I used to drive taxis while at university and often waited in line at the Victorian State Parliament for passengers. A regular fare was a high ranking public servant and I asked him once did he ever watch "Yes Minister" or "Yes Prime Minister" and he said "rarely". When I inquired why - he said his job was the equivalent to Sir Humphrey, and he "didn't like to see himself on television". I joked that it was just a satire. He laughed and said it was "uncomfortably close" to reality. If that's not an endorsement of the show - I don't know what is!
I met a lady who had worked on Capitol Hill who said they were all very worried that The West Wing was so inaccurate but people believed it. I told her we had Yes Minister and it was totally accurate and we believed it.
hahhaah, you've been Humphrey'd by the real Humphrey, because he said RARELY, that means nothing lol He could've seen it 60 times and now days he occasionally watches it... Hence, he RARELY watches it xD
@@trojanthedog Absolutely. I’m from Oz. And it was far to close to our way doing things too for us to miss. And Laugh. Absolutely brilliant. Even the final episode (one of my favourites), was still damnably clever, the explanation of “the Lie”, is sheer perfection.
It was this show that sparked my interest in British politics that remains brightly burning to this day. It (albeit marginally) influenced my selection of Economics as my Major at University. Understanding British politics and macroeconomics assisted me with my career at American offices of several British financial institutions covering International Trade Finance.
"We were going to be repeating ourselves. If we didn't have anything more to say, I wanted to stop." Hollywood has absolutely no idea what language you're even speaking in...
I'd seen a few episodes before, but my Public Administration professor (a Canadian ex-senior bureaucrat) openly endorsed it as an admittedly comedic look at how things actually often work.
Paul Eddington was a rare human being, unusual in his nobility, humility, sense of responsibility and compassion. I still recall an interview he gave near the end of his life: When asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied to the effect "I would like to have only done a little harm. It seems to me that most people do a great deal, but I hope I have only done a little."
Paul was a wonderful actor. I saw that interview too and though very saddened that he would pass soon...I came away with the feeling he was also a truly good human.
I was not even born when the show started and only discovered it a few years ago. I believe it is one of the wittiest and funniest shows ever made on TV or on film. It is a masterpiece of comedy with absolutely the finest cast ever. All of them are comedy geniuses, writers and actors alike.
14:35 [People were] "so sick of the politicians. They were so sick of the hypocrisy and the lying and the evasion." Thank goodness we don't have that any more in 2022...
One of the best tv series ever. Forty years on and it’s still relevant to today and still immensely funny. My favourite episode is when Sir Humphrey was denied access to the Prime Minister. 12:13
Please don't forget the episodes of Yes, Minister that were re-scripted & re-recorded for radio. They too are wonderful! And they, like the TV programme, are available on Apple's iTunes Book & TV Stores. I've also got the cassette & CD versions of the radio adaptations.
nothing has changed in the world of politics. The relevance is still there, even here in Sweden. I watched the series from the start in the early eighties and it still works beautifully. 👍
one of the best comedy series ever made. Great characters, great actors and great writers. For a series to be successful, all these elements have to come together. In this series all of them meshed perfectly. The actors complemented each other to produce the best comedy. Being non British, it gives me a great but a funny window into the workings of the UK govt. I love watching the episodes. Funny thing is, after so many years, it is still relevant in today's context. I guess, somethings never change.
I read Philosophy and Politics at University (not Oxford or Cambridge, or even the LSE!) and I simply quoted parts of YM/YPM and walked out with an Upper Second. The whole series is a documentary, even today: trouble in Europe, cancelling Trident, budget cuts, defence cuts, trouble with Russia, trouble in the Middle East...
Darling Derek and dear, dear Nigel were both incredibly encouraging to this slightly younger dramatist, as was darling Joss Ackland. Sir Derek was such a loyal friend, would come to NY to visit his former voice coach, but always say hello, and Sir Nigel was appearing as CS Lewis on Broadway. Derek's last words to me were: "when are you coming home? (to England) Their sweetness of character and compassion made them great, even in satire, in comedy, their humanity triumphed, and they became lovable to their audience. I never met Paul, but Derek spoke very highly of him as a person and as an actor. They knew their craft and excelled in it. Human and Civil Rights abuses in the USA disrupted my life and so I lost continuity and touch with those dear men...only recently found out that sweet Derek had passed to his reward. Such a gentle, gentleman...smiling through tears...
