ' _The Guardian_ is read by people who think they ought to run the country'. So many chips, so many shoulders.

    • @susanneyuk-pingpong8705
      @susanneyuk-pingpong8705 5 лет назад +40

      @TheSmithersy I don't think there are many of them. Most elites in this country own amounts of wealth you couldn't imagine. And the disparity is too high. There are many rich people in London. But those people aren't Liberal left voters. They're conservatives.
      I have a privately educated friend, he's a working class guy got in on a scholarship - all his rich friends are conservative.
      In short - You've been lied to by the Murdoch press/ Right-wing media.

    • @saoirsedeltufo7436
      @saoirsedeltufo7436 5 лет назад +17

      @TheSmithersy "metropolitan liberal elites" is such a meaningless phrase now, it gets thrown around as a buzzphrase to make a point which doesn't exist...

    • @saoirsedeltufo7436
      @saoirsedeltufo7436 5 лет назад +11

      TheSmithersy then say something to that effect, instead of a phrase which was distorted and biased from the start, and has lost much of its meaning

    • @saoirsedeltufo7436
      @saoirsedeltufo7436 5 лет назад +13

      TheSmithersy anyway, that’s wonderfully ironic, since the Tory mantra seems to be wealthy upper middle class (conservative) elites forcing the more left wing working class to do what they want

    • @saoirsedeltufo7436
      @saoirsedeltufo7436 5 лет назад +21

      TheSmithersy oh god, ‘SJW’ another meaningless buzzword. Can you point out how vicious Tory austerity was ‘shouted down’? Or are these ‘left leaning SJWs’ the UN, when they criticised the thousands of poor and disabled people who died on Universal Credit due to Tory cuts? I’m not sure if you think criticising human rights abuses is a bit lefty...

  • @Adewale.Adebimpe
    @Adewale.Adebimpe 10 лет назад +14

    OMG, laughing out so loud.."the only way to understand the press is to remember they pander to their readers prejudices.."

  • @Legacy76
    @Legacy76 14 лет назад +3

    When I was in law school, an Oxford-educated friend introduced me to this show. It was the highlight of my day to go home with him, grab a ruby and a pint, go to the flat, fire up the box, and watch Yes PM on the telly. Well, this is how he put it.
    I discovered that this show is perhaps the best written show I ever saw. It hold so true to the US, as well. Thank you, UK, for giving the world this show.

  • @mizzyroro
    @mizzyroro 3 года назад +41

    At that time, Maggie Thatcher ran the country. Gives that punchline a little more of a twist. Naughty Bernard.

    • @clairenoon4070
      @clairenoon4070 2 года назад +3

      The punchline had nothing to do with Margaret Thatcher. It was simply about The Sun having 'page 3' which always featured a topless woman.

    • @mizzyroro
      @mizzyroro 2 года назад +1

      @@clairenoon4070 that's your limited interpretation. Live with it.

    • @clairenoon4070
      @clairenoon4070 2 года назад +5

      @@mizzyroro No, it really isn't! I watched this series when it was first aired, I am university educated and reasonably intelligent, I am British and therefore understand British humour and British politics (including in the 1980s at the time of the programme), and the workings of the UK civil service. I have also worked for the civil service. I can assure you that neither I, nor anyone I know, would at the time have understood that joke to relate to Mrs Thatcher; it relates to the nature of The Sun newspaper. The joke would have been used if a man were PM at the time, and would have worked exactly the same, because it has nothing to do with who was actually PM.
      It is quite clear to me, reading so many of these comments, that much of the programme is now misunderstood or misinterpreted, for any combination of the following reasons: commenters aren't British and don't fully grasp British humour, or class (which is very relevant here in terms of language used and the type of humour), commenters aren't old enough to remember this period and are applying modern interpretations (crass ones) totally out of context.
      I just thank God I was able to watch and enjoy this programme the way it was intended to be, and within the context it was intended to be, pre-internet and without modern vulgarians who think they know it all (and know nothing) spoiling everything they touch.

    • @olefredrikskjegstad5972
      @olefredrikskjegstad5972 5 месяцев назад +3

      ​@@clairenoon4070 Respectfully, sir. Get over yourself.

