A clear conscience - Yes, Prime Minister - BBC comedy
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
- Sir Humphrey educates Bernard in how to take minutes from a meeting and get what you want. Hillarious free clip from the BBC political comedy Yes, Prime Minister.
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"A clear conscience. When did you acquire this taste for luxuries?"
Like a teacher chiding an errant pupil.
I always loved that part from Humphry
This is modern politics.
It's interesting in many ways, Bernard is the audience and both Humphrey and Hacker take him into their confidence. Humphrey in particular really likes him (calls him a "high flyer" on a few occasions).
@@enrac It feels like Bernard is the younger version of Humphrey who is the younger version of Arnold
@@MattJames1958 Beautifully expressed! And exactly right.
The most Lawful Neutral person in existence.
Haha ! That made my day ! How is it that I am the only BG fan who had the impulse to reply, anyhow ?
I based the head of my demon hunting order in my d&d session on humphry
Humphrey is true neutral as he "bends" the interpretation to suit the needs of his "master".
Bernard is indeed lawful neutral but regularly molded to true neutral by Humphrey.
I would’ve thought Bernard as lawful good...
@@Daabai Well. Yes and No ;) Humphrey claims to do what's necessary to suit the needs of his master, but in most of the cases the show revolves around Humphrey opposing the ideas and initiatives of his master and does everything possible to house train him.
"Like NO not like cooking. Better not use that word in connection with books or minutes."
Perfect.
Please explain that one to me. Is that some kind of british inside joke?
Sephok The phrase ‘cook the books’ means to falsify information in official ledgers and records.
Ah, thank you.
Jorg the Mercenary Spearman
I thought it was because cooking books have cooking times in minutes. Silly me!
GOLD
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. This is pure genius in action. From the Hemingway references to Sir Humphrey's twisted yet completely logical reasoning and Bernard's acceptance and peace with his own conscience. And stellar acting to top it all out. I bow in reverence to the greatest TV show ever made.
The references are really more toward John Donne than to Hemingway, but more importantly, I find myself nearly in complete agreement with your other reflections and observations
Hard to argue with you on that one.
assuming you are unanimous in your verdict in the vein of Mrs Slocombe?
John Donne dude. Referenced by Hemingway 😉
As a former public servant I can safely say this is 100% accurate.
This explains why my Dad and Step Mum have selective memory. It was their job. Why would they recall the truth when the lie absolves them of any responsibility
@@philiposborne982 It's not a lie, just a selective truth.
The best written sitcom of all time
Hmmm....fools and horses? Faulty towers? There have been many. I’m guessing that those old enough to remember the originals are jaded by the current fare. Other times; other laughter.
@@jeffreyadams648 O.K. , JOINT BEST .
Sitcom?
Nope. Political documentary!!
It is definitely up there. Quick and smart. And ALL of it applies to this day which is great but also...sigh...terrible.
:)
@@jeffreyadams648 matter of taste.
I didn't manage to finish the first season of either. Finished father Ted though.
Bearing in mind the premise of this show, I still remember the remark my mom made when we were watching (in Poland) - "My god, I wish our (polish) politicians were up to this standard". Gets me every time :D
violatress completely immoral but competent politicians and functionaries tend to be much better than completely immoral AND incompetent ones, that is true.
@@MrRavellon Practicality and the efficient running of a society does not leave room for morals. Politics should be **a**moral.
@@obliviouz Politics should be. Politicians cannot be.
@@MrRavellon If politics *should* be amoral, then good competent politicians should be.
@@obliviouz humans are incapable of being amoral outside of certain mental disorders.
Humans can have different moral frameworks but every human has one. Except psychopaths, psychopathy is defined as being unable to differentiate between right and wrong, which is what being amoral means.
Good competent politicians should place the ethics of their position above their morals, I think what you mean.
The sheer brilliance of this show puts other shows to shame...
"And this is the truth?"
"Yes."
"The actual truth?"
"Yes."
"The whole truth?"
"Oh, good God, no, don't be ridiculous."
Yeah, let's swear on the word for word wholly true bible
How propaganda trully works
Every single line has a payoff. So good.
"How could we possibly be doing anything wrong if it is commanded by those who represent the people?"
love it!
Especially from one with such contempt for democracy.
“Is that a lie?”
- “No”
“Can you write it in the minutes?”
- “Yes”
“How is your conscience?”
- “Much better thank you!”
Genius and so perfectly played by both.
"You are tactful."
-"But how do I justify that?"
"You are his humble servant."
-"oh, yes!"
That smirk from Bernard at the end is just completes it
"When did you aquire this taste for luxury?"