Probably the best show on TV. The characters were marvelous, the writing was witty, and the tension between them all made for a great production. Bless them all.
A great character, expertly portrayed by Nigel Hawthorne. Within a single episode you went from detesting Sir Humphrey to loving him and back. Magnificent.
Sir Humphrey was an encyclopedic guide to political double-dealing. Politicians ever since seem to have referred to the series as a kind of guide but they fail to realise that it was meant to be a guide about what NOT to do. Amazing comedy but in a way sad that it is so accurate.
Poor Derek Fowlds. Consistently had some of the best lines best delivered in the show, but was always in the shade of Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. Hammered home by the abrupt ending in the middle of his last comment in the doco.
Bernard is my favourite character in this. Such fantastic pedantry and a wonderfully perfect antidote to Hacker's buffonary and Humphrey's evilness. Derek comes across as such a decent guy as well. Didn't realise we lost him relatively recently (Jan 2020).
@@hughanthony2001 Oh no! I knew Derek and he was just lovely. we lost touch because of very vicious stuff in the USA. He was so talented and such a kind man, and loved doing Yes Minister....and then being the "gruff" Sergeant in Heartbeat. I had a feeling he had passed to the greater stage, but was afraid to check. So lovable. I knew Sir Nigel, not as well, but he was also a sweet man. Nigel loved my dramas, said they were "beautifully written and should be done..." while he was in Shadowlands in NY. Derek's last words to me in NY were "...when are you coming home (to England) Deirdre..." brought tears to my eyes. Derek said that Paul Eddington was the best of the three...but they brought out the best in one another...and fair dues to the writers - wow!
I'm not much of a series watcher, but both YM and YPM I utterly adore. It's a class of comedy I've yet to see exceeded and I still laugh just as hard at their jokes even after a dozen views. I wish they would show these series on TV here in South Africa; our government may be less aristocratic, but I can't help feel that otherwise this show would still hit the nail on the head as an allegory for our own expensive and impossible excuse for a circus. Thank you to the whole team for giving the world such a timeless classic
During lockdown I watched every episode of each series pretty much back to back.. Not only has it not aged, but you forget just how bloody amazing the timing was on this program. The one liners by Bernard has me in stitches... but of every episode, every speech there is only one, mentioned here in this video that stands out for all time. Hacker: Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers. The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country. The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country. The Times is read by the people who actually do run the country. The Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country. The Financial Times is read by people who own the country. The Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country. And The Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is. HUMPHREY: Prime Minister, what about people who read The Sun? BERNARD: Sun readers don't care who runs the country as long as she's got big tits.
And if you watch closely, both Hawthorne and Fowlds come close to breaking in the scene. In fact, Hawthorne does break after the last line, although off-camera-if you look at the reflection in the brass above the doorknob, he throws down the folder he was holding, and if I listen closely I _think_ I can hear him laugh
@@TerryTheNewsGirl I met him a couple of times in NY, and think he would call me "friend." The sweetest on the planet, devoted to his wife, kind, funny, charming...kept saying "when are you coming home, D....." knew I was desperately homesick, but well, I keep getting "bounced back..." Nigel also liked and encouraged my dramatic works, as did Joss Ackland... MEGA HUGS from across that cold sea... but I still can't watch the episodes yet...keep trying, but miss knowing those great men were "waiting" for me to "come home," and now are no longer there.
@@almostfmHumphrey doesn't break often, he's so professional, but he definitely couldn't hold that in. Yet Bernard delivered it perfectly, and hacker kept his straight face, somehow
The writing, wordplay and acting is phenomenal. It’s so witty and precisely delivered it surpasses time yet still holds a certain level of nostalgia which brings warmth to seemingly flat subject matter. Excellent tv.
it was a wonderful series, full of convoluted monologues, mainly by Sir Humphrey. the rapport between the 3 main actors was wonderful, with Bernard usually having the punchline. it must be very difficult for writers to maintain the quality of their scripts during a long-running series, but Lynn and Jay somehow managed it. every episode was a gem and millions tuned in every week to watch. Oh, that we had such quality now in these days of multi-channel mediocrity
@@Farweasel Blackadder drifted from comedy to panto and then got lost up its own self important bottom. YM & YPM stayed true to its brief and secondly in any case, the writing was far far superior
@@richardbartlett6932 Then again, there's an argument to be made that Blackadder, whilst formulaic, was more adaptive than the excellent YM & YPM series. More importantly, unlike much of today's BBC output, *both* were genuinely amusing.
