A Scandal! | Yes, Minister | BBC Comedy Greats

[@2eleven48]

'It takes two to quango, Minister'. Truly exceptional wittiness.

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

The barely contained delight on Humphrey's face is hilarious. Nigel Hawthorne was a phenomenal actor.

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

@randomguy8196 that's because British comedians are quite often classically trained actors who specialise in comedy. The comedy is more intellectual. Where as American actors/comedians are specific character actora but they've only got one character.

[@wholeNwon]

But it wasn't "contained" at all.

[@brucewilliams8714]

It's always worthwhile to watch Bernard in the background whilst the two others are centre stage. His acting is superb.

[@carlterry1728]

Never better than when he was with Basil Brush.

[@brucewilliams8714]

@@carlterry1728 I loved Basil Brush, that Terry Thomas accent.

[@peterfreeman6677]

"It takes two to quango" - love it. That should have been the title .

[@HSMiyamoto]

The actual title is the equally cynical "Jobs for the Boys."

[@petersenior5432]

Nah, it's the punchline. Don't ruin it

[@adegbeyekayodecoadegbeye8077]

Fire on the mountain! If I could just have a penny each time you make me laugh.

[@RoughThief]

Just to clarify: Quango is an amalgamation of "tango" and "quid pro quo", right? Or is that an actual British slang for something?

[@peterfreeman6677]

@@RoughThief Quango is an acronym. "Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation". Also known as "Arms-Length Bodies". Government-financed, stuffed with Government appointees, but maintaining a polite pretence of semi-independence.

[@rubyshah5844]

“Humphrey, How could you let me say all those things? ”

[@iandhr1]

"I can only advise. I did advise"

[@roadwarrior144]

He did advise, but really said nothing. As usual.🤣

[@chrislyne377]

"Oh shut up Frank!" Jim spoke for all of us there 🤣

[@shankarbalan3813]

Frank never really fitted in.

[@quantisedspace7047]

Words also spoken by Betty Spencer and Arthur Wilson.

[@TOMKHOMION]

The brillance of this series never stops fasinating me

[@flankspeed]

When the satire was better than the fact 😬

[@abhijitoka]

fascinating Come on , have some respect for Sir Humphrey Appleby's emphasis on language. :D

[@ayatollahassaholla3976]

Somethings never go out of style - classic comedy, precise satire and timeless tailoring which between Hawthorne's dry fatalism, the political football and Hacker's suit are all amply represented.

[@iandhr1]

I love Sir Humphrey. "I can only advise I did advise" I am guessing this was "very courageous" of Hacker.

[@jonathanfraser321]

Worse-he was brave

[@floydlooney6837]

nearly the entire thing takes place on one set, the writing and superb acting carried this show

[@JC-eh4zp]

Accuracy, human failing, comedy, cynicism and good acting. Superb

[@flankerpraha]

Humphrey's look at 1:41 is just killing :)))

[@Raymond_Cooper]

It's peaceful

[@JohnJ469]

I'm not sure which is funnier: The fact that this is brilliantly written comedy or the fact that most people don't understand that this is exactly how governments work.

[@Generalscorpio]

Most people who aren't familiar with Yes Minister.

[@Warriorking.1963]

What do you mean "Governments work"?

[@JohnJ469]

@@Warriorking.1963 I'm sure they do the Press Secretary told me so.

[@flankspeed]

USED TO WORK

[@christophersmith6510]

The comedy is funnier.

[@g2macs]

Unknown to the public at the time, the writers had several contacts in the government including serving M.P's who gave them a wealth of inside information. Most of the shenanigans that you see have actually happened.

[@susanhughs1031]

g2macs• Labour's Chief Of Staff To Both Harld Wilson And Jim Callaghan, Between 1974-/79 In Downing Street,, He's On A Political Coup, A BBC 4, Documentary!! From 2009, ????! And Maggie Made Him A Lord A Peer IN The House Of Lords, He Was I Can't Think What His Name Is,, You Can Uploaded A Political Coup On KZbin, Although You Have To Search For It,!!!!!!!! His Name Is Something Like Callaghan,????? ,.

[@gravychipplease]

I love these documentaries

[@sands7779]

I love when they work together here and the Prime Minister's constituency

[@MrThorfan64]

Oh look! A park!

[@wedgeantillies66]

The best bits is whenever Jim and Humphrey work in concert to achieve their mutual aims and interest, while screwing somebody else over at the same time.