    • @clairenoon4070
      @clairenoon4070 5 месяцев назад

      @@olefredrikskjegstad5972 Do, by all means, explain to me how a person might 'get over themselves'?
      Yet another millennial-style meaningless statement. Exactly the kind of vacuity I was talking about.

  • @decadencewhimsyandsarcasm
    @decadencewhimsyandsarcasm 5 лет назад +3

    Possibly my favorite clip of one of my favorite shows ever

  • @michaelbrown7142
    @michaelbrown7142 4 года назад +3

    This show was spot on, I wish I saw more of it when I lived in the UK.

  • @misterfunnybones
    @misterfunnybones 9 лет назад +49

    YM & YPM - the days when phones had cords & people read newspapers. Brilliantly written by Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn, & superbly portrayed by Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, & Derek Fowlds, et alia.

    • @eugenemorice3353
      @eugenemorice3353 9 лет назад +1

      +misterfunnybones
      I'm sure that I saw Nigel Hawthorne suppressing a chuckle ! Stuff of its time I guess but lovely all the same !!

    • @NickHarman
      @NickHarman 8 лет назад +1

      +Eugene Morice Yes I wonder if thats an in character suppress though as the actor would have known the lines already

    • @eugenemorice3353
      @eugenemorice3353 8 лет назад +3

      Don't think its entirely "in character" on this occasion. Either they're improvising a bit here and Nigel's getting the giggles or he simply knows what's coming !

    • @NickHarman
      @NickHarman 8 лет назад +5

      +Eugene Morice Then again Sir Humphrey was always fond of wit, his position made him have to conceal it but he would acknowledge it a little bit. A wry smile etc

    • @sailingkiel
      @sailingkiel 8 лет назад +1

      Have a look at the bloopers from Star Trek TNG, they constantly have the giggles and cannot shot.

  • @mrkeefor
    @mrkeefor 10 лет назад +10

    I know its coming but the last line always makes me laugh, its so well delivered.

  • @rc0ll
    @rc0ll 14 лет назад +8

    The reason why this joke works so well is because this show was G-rated, family-friendly viewing for the most part, so when you hear something that makes you do a double-take it works incredibly well. Same goes for the episode about the English channel tunnel where Hacker says "The president is not to bring that bitch with him!" It's actually a trick more tv writers should be aware of while they're writing scripts with overt crude humour.

  • @sillysod33
    @sillysod33 8 лет назад +22

    Absolute full on unstoppable genius!

  • @PlasmaMongoose
    @PlasmaMongoose 2 года назад +3

    It is sad to think that all three of these great actors are gone now.

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama Год назад +2

      And in true fashion, Bernard got the last line

  • @goatboy420
    @goatboy420 13 лет назад +9

    This is simply sublime. Thank you for putting it up here, so that others can share in such astonishingly fine writing, and performance.
    Like the very best music is builds steadily, improving with each beat, until the fabulous pay off. It really doesn't get any better than this.

    • @orkkojit
      @orkkojit 2 года назад +1

      Are you still alive

    • @goatboy420
      @goatboy420 2 года назад

      @@orkkojit
      I believe so…

    • @orkkojit
      @orkkojit 2 года назад +1

      @@goatboy420 woah damn I didn't expect you would still be using the same account

  • @maxbeale8186
    @maxbeale8186 2 года назад +13

    “The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country”, so bloody true

    • @CoercedJab
      @CoercedJab 2 года назад +1

      Notice how the BBC has pandered to everyone’s prejudice by pushing this joke on mainstream programming

    • @schroecat1
      @schroecat1 6 месяцев назад +1

      Sadly these days Guardian readers more or less *do*. Modern British Police arresting people for mild insults is straight out of The Guardians' tyrannical wish list.

  • @paulwartenberg8479
    @paulwartenberg8479 4 года назад +9

    Fowlds was able to provide one of the greatest punchlines in television history. He shall be missed.

  • @Kim-gv5bw
    @Kim-gv5bw 2 года назад +2

    I just love the way Bernard occasionally butts in with some (maybe inappropriate!) but utterly hysterical quip.