My SIL was an ambassador for 10 years and we gifted her the complete series to watch . She absolutely loved it. It is timeless and rings true for every western European country, I would say.
Excellent series- both of them. Favourite joke/theme: "We must do something. This is something, therefore we must do it'. As an ex public servant, manys the time this was true.
‘Allo ‘Allo, Cheers, Dad’s army, Frasier, Yes minister - all brilliant comedy. But the last two are pure genius, and in the same way: they are intelligent. Binge watch them - the way the characters develop and their personas are woven into the scripts is comedy magic.
While Two and a Half Men may not seem dignified, it’s very funny with Charlie Sheen in it, it’s the only American show I’d watch as much as Yes Minister & YPM.
@@kirstieoconnor1054 Sure, it's different - more like farce, but the way they organised the accents was very clever when you think of how English speakers listen to foreigners speaking amongst themselves. Each to his/her own, natch!
@@BillSmith-ed4jg lol. Frasier is the top, actually. There's no series that has won that many awards during its run. But as you are comparing it to BM.. not surprising you aren't aware of that.
I still see things every day that remind me of one episode or another! It's completely timeless with themes that recur again and again, and you realise that nothing changes in politics! The dialogue is also absolutely spot on every time, and delivered perfectly. I will never tire of watching it. :-)
I worked for 7 years in the 90's in various capacities for a minister and vice prime minister (advisor,press and translator) and the show was spot on, depresssingly so. At first viewing, I was more quiet than laughing. To the annoyance of my wife, I Often hit the pause button explaining that these things DID and DO happen. Now 20 of 30 years later, I still watch the series. Timeless quality and eternally real. And extremely funny.
I loved it then and still love it today. Genius writing, impeccable comedy acting and exquisite directing never ever gets old. For me it could never be remade with other actors. How can you replace the perfection of Paul, Nigel and Derek who are the holy trinity of the series.
26:25 An amazing comedic skill that Paul had (particularly visually), and I’m so glad that that otherwise generally underrated quality of his was so aptly highlighted in this documentary!! Yes Nigel Hawthorne had immense skill and deservingly won various awards for portraying Sir Humphrey, but surely Paul also deserved some too for portraying Jim.
Thank you for this. These characters have entered British folklore and legend; everyone will know what's meant as soon as their names are mentioned. There was an audiobook "How to beat Sir Humphrey" - narrated, naturally, by Derek Fowlds - on how to beat officialdom when it's being obstructive. it might still be around in book or audio format.
It's a real shame it ended so abruptly without a proper finale. The whole last season was building up to an election. It should have at least finished with the election. That's my only complaint with an otherwise brilliant 5 seasons.
Fair Point. But! At least Jim Hacker won at the very end. That last episode had to be one of the best, especially when he’s “told”, that he told a lie. My second favourite episode “The Key” actually had a small part shown here. Even in Oz, we loved it. It was similar enough to how things worked in Australia, that we actually “understood” the comedy gold that this truly is. And Bernard was comedy Gold. They all were, so it’s hard to pick a favourite as it simply wouldn’t have worked if any one of them wasn’t in it. As I can’t see it working with any other actors.
An absolute masterpiece that's stood the test of time. I'm so glad the bbc filmed this interview to explain the journey of the cast before, during and after the show. It's interesting to see the process they went through to create this comical genius of a show
My father was 'Sir Humphrey; in the Australian Public Service and when we watched this together many, many years ago - he didn't laugh.. only said to me 'Son, this isn't a comedy,... its a documentary'. Now I'm a contractor and consultant to the APS and I see it every single day.
When I was young I watched yes minister/pm and thought it was a great comedy series....then I ended up working in government and realised it was actually a documentary
Clever point. Antony Jay and John Cleese went into business together specialising in funny training films. 4:08 "All training films had been really boring, hitherto, because they show people how to do a job right. And Tony realised the way to make them entertaining was to show them how to do it wrong." 21:40 "Yes Minister is a series of training films for politicians. It's 'How Not to Run the Government'. If they would only view it in that light, we might generally all be better off."
