Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are some of the finest comedy ever produced in the UK. Sir Humphrey's tongue-twisting speeches to avoid actually saying anything are superb.
Absolutely wonderful satire and depressingly accurate and apt even today. Along with The Thick Of It, I don't think there's ever been better political comedy
Correction - MORE relevant now! ...and also relevant to American politics As the (then) British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said - it's like a 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary - because in a sense it was - the writers said they dined with MPs who told them everything.
@@Eddy0042 absolutely! I work on Whitehall and when I started, my mother asked me if it was anything like yes, minister. I had to tell her that it was closer to the truth than I was comfortable with!
My god ! If you go down the 'YES MINISTER' rabbit hole you'll never get out ! Apparrently thatcher's favourite programme, it was very near the truth of how british government and politics actually operates. You'll love this programme ! Can't wait to see you watch these episodes !
@@martindunstan8043 they even did a skit with Maggie, Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne about her wanting to abolish economists. Oh and a Number 10 Downing Street cat was named Humphrey in honour of Nigel Hawthorne's character!
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister may have been filmed in the early 80'sm but it is just as relevant today. I have learned so many lessons simply by paying attention to what they say.
Ah, yes! How splendid indeed to encounter an astute American citizen with the refined discernment to appreciate the nuanced portrayal of our beloved corridors of power here in Whitehall. One is, of course, delighted-nay, enchanted-to learn that these subtle, occasionally Byzantine, machinations of British governance have crossed the Atlantic with such aplomb! It is, I must say, a testament both to the endurance of British wit and to the inexhaustible curiosity of our friends across the pond. Permit me to express, in no uncertain terms, that your intellectual engagement with these depictions brings profound joy to those of us who, from time to time, observe the interplays of policy and politicking. May your viewings offer you both diversion and, if I may dare to hope, enlightenment. As we in the Civil Service might say, you are thus acquiring a most robust understanding of the subtle art of governance-a pursuit I dare say is both honorable and, if one might add, jolly good fun.
The writing in this comedy series is absolute top notch. Pure gold. Great acting too. Having worked in Whitehall at the Cabinet Office, I confirm that it's not entirely fiction either 😂.
Nigel Hawthorne won 4 BAFTAs for playing Sir Humphrey beating out Paul Eddington on each occasion. I seem to recall him starting one acceptance speech with "Sorry Minister". I think he genuinely felt bad about always winning and poor Paul Eddington, who was equally brilliant in his role as Jim Hacker, always missing out.
@@jjc5407 I always felt sorry for Derek Fowlds for never getting the same level of recognition for his superb acting as well. BTW for our US friends, he is the actor asking the questions in this short clip.
Every political scenario that happens today, anywhere in the world, will have been covered in the Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister episodes. The writers had fantastic ability and lots of help from political insiders and civil servants, pure gold. You have got to watch the episode "The Key".
@@alisonalder7317 there are so few of them thougn, i think the need to know was one episode, the Key is hilarious, so is the one where Humphrey is under investigation by the secret services. Also the episodes where Humphrey saves Hacker from a.mess.
@@alisonalder7317 And some times Hacker comes out on top with Humphrey I think my favourite scene though is where all the foregin dignitaries are coming in for an event and they are having so many problem before they get into any diplomacy.
One of the best and most educational British comedies there has ever been. Should be required viewing for each generation so they can learn how Government works (spoiler alert: it doesn’t at least not for you).
The key dynamic of "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" is between the trio of the Minister / Prime Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington), his Permanent Secretary / Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne) and the Minister's / Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Bernard is a civil servant like Sir Humphrey, but younger and a bit idealistic, in addition to which he has the difficult double role of maintaining his loyalty and confidentiality to both Hacker and Sir Humphrey. He also has some truly brilliant comedic moments -- though the writing is stellar throughout both series for all characters. I heartily recommend watching all of it. It's 40 years old and still relevant apart from the occasional reference to Cold War era politics. In this scene, Sir Humphrey and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office instruct Bernard in how to respond to reports of a brewing crisis in the fictional British dependency of St George's Island in the Indian Ocean.
If you get the chance, watch Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, you will not be disappointed. Even not to react to, just to watch in your own time. It’s 40 years old, but still relevant and still hilarious. The joke over here about it is that it’s a ‘funny documentary’.
I could not agree more, although I would hope he does reactions to them, even if he can only up then to patreon. Knowing how disinterested he generally is to politics (and I get why), the series really are a satire of exactly why so many of us feel it's almost futile to care about, whilst being hilarious
I, as a Dane, watched this 40+ years ago on national tv. It cut to bone of how politic operates in a casual and easygoing style. And the "monologues" of Sir Humphrey are the icing on the cake 🎉🎉😂
If you're thinking of British politics, there's always Rik Mayall in The New Statesman. His character was called Alan B'Stard, to give you a flavour of what you'd be in for 😂
Brilliant series. Timeless comedy and satire. Still very relevant today and probably always will be. As others have already said, it's one of the greatest shows ever.