  • @guppy0112
    @guppy0112 5 лет назад +3

    Excellent! What a perfect way to break down the customers of the print Media businesses!

  • @DerekWilliamsMusic
    @DerekWilliamsMusic Год назад +1

    I bought the whole set of all the series. Brilliant script, brilliant acting.

  • @sanjek
    @sanjek 4 года назад +2

    RIP Mr Derek Fowlds, lovely man and brilliant actor, thank you for all the happy memories.

  • @sebastianvella8992
    @sebastianvella8992 5 лет назад +3

    SIMPLY ONE OF THE VERY BEST SATIRE/COMEDY SERIES EVER MADE. MY FAVOURITE SCENE IS WHEN THE PM IS MADE TO CHOOSE A BISHOP AND MEETS A VERY CYNICAL ANGLICAN ADVISER.

  • @SPLIMLETLET
    @SPLIMLETLET 12 лет назад +4

    I don't know how many times I have seen this, it never fails to crack me up.

  • @crossfire1605
    @crossfire1605 3 года назад +1

    Oh how painfully but brilliantly relevant this segment is 30+ years on!

  • @graemestarkey7524
    @graemestarkey7524 3 года назад +6

    Yes Minister/Prime Minister was always a sitcom with 3 main characters.
    Bernard was essential as the buffer between Jim and Sir Humphrey as well as a conduit of knowledge, whether received or given.
    Derek had so many good lines, and this may be the best of them.
    And to think, he used to work with his hand up a foxes arse!

  • @GallifreyanGinger
    @GallifreyanGinger 5 лет назад +15

    Even the masterful Sir Nigel Hawthorne can't keep from corpsing.

  • @dms3393
    @dms3393 9 лет назад +3

    Brilliant and still relevant after so many years! I love how towards the end their all trying not to ruin the take by laughing. I doubt I'd be able to.

  • @cruachan1191
    @cruachan1191 3 года назад +2

    Spectacular from Nigel Hawthorne. He is on the very edge of corpsing there and holds it together at the last second.

  • @VAANYA9
    @VAANYA9 3 года назад +4

    OMG. I grew up watching this sitcom. A masterpiece in its genre. If you ask me, these guys should be running the country.

    • @yakunats
      @yakunats 10 месяцев назад

      What newspapers do you read then?

    • @VAANYA9
      @VAANYA9 2 месяца назад

      ​@@yakunatsnone

  • @sputnik1315
    @sputnik1315 6 лет назад +8

    In my opinion the best tv sitcom

  • @davidpersad7000
    @davidpersad7000 3 года назад +3

    To find the vocabulary to describe the greatness of this show I would undoubtedly have to employ the services of Sir Humphrey. 😀 I believe the writers must have had within their possession a crystal ball that showed the future of politics. It is uncanny to say the least how politically relevant this Brit masterpiece is in today's world of politics.Thank you for the laughs but more importantly the education.Cheers.🙂

  • @JohnPap_Net
    @JohnPap_Net 3 года назад +3

    I remember watching this episode... I couldn't stop rolling on the floor laughing my heart out!!! 🤣🤣🤣

  • @davidjordan9759
    @davidjordan9759 Год назад +7

    No-one reads The Sun, they just look at the pictures.

  • @roberttaylor9296
    @roberttaylor9296 4 года назад +2

    RIP Derek Fowld’s. Thanks for one of the greatest lines ever.

  • @DraculasHenchwoman
    @DraculasHenchwoman 14 лет назад +10

    I love the way Bernard looks so abashed.

  • @ThinPicks
    @ThinPicks 10 месяцев назад +2

    The newspapers joke is delivered beautifully but it was actually a Dave Allen original, I'm sure he wouldn't have minded!😂

  • @malcolmcartlidge3743
    @malcolmcartlidge3743 6 лет назад +4

    Masterful timing, Bernard was always underrated in Yes, all three were comic geniuses.

  • @rogerparker9228
    @rogerparker9228 3 года назад +1

    I can go back to this sketch time and time again. Probably one of the funniest ever written imo

    • @DanBeech-ht7sw
      @DanBeech-ht7sw Год назад

      This one, "Don't tell him, Pike" and "what, with these feet?" from Porridge