I am a civil servant. When my wife worked in the private sector, she merely thought Yes Minister/Prime Minister was very funny. It was only when she joined the civil service herself that she realised it was basically a documentary! 😂
One of the funniest look at the world of politics. Terrific acting by all involved, Missed by all the entire cast. I am lucky enough to own the entire box set of Yes Minister & Yes Prime minister, I Watch it time after time & still enjoy every episode. If the cast of the show knew how popular this program would become, I doubt they would believe how successful this would become. 🎉😂😅
None of us should ever take our freedom for granted when it comes to our right to question anyone who is governing us and the right to question anyone who is supposed to be ensuring our safety too. None of us should ever take our freedom for granted when it comes to creative license too.
I used to drive taxis while at university and often waited in line at the Victorian State Parliament for passengers. A regular fare was a high ranking public servant and I asked him once did he ever watch "Yes Minister" or "Yes Prime Minister" and he said "rarely". When I inquired why - he said his job was the equivalent to Sir Humphrey, and he "didn't like to see himself on television". I joked that it was just a satire. He laughed and said it was "uncomfortably close" to reality. If that's not an endorsement of the show - I don't know what is!
In a very similar vein, many well established music artists can't cope with Spinal Tap for the exact same reason - just too close to home.
I met a lady who had worked on Capitol Hill who said they were all very worried that The West Wing was so inaccurate but people believed it. I told her we had Yes Minister and it was totally accurate and we believed it.
hahhaah, you've been Humphrey'd by the real Humphrey, because he said RARELY, that means nothing lol
He could've seen it 60 times and now days he occasionally watches it... Hence, he RARELY watches it xD
@@mrsc120 ok
Spovan
RIP Nigel, Derek, and Paul. Your work on these two TV shows has made you immortal.
True. They will live longer in the hearts of the UK and the Dominians than any politician ever will.
@@trojanthedog Absolutely. I’m from Oz. And it was far to close to our way doing things too for us to miss. And Laugh. Absolutely brilliant. Even the final episode (one of my favourites), was still damnably clever, the explanation of “the Lie”, is sheer perfection.
@@mareky1234 I'm a Queenslander my self.
Watched this in Norway when I was a kid and loved it :-)
It was this show that sparked my interest in British politics that remains brightly burning to this day. It (albeit marginally) influenced my selection of Economics as my Major at University. Understanding British politics and macroeconomics assisted me with my career at American offices of several British financial institutions covering International Trade Finance.
"We were going to be repeating ourselves. If we didn't have anything more to say, I wanted to stop." Hollywood has absolutely no idea what language you're even speaking in...
There might be some truth to the notion that plebeian internet textspeak has superseded English in Hollywood.
40yrs old and still as relevant today. Genius
I'd seen a few episodes before, but my Public Administration professor (a Canadian ex-senior bureaucrat) openly endorsed it as an admittedly comedic look at how things actually often work.
Paul Eddington was a rare human being, unusual in his nobility, humility, sense of responsibility and compassion.
I still recall an interview he gave near the end of his life: When asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied to the effect "I would like to have only done a little harm. It seems to me that most people do a great deal, but I hope I have only done a little."
Paul was a wonderful actor. I saw that interview too and though very saddened that he would pass soon...I came away with the feeling he was also a truly good human.
Sir Derek thought the world of him, as a friend and as an actor. RIP you great, great guys.
I was not even born when the show started and only discovered it a few years ago. I believe it is one of the wittiest and funniest shows ever made on TV or on film. It is a masterpiece of comedy with absolutely the finest cast ever. All of them are comedy geniuses, writers and actors alike.
I’m with you on that I also found it last year and loved it so Much so that I’m joining my countries government
I had the pleasure of meeting Jones one day when he was filming a sketch in wales. Got the same sense of his brilliance 😂😂😂😂
My all time favourite television programme. With undoubtedly the greatest writing and the richest use of language ever.
@@Mark27472
Well, yes… that's true in this case as well as with the Blackadder series. The writers are the Shakespeares of our lifetimes.
14:35 [People were] "so sick of the politicians. They were so sick of the hypocrisy and the lying and the evasion." Thank goodness we don't have that any more in 2022...