Absolutely brilliant show, a real gem, going down the political route I'd recommend you also react to 'The New Statesman' from the 80's/90's which starred Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard MP.
@@mral8145 Why do we vote for people we know are trying every ploy to deceive us in order to gain power and where rhetoric, platitudes, spin doctor scripts and generalizations [used to avoid difficult questions] are now considered the norm....What will be next.
A bit of background for you. The two older guys are senior civil servants in Whitehall. The younger guy is Bernard, a junior civil servant. Sir Humphrey (played magnificently by Sir Nigel Hawthorne) is Bernard's boss and 'mentor'. They both work for the Prime Minister, Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington, Hacker is a politician who's only real concern is getting his picture on the front page of the newspapers. The show features the 'cut and thrust' of permanent civil servants against politicians, who are usually in the job for 5 years or so, before an election is held and either a new government is elected or the sitting Government win, but ministers lose their jobs in a cabinet reshuffle. This is one of the sharpest, well written and brilliantly acted sitcoms ever.
This show was former PM Maggie Thatcher's favorite show bc it was so oncredibly spot on how the civil service want to run the show. Maggie "the iron lady" didn't let them. She was PM during the show's run & as I say, loved it.
I think this is one, Queen Boomer would enjoy. Clever, clean and witty comedy. It basically confirms that the elected Ministers that come and go are just frontmen and the brains of the operation are the civil service, who work behind the scenes to run and improve the country. Much the same as the US Federal Civil Service and other public sector workers you have in the US. 🎉. Hope you enjoy, this is one of my favourites
It was a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, though I'm not sure that sounds like much of a recommendation. Nevertheless, YM and YPM remain fucking BRILLIANT.
A Quizzer (with geography, both physical and human as one of her strongest subjects) reacts: 1 - Upper Volta is now called Burkina Faso. It's a landlocked country in the west of the continent, lying to the north of Togo, Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast. 2 - The capital of Chad is N'Djamena. 3 - The working language of Mali is French, although other languages are spoken in localised populations within the country. 4 - The current president of Peru is Dina Boluarte. 5 - Cameroon doesn't have a national religion. Most of the country's population practices Christianity, followed by Islam. France had many, many colonies in west Africa.
The first series "Yes Minister" and this series "Yes Prime Minister" [starts when Hacker (who was a minister) becomes Prime Minister and Bernard is his personal secretary, the other two are heads of the civil service, Bernard's bosses] are really good and accurate in the portrayal of government and politics but in a funny satirical way. These three are the 'civil servants' who run the show behind the scenes.
The difference between the UK civil service and the US system is that it doesn't change significantly when a different party wins the election. They are career civil servants, not elected or appointed by the Government, and serve whoever gets elected and should be politically neutral. This means that they had a reputation of being the real people that ran the country and ensured stability by stopping politicians doing stupid things and breaking the law, starting WW3 etc. They also help them navigate the complexities of the British parliamentary system and the unwritten constitution as well as providing advice. This is still true up to a point (see what happened in the UK when Covid arrived and many civil servants weren't around to restrain ministers) but UK Governments nowadays do tend to bring in more of their own people than they used to. I'll also add that is the reason that when a UK party wins the election they take over the very next day. There's not the two month wait that occurs in the US.
Talking of muppetry, Nigel Hawthorne, and the " Madness of King George ", it was based upon a stage play, " The Madness of King George III ". But, it was decided to drop the 'III' part in the film, because it was felt that US audiences would not watch it, if they thought that they had already missed the first two episodes in the franchise.
The one about salami slicing across Europe and nuclear deterrents ...still very apt! So hilarious, I re-watch both Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister regularly - here in Blighty, it would seem not much changes! Hope you give the full series a go!
Still just as funny and relevant even after this time. This was obviously a major inspiration for The Thick of It. Something to do when you have finished that show. Both 'Sir Humphrey' and 'Malcolm Tucker' have entered the language of British politics. Two very different styles of manipulation.
Thee most underrated comedy ever. Absolute classic. Brilliantly written by Anthony Jay and brilliantly acted by all the actors. Written in the 80's but just the same today. As you say this could just as easily be about American politics and 'The four stage strategy' part. It sums governments response to COVID in a nutshell.
Yes Minister and Yes Primeminister were both way before my time but it's so so good. Please react to them when you get time. You won't regret it. Arguably two of the best comedies ever produced.