Absolutely brilliant in both writing and acting!
I still find it remarkable that this was recorded in front a live audience with hardly an opportunity for a retake. Budgets and timings were so tight it just wasn't possible.
Nulli Secundus!
I'm a Poli-sci Major (in Canada) and I absolutely love this show! The YM/YPM series' manage to be funny while giving a good, mostly realistic view of how government *actually* works. This was apparently one of Margaret Thatcher's favourite shows, and she said that it was more accurate than she'd care to admit. :-)
Has the engine of a lawnmower, and the brakes of a Rolls Royce. Is government in a nutshell.
Amazing they actually broadcasted something like this. No wonder it doesn't get replays these days. Now we are expected to just believe the wretched governements we have been forced to endure. UK society has descended precisely because even intelligent people are now unable to process the fact that government is full of skullduggery and half truths. They've lied to us so much the last 20 years that now the lies have become most people's truth. I miss the free press, I miss intelligent politics. Anyone born after 1996 has literally no recollection of that process. I hope Starmer can bring that back as best he can. We certainly won't be getting any truth out of Bojo and Co.
@@philiposborne982 Yes, because the left never tells lies. Lol.
And Maggie was very careful to ensure a close working relationship with the cabinet minute-taker (Sir Bernard Ingham)...
Oh Lord how I miss this show. It brings me lots of memories when I first got to know about it back in 1978 in London where my husband and I had spent almost a year over there. My mom and dad came to visit and my dad would be glued to tv watching each and every episode of Yes Prime Minister. NOSTALGIC .. THE BEST EVER. I am Egyptian.
Nigel Hawthorne played this role so well. I forgot sometimes he was acting lol
best serie ever and has ment a lot to me. Sir Humphrey is my "idol" and i concur with what SilvaSkaduwee said. this serie was what made me interested in civil service, and today im am a civil servant in Stockholm City and sir Humphrey quotes and a portraits is placed on my wall. RIP Sir Nigel.
Mine, too.
You are moral vaccum
I thought Sweden didn't have proper civil servants, just government employees?
A portrait of Sir Humphrey on the wall of a civil servant's office gives exactly the same feeling as a well-known sign: "lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate"
...it tolls for _thee,_ Bernard!!
one of the greatest scenes of one of the greatest masterpieces of writing and acting....
I live in Trinidad and Tobago. I think this is one if not the best shows I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
Yes, Minister is a show which eloquently illustrates that what ministers say and do, what officicals record and implement, how both are reported by the press and what the public at large recieve and interpret, differ violently from all the others. Whilst simultaneously showing bureaucratic empire building, ministers lining their own pockets and the systematic 'greasing of the wheels' of general administerative practice and on top of all that they still manage to fit brilliantly written wit, 5*
Lining their own pockets? When? I thought that was just Humpy and his august predecessor.
@@ahmedamine24 If we're only talking about this show, that will include the civil service pay rise (linking politicians' salaries to those of civil servants), the honorary doctorate of law, and a failed attempt (though by a secretary) to keep a antique vase.
"How can we justify that?"
"You are his sevant!"
"Oh..."
As ever, a masterclass in bureaucracy, acting and the real world, perfectly blended into a comic cocktail.
“The purpose of minutes is not to record events. The purpose is to protect people.”
Remember: the minutes, as published by Parliament, are not a full transcript of what is said. They do not include throat clearings, “um”s and “ah”s,, muttering by people in the background, etc.
They protect attendees by:
- showing what was discussed, and the salient points brought up by all speakers to the subject
- presenting the major decisions (and subsequent actions to be taken, if any) reached as a result of the discussion,
The minutes thus represent recorded proof for a meeting’s attendees that they Did Something, or are Required To Do Something, or that they Objected To A Bad Decision, etc. Thus, they are protected against accusations of inaction, or callous decision making, or misinformed decision making.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." A Quote from John Donne (1572-1631), Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII
Sounds like a Humphrey quote
Something we should pay more attention to during these troubled times. Your dear friend from across the Atlantic, divided by a common language.
i never realized the famous bell quote was a reflection on the theory of collective will. wonderful. the idea's been around for 400+ years, at minimum. :D
clearly John Donne didnt know how clouds work =]
Hemingway used that thought in a novel he wrote about the Spanish Civil War.
I like the way Sir Humphrey dismiss BERNARD in a fluid good manner without being awkward ,
wow never heard of this show before but after watching few clips decided to buy the whole show series
red Baron from whom can one purchase the entire series?