My grandfather worked as civil servant from the early 50s to the late 80s and he always said that the show was worrying very accurate
One of the best tv series ever. Forty years on and it’s still relevant to today and still immensely funny. My favourite episode is when Sir Humphrey was denied access to the Prime Minister. 12:13
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are by far the best comedy ever to appear on TV. Kudos Jay and Lynn, your work will outlive you forever.
Please don't forget the episodes of Yes, Minister that were re-scripted & re-recorded for radio. They too are wonderful! And they, like the TV programme, are available on Apple's iTunes Book & TV Stores. I've also got the cassette & CD versions of the radio adaptations.
One of the best shows ever, even now it’s just as funny as 40 years ago
Absolutely, hands down the best and highest standard situation comedy the Brits have ever produced.
This will always be my absolute favorite show EVER.
nothing has changed in the world of politics. The relevance is still there, even here in Sweden. I watched the series from the start in the early eighties and it still works beautifully. 👍
You’re quite right Per, British politics cannot change as Britain really never changes.
Oh that and the show was so brilliantly written it has become timeless.
@@robinsanders5541 Britain never really changes?
I'm *offended*
Whatever else people used to be it was never that unless your surname was Whitehouse.
Ah, but you have Peter Mattei in Sweden. Makes up for a lot. Possibly the greatest opera singer of all time. (and I mourned Pavo for 7 years...!)
Everyone involved in this series is a superstar in my eyes and has more credibility than any British Politician then and since!
I knew two of them personally, and yes, as human beings they were super, super stars. And they both agree on the great Paul E.
I remember giggling to Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister decades ago.
one of the best comedy series ever made. Great characters, great actors and great writers. For a series to be successful, all these elements have to come together. In this series all of them meshed perfectly. The actors complemented each other to produce the best comedy. Being non British, it gives me a great but a funny window into the workings of the UK govt. I love watching the episodes. Funny thing is, after so many years, it is still relevant in today's context. I guess, somethings never change.
Even here in New Zealand our own mps still make references to this show when berating the opposition or policy.😆
I read Philosophy and Politics at University (not Oxford or Cambridge, or even the LSE!) and I simply quoted parts of YM/YPM and walked out with an Upper Second.
The whole series is a documentary, even today: trouble in Europe, cancelling Trident, budget cuts, defence cuts, trouble with Russia, trouble in the Middle East...
it's all still true in the year 2023
they all deserve and are worthy of a CBE
Darling Derek and dear, dear Nigel were both incredibly encouraging to this slightly younger dramatist, as was darling Joss Ackland. Sir Derek was such a loyal friend, would come to NY to visit his former voice coach, but always say hello, and Sir Nigel was appearing as CS Lewis on Broadway. Derek's last words to me were: "when are you coming home? (to England) Their sweetness of character and compassion made them great, even in satire, in comedy, their humanity triumphed, and they became lovable to their audience. I never met Paul, but Derek spoke very highly of him as a person and as an actor. They knew their craft and excelled in it. Human and Civil Rights abuses in the USA disrupted my life and so I lost continuity and touch with those dear men...only recently found out that sweet Derek had passed to his reward. Such a gentle, gentleman...smiling through tears...
The whole series is a masterclass in satire and wit. Really feel for Paul Eddington for not getting the awards which he so much deserved.
Might be the best written show ever
Probably the best show on TV. The characters were marvelous, the writing was witty, and the tension between them all made for a great production. Bless them all.
I'm buying the complete box set now that I'm jaded enough, old enough to appreciate it.
MY favorite character was Sir Humphrey. I loved that series. I still watch old episodes here on UA-cam.
A great character, expertly portrayed by Nigel Hawthorne.
Within a single episode you went from detesting Sir Humphrey to loving him and back. Magnificent.
@@samil5601 I like Nigel as Sir Humphrey. I used to watch that all the time.
Sir Humphrey was an encyclopedic guide to political double-dealing. Politicians ever since seem to have referred to the series as a kind of guide but they fail to realise that it was meant to be a guide about what NOT to do. Amazing comedy but in a way sad that it is so accurate.
Poor Derek Fowlds. Consistently had some of the best lines best delivered in the show, but was always in the shade of Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. Hammered home by the abrupt ending in the middle of his last comment in the doco.
Jk
Well except, for the people watching, his best lines were received and appreciated.
Bernard is my favourite character in this. Such fantastic pedantry and a wonderfully perfect antidote to Hacker's buffonary and Humphrey's evilness. Derek comes across as such a decent guy as well. Didn't realise we lost him relatively recently (Jan 2020).