This show is amazing. It amazing how relevant it still feels. I would watch the shit out of any reaction to it. I can’t find anyone on RUclips who has done the entire show.
Definitely one of the greatest pieces of comedy writing from the UK. Was regularly watched by Margaret Thatcher who said it was very much like the Civil Service.
This show is so well written. They sent this show in Norway in the 90's, and I bought the whole series 10 years ago. One of my favorites, and I'm sure you're gonna love it. You are also correct that a lot of it applies today.
If you develop a taste for British political satire, may I suggest another very clever, but somewhat darker, program, and that is the original "House of Cards" with the wonderful Ian Richardson. Though I did enjoy the Spacey version, the first is a true classic. On a side note, I grew up on "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" and always loved them. When I was a very silly fourteen year old schoolboy, I actually found Nigel Hawthorn's telephone number and called him up (it was in a book called "Who's Who"). He could have asked me who the hell I thought I was and hung up on me but no, he was utterly charming and polite and seemed genuinely happy to chat for a few minutes. Such a lovely man as a well as a great actor.
You are never disappointed with this programme! Margaret Thatcher said that it was her favourite programme and watching it was like being back in the office!
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are peak writing. Beyond clever. Obviously the progenitor for "The Thick Of It" too, but as it's slightly slower paced I think it's easier to follow if you're not familiar with how the Westminster political system works. Would be fantastic to see you do the whole series.
The Thick of It was the potty mouthed version of this. Mrs Thatcher loved this show as she said it was SO CLOSE to the truth on how the civil service and its leaders operate. You should do the entire Series of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister. Politicians and the machinations of the 'government' are the same all over the World. You'd love it.
One of the remarkable things about Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister is that the political satire aspect of it is largely just as relevant today as it was when the show was written 40 years ago. There's a great bit of dialogue in one episode about how politicians respond to press questions, which I still see real politicians doing even today. It goes something like: "Have something to say and say it, whatever they ask you. Pay no attention to the question, just make your own statement. If they ask again, say 'that's not the question' or 'the real question is...' and then make another point of your own."
The one thing about Yes Minister that always holds true... Its just as applicable now as it's ever been. Seriously - check out the other stuff from the series, it's all awesome.
The actor next to Nigel Hawthorne was Donald Pickering, who starred in many films, tv series and comedies, playing either cold assassins or effete aristocrats, military officers, high-ranking civil servants and on one occasion an alien masquerading as a human airline pilot. His chilly patrician voice and his physiognomy were his trademark brand.
Many thanks for the vid and glad you enjoyed YPM. The rumours are that it was largely informed by actual occurrences, with scripts inputted from an employee of Margaret Thatcher at the time, in Downing Street (UK Prime Minister's residence)
You should watch so much more of this show. It's one of my favourite British sitcoms of all time. It really does stand the test of time as well. The funniest clip I would say is 'who reads the papers?' Love your reactions mate. Keep up the amazing work
Thatcher loved this programme - and it proves the system we have is broken - and she knew the system - an utter condemnation of politicians AND especially unellected advisers.
This, as been commented by so many already, IS one of the very best written UK comedies, especially on that topic matter, as in Goverment. Both this one as well as "Yes Primeminister" have been said and commented in series documentaries by members and staff of Parliament, that, well this is how it all works. How did they know what happens behind the scenes and such? Pure brilliant writing and acting by everyone. As been said below and here in comments: Mrs Boomer would love the whole series. The things these people get up to.
This comedy began as 'Yes Minister' and then 'Yes Prime Minister'. Even though it first aired decades ago, it hasn't dated as the dialogue is just as relevant in today's world.
Yes Minister and the sequel Yes Prime Minister were the peak of subtle political satire and the reason they still feel relevant is the old adage "governments change, the lies stay the same"...
Glad you've found these two series. Yes Minister follows the career of Hacker (Paul Eddinton) a cabinet minister. And sir Humphrey who is his departmental secretary. The second series starts with Sir Humphrey being promoted to the head of the civil service, reporting to the PM. Then Hacker inadvertently becomes the PM, so they're back in action together. Jump into the rabbit hole ASAP. You'll not regret it. There was no third series, because during the second series paul Eddington was already seriously ill, and was too far gone with the terminal illness to make a third series.
My favourite comedy of all time. So well written. I wish you'd watch this bud. I know you don't do politics but this insanely well written and still holds up today.
This show is 40 years old. It is timeless because it deals with practices which are centuries old and remain today. Do yourself a favour and do a box set. You’ll find yourself laughing even though you will be fully aware that you are looking at the scary truth.