@@מוטיפינסקי I believe you can find them on Amazon
red Baron im deeply considering the same
Get the prequel series, “Yes, Minister” as well. There were more episodes of that made and it was just as funny, if not more so
@@daugtherofzion369 torrents, guys.
One can't help but think that there was more than a grain of truth in the entire show!
Truth ?
This is a training and education documentary.
chris carroll Apparently Thatcher made her cabinet watch it when she was prime Minister due to how accurate it was.
I love how they portrait conscience as a decease. "How is it now?" "Much better, thank you". The writers writings were superbly brilliant as were the delivery by the actor's acting.
"How is your conscience?" "Much better, Sir". :-))))))))))
As was said by another commenter, the minutes are not meant to record what was said but what *should* have been said.
From the Corporate World, to Politics----a Truth!
Only one word to describe this show: "Perfect"!
This is the most accurate representation of government related meetings and minutes.
I cannot help but imagine, how his predecessor Sir Arnold would have explained this.
Simply marvelous :-)
Discovering this show was one of my favorite part of 2019...
World class level television. Never gets old or dated.
Brilliantly written and acted by all parties. However, Sir Humphrey (who even convinced the Queen he worked for the Civil Service) was just the most brilliant of the lost. RIP, Sir Nigel and thanks for the ton of laughs I still have over this series.
Always my absolute favourite scene from the entire show.
I have watched this show so many times and and it gets me every time am never getting tired of it
This is why i like stage actors over "method" actors. The performance and style tops "being the person." Hilarious. AND...."No, not like cooking." :)
I absolutely love this scene, being a minute myself!!!!
„“A clear conscience“? „““When did you acquire this taste for luxuries?“ Best British comedy ever,wonderful...
I have the Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister series on VHS and DVD....the VHS is so much played its worn out, the DVD isnt far behind either. Absolutely brilliant series not matched by anyone.
The beauty of omission!
A taste for luxuries!!!! 😄
Pure Genius!
When I was working in a quasi government organization, I tried telling my subordinates how to write minutes and this is my reference. One of them remained a block head where a 2.5 hour meeting resulted in a 10 A4 page draft (font size 10 mind you).
I suppose it takes two to QUANGO?
this is the best political show ever
"How's you conscience?" LOL!
It's the subtleties I love about this. If it were being acted now there would be a lot more aggression from Sir Humphrey and more servility from Bernard. Everything's so much more intense now on telly.
It exists, it’s called “the thick of it” it is as you say a lot more aggressive but still a fantastic show.
My favorite show of all time.
Being a Chilean myself and enduring what at present (2017) might only be described as a "witchhunt" of fraudsters within our once believed the best LatinAmerican type of government, which, by the way, was never what we were told it was (rings any bells anyone?) I cannot begin to understand how such an illuminated, educational, clever, truthladden, hintsfilled and thoroughly graphic piece of lecturing in the arts of politics can or could have ever been considered as "comedy". Truly beyond me....
It's a very British type of comedy. Throroughly absurd, and so close to the truth that you laugh so you don't cry.
I seem to remember that the writers were either actual civil servants who had seen/known scenes like they wrote, or had friends and sources that continued to update them with funny anecdotes from "the corridors of power"
In england theres a saying " many a truth is said in jest". That sums up our humour. It makes truth more palatable.
A good number of politicians, including we were told later(decades later) members of the cabinet, were leaking “stuff” to the writers.
So there is (sadly) a good deal of truth on these episodes.
The clothing and sets look dated, but the content appears as relevant and accurate today as when it was written.
@John Ashtone I never thought they were working for the good of the public...they were working for the good of themselves! Except perhaps Bernard. He thought he was there for the good of the people and is slowly corrupted without him quite coming to terms with it!
Only missing: _where did you acquire this taste for luxuries?!_
laughing out real loud, Bernie & Sir Humprey..
A clear conscience ! When did you acquire a taste for luxurious ?
Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.
This is simply genius.
This show is a classic.
The fact this shows' writing remains relevant to this day, is a testament to its genius.
and a testament of the sadness of reality
"When did you aquire this taste for luxuries?" hahahaha
This is bring me back :D. I love this haha
How's your conscience?
Answer: Much better. Lmao.
I want a clear conscience too!!
Sir Humphrey - the most brilliantly cynical tv show character of all time! Hats off!
Bullseye that is what makes him so intriguingly hilarious!!
A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist 😉
lmao! "a clear concience.... when did you aquire this taste for luxuries?" =P
For all his protests of not being a politician, Sir Humphrey has definitely mastered the art of Lying Via Truth, or being Truthful But Not Forthcoming.
So perfectly cast.
The late, great Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington sparred superbly in this series with some lines that go on for ever. The thinking man's comedy and the one that the politicians love.