@@hughanthony2001 Oh no! I knew Derek and he was just lovely. we lost touch because of very vicious stuff in the USA. He was so talented and such a kind man, and loved doing Yes Minister....and then being the "gruff" Sergeant in Heartbeat. I had a feeling he had passed to the greater stage, but was afraid to check. So lovable. I knew Sir Nigel, not as well, but he was also a sweet man. Nigel loved my dramas, said they were "beautifully written and should be done..." while he was in Shadowlands in NY. Derek's last words to me in NY were "...when are you coming home (to England) Deirdre..." brought tears to my eyes. Derek said that Paul Eddington was the best of the three...but they brought out the best in one another...and fair dues to the writers - wow!
@@DeirdreMcNamara If I could "love" your comment on here I would. What wonderful memories.
So much Genius in this show, great acting and great writing, god bless them all for giving us this comedy classic
My all time favourite TV sitcom. Pure genius, both in the script and the acting.
Absolutely brilliant scripts, brilliantly acted.
best documentary series ever!
I'm not much of a series watcher, but both YM and YPM I utterly adore. It's a class of comedy I've yet to see exceeded and I still laugh just as hard at their jokes even after a dozen views. I wish they would show these series on TV here in South Africa; our government may be less aristocratic, but I can't help feel that otherwise this show would still hit the nail on the head as an allegory for our own expensive and impossible excuse for a circus.
Thank you to the whole team for giving the world such a timeless classic
and I still love to watch the episodes! And laugh a lot! So absolutely right and wonderful script! Best comedy show......EVER!
Wonderful, and still relevant... and still very funny!!!
During lockdown I watched every episode of each series pretty much back to back..
Not only has it not aged, but you forget just how bloody amazing the timing was on this program. The one liners by Bernard has me in stitches... but of every episode, every speech there is only one, mentioned here in this video that stands out for all time.
Hacker: Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers.
The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country.
The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country.
The Times is read by the people who actually do run the country.
The Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country.
The Financial Times is read by people who own the country.
The Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country.
And The Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is.
HUMPHREY: Prime Minister, what about people who read The Sun?
BERNARD: Sun readers don't care who runs the country as long as she's got big tits.
And if you watch closely, both Hawthorne and Fowlds come close to breaking in the scene. In fact, Hawthorne does break after the last line, although off-camera-if you look at the reflection in the brass above the doorknob, he throws down the folder he was holding, and if I listen closely I _think_ I can hear him laugh
Bernard didn't say much, but by God, when he did he came out with some crackers!
@@TerryTheNewsGirl I met him a couple of times in NY, and think he would call me "friend." The sweetest on the planet, devoted to his wife, kind, funny, charming...kept saying "when are you coming home, D....." knew I was desperately homesick, but well, I keep getting "bounced back..." Nigel also liked and encouraged my dramatic works, as did Joss Ackland... MEGA HUGS from across that cold sea... but I still can't watch the episodes yet...keep trying, but miss knowing those great men were "waiting" for me to "come home," and now are no longer there.
My favourite gag in the series.
@@almostfmHumphrey doesn't break often, he's so professional, but he definitely couldn't hold that in. Yet Bernard delivered it perfectly, and hacker kept his straight face, somehow
The writing, wordplay and acting is phenomenal. It’s so witty and precisely delivered it surpasses time yet still holds a certain level of nostalgia which brings warmth to seemingly flat subject matter. Excellent tv.
it was a wonderful series, full of convoluted monologues, mainly by Sir Humphrey. the rapport between the 3 main actors was wonderful, with Bernard usually having the punchline. it must be very difficult for writers to maintain the quality of their scripts during a long-running series, but Lynn and Jay somehow managed it. every episode was a gem and millions tuned in every week to watch. Oh, that we had such quality now in these days of multi-channel mediocrity
"multi-channel mediocrity..." Wish I could claim those words - perfect!!!
The cleverest, most insightful, superbly written satire ever
I met John Nettleton when he was performing in Sheffield a very nice man.
The absolute best series ever... Ever... Ever.
Still love this show.
Great video...Sir Humphrey was divine.
My favorite TV character ever.
In far away Australia it was very well-received. We have all the DVDs and a couple of my grandsons loved to watch them with me in their early teens. .