Looking forward to the reactions from binge watching both Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister. Always rates highly in sit-com comparisons. The scriptwriting is top class & Hawthorne's delivery is awesome.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime-minister are timeless. The show could be set in any era and speaks to the interaction of Politicians and the Civil Service that supports them. Well worth time time to watch them all.
This is a BBC TV series from about 20-30 years ago and is so close to reality about how the UK government and the British Civil Service work. It was put out on a DVD. You start with “Yes Minister” and then “Yes Prime Minister” with two Xmas Specials. It is very relevant to the UK and American politics - still how it works today. It has not really dated, it was one of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite TV programs. I think the only show that was as good and cleverly written was the “Black Adder” series, another absolutely brilliant series.
Yes Minister ran for three seasons and one Christmas Special from 1980 to 1984, and it revolved around Jim Hacker played by the great Paul Eddington, the Minister for Administrative Affairs and his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby (who you saw in this clip) played by Nigel Hawthorne. Then at the Christmas Special Hacker becomes Prime Minister, and Yes Prime Minister is the sequel, which this clip comes from. They made two seasons of Yes Prime Minister.
You will love Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister. One of the greatest of all British comedy series and the perfect primer for undertanding the unspoken battle and codependancy between bureacratic institutionalism and political desire for power and advancement. A universal theme that never ages.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are some of the finest comedy ever produced in the UK. Sir Humphrey's tongue-twisting speeches to avoid actually saying anything are superb.
Absolutely wonderful satire and depressingly accurate and apt even today. Along with The Thick Of It, I don't think there's ever been better political comedy
Margaret Thatcher said the 2 shows were more like a documentary than a comedy.
Always loved those rare times Sir Humphrey gets his comeuppance, and he realises his well laid plans have collapsed.
About time we got to Yes, Minister/Yes, Minister! Brilliant stuff!😊
It's funny cos it's true
You’ve gone down a rabbit hole with this show! It’s fucking genius and every bit as relevant as it was 40 years ago!
Utterly timeless
Correction - MORE relevant now!
...and also relevant to American politics
As the (then) British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said - it's like a 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary - because in a sense it was - the writers said they dined with MPs who told them everything.
@@Eddy0042 absolutely! I work on Whitehall and when I started, my mother asked me if it was anything like yes, minister. I had to tell her that it was closer to the truth than I was comfortable with!
they knew politics is full of con men fooling the gullible, they should do one on religion too
100% agree. Absolute genius. I am going to revisit this myself. Looking forward to more reactions.
One of the best shows ever written. Really clever & bloody hilarious.
Although slightly scary (or at least frustrating) that most of it is probably accurate...
@KitsyX Definitely 😂
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are the most insightful and cleverest comedies ever written, even after 40 years they're still relevant
Absolutely still relevant, just been re-watching the series and nothing has changed, apart from Brexit.
I love this documentary series 🎉
As a random Swedish guy I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the UK for my favourite show ever. No contest.
Finally!!!! ❤❤
Do the whole series. Its only 18 episodes. Can't go wrong man!
And then Yes Prime Minister
@irreverend_ and don't forget the Party Games Christmas Special, to bridge the gap between the two universes 😉
It's 21 episodes and a special, plus 16 of Yes Prime Minister in fact, but that just gives us longer to enjoy the reactions 🙂
It's worth watching all of Yes Mnister. it is probably the smartest comedy ever made and IMO one of the very best.
Quite tricky to get into though, and a hyper-focused on British politics. I think it's better to start with Yes, Prime Minister for an American.
Yaaaaaaassss! This show looks boring but it is absolutely SAVAGE, and a great education in how politics works!
Also, first!
Indeed. It's a more grown-up, more intelligent and more subtle version of 'The Thick of it', which followed years later.
My god ! If you go down the 'YES MINISTER' rabbit hole you'll never get out ! Apparrently thatcher's favourite programme, it was very near the truth of how british government and politics actually operates. You'll love this programme ! Can't wait to see you watch these episodes !
Yes,it was a favourite of hers,I remember her saying so when interviewed by Michael Aspel.
So much so she suspected the show had informers inside Downing Street as it was so close to home at times.
@@lordomacron3719 She was right. The producers of the show admitted they had someone on the inside.
@@martindunstan8043 they even did a skit with Maggie, Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne about her wanting to abolish economists. Oh and a Number 10 Downing Street cat was named Humphrey in honour of Nigel Hawthorne's character!
yes Minister and yes Prime Minister are probably the best written comedy shows ever produced in the UK
As a non-Brit I’d say best in the world, the show is truly epic
Oh this series is a classic. You can and should milk this for dozens of videos.
Almost every scene is reaction worthy.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister may have been filmed in the early 80'sm but it is just as relevant today. I have learned so many lessons simply by paying attention to what they say.