Hahaha...omg Nigel was good...👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥
This remains the best-scripted English-language sitcom ever.
When did you acquired these tasteful luxuries?
LoL
Is that a lie? No. How's your conscience? Much better...
LOL
One of the best scenes
Sir Humphrey The ultimate civil service employee. The power behind the hapless Jim Hacker. Brilliant show 👍👍👍👍
There are very few shows that are better written and acted than this one. 'Tis a shame I can't say the same for the remake.
Few? Try none.
These were brilliant actors and genius writers.
Forscythe80 there was a remake? actually, forget it, i don't even want to know...
Yes, it was a stage play. Very badly done.
guguigugu Yes there was a new series released this decade. I think it was on UK Gold. Released in 2013.
This reminds me of the Arthur Bryant quote about the 1919 Paris Peace Conference.
“And so, while the great ones depart to their dinner, the secretary stays, growing thinner and thinner, racking his brains to record and report what he thinks that they think that they ought to have thought.”
_"We are humble functionaries whose duty it is to implement the commands of our democratically elected representatives. How can we possibly be doing anything wrong if it is being commanded by those who represent the people?"_
-- Amazing line that can be used by the civil service to justify anything!
This is amazing
The world would not function without HUMBLE FUNCTIONARIES. Thanks.
Sir Nigel Hawthorne and co. were just superb in this brilliant comedy that was so loved by those it took the mickey out of (politicians, civil servants) etc. Well-written, smart and funny as hell. America could never do a comedy like this.
Paul Eddington died of skin cancer; he was dying during the filming of the final series :(
@Jamie Pritchard I made a mistake, I should have said that he was very poorly during the filming of the final series of Yes, Prime Minister.
Sir Antony Rupert Jay, CVO, (born 20 April 1930)
Jonathan Lynn (born 3 April 1943, Bath, England)
Lynn is quite busy as a director in the U.S.:
* Clue
* Nuns on the Run
* My Cousin Vinny
* The Distinguished Gentleman
* Greedy
* Sgt. Bilko
* Trail and Error
* The Fighting Temptations
* The Whole Nine Yards.
He's now directing "Wild Target."
RIP Derek Fowlds
even your ex pm Mrs Thatcher has said she has spent hours enjoying the show..i am not brithish but you gyus have the best/most clever comedies..
I have read that Gorbatjov also liked it. Who knows, maybe it contributed to thaw the cold war when they realised how similar they were.
The purpose of minutes is not to record events, it is to protect people. How brilliant is that!
And some place in the Yes, Minister series he said
-Sir Hamprey, there has been no success in our efforts
-Bernard, you don't measure your result by success but by activities. And our activities have been considerable and productive.
Isnt that just marvelous?
There's actually plenty of impact-measured policies, like EU Directives.
Brilliant, as was "The official secrets act is not there to protect secrets, it is there to protect officials"
Brilliant !do not talk to me about minutes ~😏😂😂
India
Student: i want to acquire knowledge.
Teacher:knowledge, when did you acquire this taste for such luxuries.
this is why private tutorials do big business in India. more money better knowledge
Ive bought the box set. Next winter should be much brighter.
If more people where like Sir Humphrey then this world would be a better place.
Er, Sir Humphrey isn't a career politician. He's a public servant.
Err, I think not. Humphrey is a very manipulate person and wants nothing but for everything to remain unchanged. The world would most certainly not be a better place if more people were like this.
It would be a disaster for the revolutionaries...
When did you acquire this taste for luxuries?😂
if you like the show, buy the DVDs...they are worth it
And for the hilarity of it all. I've always liked this show even though I'm not much for politics personally. Actually, I hate politics and drama, but in this context it's fun and while funny, is also true to the mark and on some levels actually educational.
Pure class
This comedy series was made in the 80s. 20 years later today, it is still relevant to us. We haven't made any progress since the 80s.
The reason we haven't made any progress, and in this respect never will, is that people are just the same, and the institutions they work in present them with exactly the same incentives.
This whole series is on Netflix.
Thank you Netflix.
And now it's not
@@baron69420
It is still avilable on DVD.
Brilliant! : )
I'd love to see Humphrey briefing Donald trump on something...
Donald Trump doesn't understand the language of Her Majesty, so that won't work.
Trump will never survive the UK Parliament where he has to answer questions directly from the opposition.
difficult to say, after all, David Cameron was your PM and May is still your PM.
I know you think that Trump would not be able to win but I think you don't know why he was elected.
Donald Trump would never be able to comprehend what Sir Humphrey Applbee was saying
Brilliant