Wouldn't have watched this in my 20's, but now in my 60's it's pure gold.
Hands down the best tv comedy ever
Absolutely brilliant ........... I'd call it a tie with BlackAdder
@@Farweasel Blackadder drifted from comedy to panto and then got lost up its own self important bottom. YM & YPM stayed true to its brief and secondly in any case, the writing was far far superior
@@richardbartlett6932 Then again, there's an argument to be made that Blackadder, whilst formulaic, was more adaptive than the excellent YM & YPM series.
More importantly, unlike much of today's BBC output, *both* were genuinely amusing.
My SIL was an ambassador for 10 years and we gifted her the complete series to watch . She absolutely loved it. It is timeless and rings true for every western European country, I would say.
Excellent series- both of them.
Favourite joke/theme:
"We must do something. This is something, therefore we must do it'.
As an ex public servant, manys the time this was true.
I love yes Minister I have these on DVDs
‘Allo ‘Allo, Cheers, Dad’s army, Frasier, Yes minister - all brilliant comedy. But the last two are pure genius, and in the same way: they are intelligent.
Binge watch them - the way the characters develop and their personas are woven into the scripts is comedy magic.
Frasier is good
Not at the top
Try Barney Miller
While Two and a Half Men may not seem dignified, it’s very funny with Charlie Sheen in it, it’s the only American show I’d watch as much as Yes Minister & YPM.
Can't agree with allo allo, in no way does it deserve to be part of this list.
@@kirstieoconnor1054 Sure, it's different - more like farce, but the way they organised the accents was very clever when you think of how English speakers listen to foreigners speaking amongst themselves.
Each to his/her own, natch!
@@BillSmith-ed4jg lol. Frasier is the top, actually. There's no series that has won that many awards during its run. But as you are comparing it to BM.. not surprising you aren't aware of that.
Yes, Yes, Yes, Amazing, Creative , Funny, Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps it is one of the best documentary series ever produced by the BBC.
Jonathan Lynn's line to Thatcher is the greatest thing I've heard this year. Bold move, sir.
I still see things every day that remind me of one episode or another! It's completely timeless with themes that recur again and again, and you realise that nothing changes in politics! The dialogue is also absolutely spot on every time, and delivered perfectly. I will never tire of watching it. :-)
One of the top best shows.
I worked for 7 years in the 90's in various capacities for a minister and vice prime minister (advisor,press and translator) and the show was spot on, depresssingly so. At first viewing, I was more quiet than laughing. To the annoyance of my wife, I Often hit the pause button explaining that these things DID and DO happen. Now 20 of 30 years later, I still watch the series. Timeless quality and eternally real. And extremely funny.
I loved it then and still love it today. Genius writing, impeccable comedy acting and exquisite directing never ever gets old. For me it could never be remade with other actors. How can you replace the perfection of Paul, Nigel and Derek who are the holy trinity of the series.
Wonderful episodes .. those were the days...memories of watching in hotel lounges when "on the road 40 years ago.
I love British comedy💕
Got the box set for Christmas and will watch it over and over again, love it
Outstanding. My favourite comedy series of all time. Golden age of the BBC. Thank you to the brilliant writers and chemistry and talent of the actors.
Pure genius and timeless.
Thank You for uploading this. A superb series, one of the crowning jewels in British Television.
"The country's most unlikely Prime Minister" - now THERE'S a comment which has not aged well in 2022!
Mmmm… Pork Markets!
Or 2023 and 2024.
"I couldn't stop him." "Why not?" "He's bigger than me."
26:25 An amazing comedic skill that Paul had (particularly visually), and I’m so glad that that otherwise generally underrated quality of his was so aptly highlighted in this documentary!! Yes Nigel Hawthorne had immense skill and deservingly won various awards for portraying Sir Humphrey, but surely Paul also deserved some too for portraying Jim.
Great comedy. Wonderful scripts and brilliant acting.
Just so clever and fabulous!
Genius British satire
Thank you for this.
These characters have entered British folklore and legend; everyone will know what's meant as soon as their names are mentioned.
There was an audiobook "How to beat Sir Humphrey" - narrated, naturally, by Derek Fowlds - on how to beat officialdom when it's being obstructive. it might still be around in book or audio format.