Yes Minister was earlier 80s, but Yes Prime Minister was late 80s.
Ah, yes! How splendid indeed to encounter an astute American citizen with the refined discernment to appreciate the nuanced portrayal of our beloved corridors of power here in Whitehall. One is, of course, delighted-nay, enchanted-to learn that these subtle, occasionally Byzantine, machinations of British governance have crossed the Atlantic with such aplomb! It is, I must say, a testament both to the endurance of British wit and to the inexhaustible curiosity of our friends across the pond.
Permit me to express, in no uncertain terms, that your intellectual engagement with these depictions brings profound joy to those of us who, from time to time, observe the interplays of policy and politicking. May your viewings offer you both diversion and, if I may dare to hope, enlightenment. As we in the Civil Service might say, you are thus acquiring a most robust understanding of the subtle art of governance-a pursuit I dare say is both honorable and, if one might add, jolly good fun.
I read that in Nigel Hawthorne's voice. HAHAHA
Sir Humphrey is that you ?
You're not related to Sir Humphrey, by any chance ? 😉😂
BEST COMMENT EVER.
!!! Well done sir.
Oh I say dingdong
The writing in this comedy series is absolute top notch. Pure gold. Great acting too. Having worked in Whitehall at the Cabinet Office, I confirm that it's not entirely fiction either 😂.
Nigel Hawthorne won 4 BAFTAs for playing Sir Humphrey beating out Paul Eddington on each occasion. I seem to recall him starting one acceptance speech with "Sorry Minister". I think he genuinely felt bad about always winning and poor Paul Eddington, who was equally brilliant in his role as Jim Hacker, always missing out.
I love the episode where they take Sir Humphrey’s key for No 10 off him
@@jjc5407 I always felt sorry for Derek Fowlds for never getting the same level of recognition for his superb acting as well.
BTW for our US friends, he is the actor asking the questions in this short clip.
Every political scenario that happens today, anywhere in the world, will have been covered in the Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister episodes.
The writers had fantastic ability and lots of help from political insiders and civil servants, pure gold.
You have got to watch the episode "The Key".
I was just going to mention 'The Key'. possibly the best ever episode. I always enjoyed the ones where Jim outsmarted Sir Humphrey.
@@alisonalder7317 there are so few of them thougn, i think the need to know was one episode, the Key is hilarious, so is the one where Humphrey is under investigation by the secret services.
Also the episodes where Humphrey saves Hacker from a.mess.
@@Jason_L10 yes, that's the point. Sir Humphrey almost always comes out on top.
@@alisonalder7317 And some times Hacker comes out on top with Humphrey
I think my favourite scene though is where all the foregin dignitaries are coming in for an event and they are having so many problem before they get into any diplomacy.
I love The Key but it's truly enjoyable and cathartic after watching previous episodes, after you get to know Sir Humphrey better.
One of the best and most educational British comedies there has ever been. Should be required viewing for each generation so they can learn how Government works (spoiler alert: it doesn’t at least not for you).
The key dynamic of "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" is between the trio of the Minister / Prime Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington), his Permanent Secretary / Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne) and the Minister's / Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Bernard is a civil servant like Sir Humphrey, but younger and a bit idealistic, in addition to which he has the difficult double role of maintaining his loyalty and confidentiality to both Hacker and Sir Humphrey. He also has some truly brilliant comedic moments -- though the writing is stellar throughout both series for all characters. I heartily recommend watching all of it. It's 40 years old and still relevant apart from the occasional reference to Cold War era politics.
In this scene, Sir Humphrey and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office instruct Bernard in how to respond to reports of a brewing crisis in the fictional British dependency of St George's Island in the Indian Ocean.
Humphrey=sigma enigma, hacker=alpha male, Bernard=beta male
It's Bernard's job to make sure the "chips" stay up
Probably the best written political satire ever. Its always been relevant to politics today and in future.
YES PLEASE. Yes Minister is one of the all time greats.
The mature and wiser grandfather of The Thick Of It.
Malcolm Tucker in slippers.
@@radarlockeify Except Yes Minister is the civil service controlling politicians, whereas TTOI is press officers controlling politicians
@@framebadger Its more fast moving, and cruel, reflecting social medias affect on politics
@@msimms-lp5qw yes, and also yes minister assumes that various people are highly competent - ttoi assumes everyone's incompetent.
If you get the chance, watch Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, you will not be disappointed. Even not to react to, just to watch in your own time. It’s 40 years old, but still relevant and still hilarious.
The joke over here about it is that it’s a ‘funny documentary’.
I could not agree more, although I would hope he does reactions to them, even if he can only up then to patreon. Knowing how disinterested he generally is to politics (and I get why), the series really are a satire of exactly why so many of us feel it's almost futile to care about, whilst being hilarious
I, as a Dane, watched this 40+ years ago on national tv.
It cut to bone of how politic operates in a casual and easygoing
style. And the "monologues" of Sir Humphrey are the icing
on the cake 🎉🎉😂
Best political comedy ever.
If you're thinking of British politics, there's always Rik Mayall in The New Statesman. His character was called Alan B'Stard, to give you a flavour of what you'd be in for 😂
Brilliant series. Timeless comedy and satire. Still very relevant today and probably always will be. As others have already said, it's one of the greatest shows ever.
Absolutely brilliant show, a real gem, going down the political route I'd recommend you also react to 'The New Statesman' from the 80's/90's which starred Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard MP.
This wonderful political comedy is so real it is closer to a documentary and that fact is chilling.
I work in Whitehall and can support this statement!
@@mral8145 Why do we vote for people we know are trying every ploy to deceive us in order to gain power and where rhetoric, platitudes, spin doctor scripts and generalizations [used to avoid difficult questions] are now considered the norm....What will be next.
You should do a whole series of it. Glorious and the basic principles of the comedy have not changed, even if the protagonists have.
A bit of background for you.
The two older guys are senior civil servants in Whitehall. The younger guy is Bernard, a junior civil servant. Sir Humphrey (played magnificently by Sir Nigel Hawthorne) is Bernard's boss and 'mentor'. They both work for the Prime Minister, Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington, Hacker is a politician who's only real concern is getting his picture on the front page of the newspapers. The show features the 'cut and thrust' of permanent civil servants against politicians, who are usually in the job for 5 years or so, before an election is held and either a new government is elected or the sitting Government win, but ministers lose their jobs in a cabinet reshuffle. This is one of the sharpest, well written and brilliantly acted sitcoms ever.
This show was former PM Maggie Thatcher's favorite show bc it was so oncredibly spot on how the civil service want to run the show. Maggie "the iron lady" didn't let them. She was PM during the show's run & as I say, loved it.
I think this is one, Queen Boomer would enjoy. Clever, clean and witty comedy.
It basically confirms that the elected Ministers that come and go are just frontmen and the brains of the operation are the civil service, who work behind the scenes to run and improve the country. Much the same as the US Federal Civil Service and other public sector workers you have in the US. 🎉. Hope you enjoy, this is one of my favourites
Probably one of the best situation comedy shows ever produced! It was Prime Minister Margret Thatcher's favourite TV show.
It's not a sitcom, it's a documentary
It was a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, though I'm not sure that sounds like much of a recommendation. Nevertheless, YM and YPM remain fucking BRILLIANT.
A Quizzer (with geography, both physical and human as one of her strongest subjects) reacts:
1 - Upper Volta is now called Burkina Faso. It's a landlocked country in the west of the continent, lying to the north of Togo, Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
2 - The capital of Chad is N'Djamena.
3 - The working language of Mali is French, although other languages are spoken in localised populations within the country.
4 - The current president of Peru is Dina Boluarte.
5 - Cameroon doesn't have a national religion. Most of the country's population practices Christianity, followed by Islam.
France had many, many colonies in west Africa.
Thank you for sharing your answers!
The first series "Yes Minister" and this series "Yes Prime Minister" [starts when Hacker (who was a minister) becomes Prime Minister and Bernard is his personal secretary, the other two are heads of the civil service, Bernard's bosses] are really good and accurate in the portrayal of government and politics but in a funny satirical way.
These three are the 'civil servants' who run the show behind the scenes.
Yes Minister is possibly the sharpest satire ever, and its so accurate
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are well worth your time, even now 40 years later they still fit with what is happening.
Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister is one of the most beloved UK shows. It still manages to hold up even though its closer to 45 years old.
The difference between the UK civil service and the US system is that it doesn't change significantly when a different party wins the election. They are career civil servants, not elected or appointed by the Government, and serve whoever gets elected and should be politically neutral. This means that they had a reputation of being the real people that ran the country and ensured stability by stopping politicians doing stupid things and breaking the law, starting WW3 etc. They also help them navigate the complexities of the British parliamentary system and the unwritten constitution as well as providing advice.
This is still true up to a point (see what happened in the UK when Covid arrived and many civil servants weren't around to restrain ministers) but UK Governments nowadays do tend to bring in more of their own people than they used to.
I'll also add that is the reason that when a UK party wins the election they take over the very next day. There's not the two month wait that occurs in the US.
The show is timeless. It’ll be just as relevant in 40 years
There are those who say "Yes Minister/Prime Minister" are political comedies & there are those who insist they are documentaries.