I first watched the entire run about 15 years ago, and love catching an individual episode still. And there is still an air of truth to it…
It's a real shame it ended so abruptly without a proper finale. The whole last season was building up to an election. It should have at least finished with the election. That's my only complaint with an otherwise brilliant 5 seasons.
Everyone wanted to continue but sadly Paul was very ill. You'll notice in the last series he's sitting down a lot.
The only show that comes close to Yes Minister is the West Wing in my opinion and they did finish with an election
Fair Point.
But! At least Jim Hacker won at the very end. That last episode had to be one of the best, especially when he’s “told”, that he told a lie.
My second favourite episode “The Key” actually had a small part shown here.
Even in Oz, we loved it. It was similar enough to how things worked in Australia, that we actually “understood” the comedy gold that this truly is. And Bernard was comedy Gold. They all were, so it’s hard to pick a favourite as it simply wouldn’t have worked if any one of them wasn’t in it.
As I can’t see it working with any other actors.
Paul was ill...
@@daveleggdrivertraining Not even close! Sigh.
Scarily close to the current situation in Australia with Scotty from Photo Ops in charge.
An absolute masterpiece that's stood the test of time. I'm so glad the bbc filmed this interview to explain the journey of the cast before, during and after the show. It's interesting to see the process they went through to create this comical genius of a show
Thanks for uploading this 🙏
My father was 'Sir Humphrey; in the Australian Public Service and when we watched this together many, many years ago - he didn't laugh.. only said to me 'Son, this isn't a comedy,... its a documentary'. Now I'm a contractor and consultant to the APS and I see it every single day.
Thank you just absolutely brilliant.
When I was young I watched yes minister/pm and thought it was a great comedy series....then I ended up working in government and realised it was actually a documentary
"who fixed it for Jim" oof now there's a reference that dates this episode.... Doubt the BBC would reference Saville anymore 😅
Clever point. Antony Jay and John Cleese went into business together specialising in funny training films.
4:08 "All training films had been really boring, hitherto, because they show people how to do a job right. And Tony realised the way to make them entertaining was to show them how to do it wrong."
21:40 "Yes Minister is a series of training films for politicians. It's 'How Not to Run the Government'. If they would only view it in that light, we might generally all be better off."
If you think him an unlikely PM, you haven't considered the last five real ones.
This Is probably the best sitcoms ever made. Its relevant even today and will probably be for a long time.
I absolutely loved all 5 series of this show ... I still do. Brilliantly acted and awesome scripts. Bernard definitely deserved his K, too! 😊
'All tiem comedy gold. YM/YPM are up there with the very best of sitcoms. They combine superb writing with perfect comedic acting.
I am a civil servant. When my wife worked in the private sector, she merely thought Yes Minister/Prime Minister was very funny. It was only when she joined the civil service herself that she realised it was basically a documentary! 😂
(Heavy sigh!)...Yes, Prime Minister, Fawlty Towers, and Mister Bean. Far and away some of the best comedy the world has EVER known!
One of the best comedy’s I have ever seen
Spot on with readers of The Guardian as regards “Who reads the papers”.
Spot on for 'em all!!! And I'm a Sun reader! 😜🤣🤣🤣
Rip Mr Derek.
funny thing is that Lynn returned to political arena in 1992 with The distinguished gentleman
I thought the two series poked fun at the Civil Service not the politicians . We never knew which Party was in power in Yes Prime Minister.
What a great influence on British comedy was David Frost. Either directly or through others he brought on board
Genius, up there with the best.
One of the funniest look at the world of politics.
Terrific acting by all involved,
Missed by all the entire cast.
I am lucky enough to own the entire box set of Yes Minister & Yes Prime minister,
I Watch it time after time & still enjoy every episode.
If the cast of the show knew how popular this program would become, I doubt they would believe how successful this would become. 🎉😂😅
"Yes Minister" "Yes Prime Minister" and "Only Fools and Horses" are the three greatest and funniest shows of all time.
Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and Yes Minister are my "big three".
Phenomenal show
Absolutely top top comedy series! I’ve never tired watching Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister despite watching and rewatching it over the years!
It's hard to believe the British people could be disillusioned with politician's! In retrospect it wasn't nearly silly enough!
None of us should ever take our freedom for granted when it comes to our right to question anyone who is governing us and the right to question anyone who is supposed to be ensuring our safety too. None of us should ever take our freedom for granted when it comes to creative license too.
Thanks for posting.