Talking of muppetry, Nigel Hawthorne, and the " Madness of King George ", it was based upon a stage play, " The Madness of King George III ". But, it was decided to drop the 'III' part in the film, because it was felt that US audiences would not watch it, if they thought that they had already missed the first two episodes in the franchise.
One of the best sitcoms to come out of the uk.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister is the pinnacle of British comedy! The best of the best!!
It's timeless. You should watch the whole thing. It's so relevant to politics and will never age.
The one about salami slicing across Europe and nuclear deterrents ...still very apt! So hilarious, I re-watch both Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister regularly - here in Blighty, it would seem not much changes! Hope you give the full series a go!
This was arguably the best comedy series EVER! I have the whole set on dvd and really must watch them again. Absolutely timeless.
Still just as funny and relevant even after this time.
This was obviously a major inspiration for The Thick of It. Something to do when you have finished that show.
Both 'Sir Humphrey' and 'Malcolm Tucker' have entered the language of British politics. Two very different styles of manipulation.
Thee most underrated comedy ever. Absolute classic. Brilliantly written by Anthony Jay and brilliantly acted by all the actors. Written in the 80's but just the same today. As you say this could just as easily be about American politics and 'The four stage strategy' part. It sums governments response to COVID in a nutshell.
Nigel Hawthorn was also in Demolition Man with Sylvester Stalone and Wesley Snipes.
This show was written by people VERY close to the government, and they often rewrote the script just before filming to make it up to date.
Yes Minister and Yes Primeminister were both way before my time but it's so so good. Please react to them when you get time. You won't regret it. Arguably two of the best comedies ever produced.
This show is amazing. It amazing how relevant it still feels. I would watch the shit out of any reaction to it. I can’t find anyone on RUclips who has done the entire show.
Definitely one of the greatest pieces of comedy writing from the UK. Was regularly watched by Margaret Thatcher who said it was very much like the Civil Service.
This show is so well written. They sent this show in Norway in the 90's, and I bought the whole series 10 years ago. One of my favorites, and I'm sure you're gonna love it. You are also correct that a lot of it applies today.
You should watch the "Why Britain joined the EU" one
They called it the EEC back then of course before it morphed into the EU but it’s still ruddy hilarious!
British politics and Gov are still very much like this. This show is about 40 yrs old and nothing has changed in all those years.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are the epitome of intelligent British comedy. Brilliant writing and cast perfectly.
Amazing series King, this should definitely be on your watch list, its genius comedy.
Remember, this is not a TV show. It is a documentary.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are clever and funny, and well acted. Think you and the Missus would enjoy.
If you develop a taste for British political satire, may I suggest another very clever, but somewhat darker, program, and that is the original "House of Cards" with the wonderful Ian Richardson. Though I did enjoy the Spacey version, the first is a true classic. On a side note, I grew up on "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" and always loved them. When I was a very silly fourteen year old schoolboy, I actually found Nigel Hawthorn's telephone number and called him up (it was in a book called "Who's Who"). He could have asked me who the hell I thought I was and hung up on me but no, he was utterly charming and polite and seemed genuinely happy to chat for a few minutes. Such a lovely man as a well as a great actor.
Brilliant show. And it describe all politicians everywhere ... Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, well worth a watch.
You are never disappointed with this programme! Margaret Thatcher said that it was her favourite programme and watching it was like being back in the office!
I've been hoping you'd discover this show. One of the GOAT sitcoms
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are peak writing. Beyond clever. Obviously the progenitor for "The Thick Of It" too, but as it's slightly slower paced I think it's easier to follow if you're not familiar with how the Westminster political system works.
Would be fantastic to see you do the whole series.
OMG< this is classic British humour. I am happy you are giving it a go :) Love to you and the family x :)
Nigel, travelled the world and in every country people would come up to him and ask " how come you know exactly how my country is run?"
The Thick of It was the potty mouthed version of this. Mrs Thatcher loved this show as she said it was SO CLOSE to the truth on how the civil service and its leaders operate. You should do the entire Series of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister. Politicians and the machinations of the 'government' are the same all over the World. You'd love it.
Best comedy ever written & the cast was spot on.
One of the remarkable things about Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister is that the political satire aspect of it is largely just as relevant today as it was when the show was written 40 years ago.
There's a great bit of dialogue in one episode about how politicians respond to press questions, which I still see real politicians doing even today. It goes something like:
"Have something to say and say it, whatever they ask you. Pay no attention to the question, just make your own statement. If they ask again, say 'that's not the question' or 'the real question is...' and then make another point of your own."
I'm glad your covering this. It's brilliant & exactly like today's Politics.
KB, you've been on a solid gold roll for the last month or two. Keep it up
One of the best written shows of all time and somehow still true 40 years later
Absolutely love this show and so glad you've finally discovered it
The one thing about Yes Minister that always holds true... Its just as applicable now as it's ever been. Seriously - check out the other stuff from the series, it's all awesome.
This is a classic , I seriously recomend you put it on the ever growing list of watching the whole thing
You have to react to the whole series. It was made 40 years ago and it’s just as true today.
The actor next to Nigel Hawthorne was Donald Pickering, who starred in many films, tv series and comedies, playing either cold assassins or effete aristocrats, military officers, high-ranking civil servants and on one occasion an alien masquerading as a human airline pilot. His chilly patrician voice and his physiognomy were his trademark brand.
Many thanks for the vid and glad you enjoyed YPM. The rumours are that it was largely informed by actual occurrences, with scripts inputted from an employee of Margaret Thatcher at the time, in Downing Street (UK Prime Minister's residence)
Just bought the box set on DVD. The kind of comedy that verges on art. Can watch them again and again.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's a classic! US and UK politicians.. Same people, different jobs titles
if Yes Prime Minister seems to describe American politics, that just means America learned from us
You should watch so much more of this show. It's one of my favourite British sitcoms of all time. It really does stand the test of time as well. The funniest clip I would say is 'who reads the papers?'
Love your reactions mate. Keep up the amazing work
Yes prime ministers and yes ministers are two of the best comedies written, and 40 year later, are still very relevant
Thatcher loved this programme - and it proves the system we have is broken - and she knew the system - an utter condemnation of politicians AND especially unellected advisers.
This, as been commented by so many already, IS one of the very best written UK comedies, especially on that topic matter, as in Goverment. Both this one as well as "Yes Primeminister" have been said and commented in series documentaries by members and staff of Parliament, that, well this is how it all works. How did they know what happens behind the scenes and such? Pure brilliant writing and acting by everyone. As been said below and here in comments:
Mrs Boomer would love the whole series. The things these people get up to.
This comedy began as 'Yes Minister' and then 'Yes Prime Minister'. Even though it first aired decades ago, it hasn't dated as the dialogue is just as relevant in today's world.
Timeless and hilarious! Both Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are one of our best political sitcoms. Phenomenal writing and acting.
Yes Minister and the sequel Yes Prime Minister were the peak of subtle political satire and the reason they still feel relevant is the old adage "governments change, the lies stay the same"...
Glad you've found these two series.
Yes Minister follows the career of Hacker (Paul Eddinton) a cabinet minister. And sir Humphrey who is his departmental secretary. The second series starts with Sir Humphrey being promoted to the head of the civil service, reporting to the PM. Then Hacker inadvertently becomes the PM, so they're back in action together.
Jump into the rabbit hole ASAP. You'll not regret it.
There was no third series, because during the second series paul Eddington was already seriously ill, and was too far gone with the terminal illness to make a third series.
My favourite comedy of all time. So well written. I wish you'd watch this bud. I know you don't do politics but this insanely well written and still holds up today.
This show is 40 years old. It is timeless because it deals with practices which are centuries old and remain today. Do yourself a favour and do a box set. You’ll find yourself laughing even though you will be fully aware that you are looking at the scary truth.
Looking forward to the reactions from binge watching both Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister. Always rates highly in sit-com comparisons. The scriptwriting is top class & Hawthorne's delivery is awesome.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime-minister are timeless. The show could be set in any era and speaks to the interaction of Politicians and the Civil Service that supports them. Well worth time time to watch them all.
Yeah, great show. Fabulous actors, great writing. Great satire. Glad you enjoyed that, Boomz!
In terms of the historical context, this was written during the time of Margaret Thatcher being prime minister.
This is a BBC TV series from about 20-30 years ago and is so close to reality about how the UK government and the British Civil Service work. It was put out on a DVD. You start with “Yes Minister” and then “Yes Prime Minister” with two Xmas Specials. It is very relevant to the UK and American politics - still how it works today. It has not really dated, it was one of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite TV programs. I think the only show that was as good and cleverly written was the “Black Adder” series, another absolutely brilliant series.
Yes Minister ran for three seasons and one Christmas Special from 1980 to 1984, and it revolved around Jim Hacker played by the great Paul Eddington, the Minister for Administrative Affairs and his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby (who you saw in this clip) played by Nigel Hawthorne. Then at the Christmas Special Hacker becomes Prime Minister, and Yes Prime Minister is the sequel, which this clip comes from. They made two seasons of Yes Prime Minister.
The show is just a continual parade of such glorious exchanges.
It does not date, and very accurate.
You will love Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister. One of the greatest of all British comedy series and the perfect primer for undertanding the unspoken battle and codependancy between bureacratic institutionalism and political desire for power and advancement. A universal theme that never ages.