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

When Hacker hits the radio on which BBC 1 is announcing the govt mismanagement with the papers in a precipitating manner, it surely is humorous and spontaneous comic reaction. 😀😆 ha,ha.

[@anonUK]

Most likely BBC Radio 4. Radio 5 Live also has political discussions but it didn't exist until the 90s anyway.

[@subhajitnaskar1]

Oh my goodness! That is how they sweep all troubles under the carpet😉

[@ProperLogicalDebate]

Look at his eyes at 1:41. Reminds me of the Sheik when Masala put his ring to the clay wager tablet.

[@hakan1087]

Bravo bbc.this is the best comedy in the world.👏👏👏👏

[@hkumar7340]

Paul Eddington... Nigel Hawthorne... Derek Fowlds... Excellent, excellent actors! Oh, I wish we could all go back to the 1980s!

[@fransbuijs808]

But please without the fashion and the hair cuts.

[@yoretabio4537]

Margaret Thatcher

[@paulreimann3444]

@Everstruggling \h

[@paulreimann3444]

@TheRenaissanceman65 wg

[@xr6lad]

@@yoretabio4537 and? I returned home to Britain in 1977 and it was like it was still the 1960’s & 50’s in many things (and not in a good way) it was that behind the world. I left again and returned the mid 80’s and it was as if I was away 40 years. It had changed and jumped forward so fast. Yes I do not agree with everything she did but she did bring the country into the late 20th century. And that was needed. Not a nation that appeared so crippled by WW2 restrictions even though it was 30 years later.

[@blainoneill5861]

Frank Weisel is not on the same level as Sir Humphrey and Bernard. It made sense for him to be phased out.

[@Account.for.Comment]

It showed the show' s cynical attitude. Weisel, is the symbol of a politician' s pledge as an elected official not as mouthpiece for the establishment. His disappearance is to say that the politician will throw away their values to ensure their survivability.

[@joevenespineli6389]

@@Account.for.Comment Is it accurate then?

[@Account.for.Comment]

@@joevenespineli6389 they call this show a documentary. In defense of politicians, how would they enacted any changes they want if they can' t survive in office? The issue is whether or not, they retain their principals and courages, when they fight a real problem that required a real solution. Sadly, I cannot see much of it lately.

[@johnking5174]

@@Account.for.Comment Jim Hacker did bring in another adviser when he became Prime Minister, because he was concerned about Sir Humphrey's power over him. He brought in Dorothy Wainwright in Yes Prime Minister, who had more balls of steel than Frank and stood up to Sir Humphrey much better, even beating him at times.

[@Account.for.Comment]

@@johnking5174 Dorothy is an inherited advisor to the previous PM, while Humphrey is only recently ascended to the his new role, so Dorothy can survive better than Wiesel, as she knew what she up against. It is the show statement of how strong the PM power over a minister. Though, in my favorite episode of YPM, Dorothy quickly go agsinst democratic reforms, the moment she realized those reforms will destroy Jim' s survivability along with the civil service.

[@JohanHerrenberg]

Undimmed brilliance.

[@12alocin]

All those years ago and still apt!

[@delivererx]

This show needs to be aired again. Just so today's people can get some perspective!

[@xr6lad]

It would go right over the zoomer generation heads - the ones never taught to critical think and look at context.

[@NathanTheDwarvenShark]

@@xr6lad I am 19, almost 20. And I adore this show, I even went onto Britbox so I could watch the whole thing. There are certaintly some people around my age that would find interest in this show. And even if that isn't the case, many of the older generations would likely love to watch it.

[@sledge3581]

Probably the most polite bit of outrage I’ve ever seen

[@BwanaFinklestein]

Christ they were brilliant!

[@lightyagami1752]

You cut out the best part. When Frank Weisel threatens to blow the lid and gets bribed himself.

[@AlifNurfakhri]

You've cut out the last bit which is the best political pivot ever

[@thiagodeandrade7081]

I said it before and Imsay it again, Hacker is the Willie E. Coyotte of British politics. He can walk up in the air until he notices he is going to fall.

[@rezimonavardisashvili393]

"Trade unionist for example? tap tap. "What about Joe Morgan?" "Joe Morgan excellent idea!" Magnificent series. Bit right next to this crowns this scene where Jim corrupts/bribes Frank who said he was going to adopt it as party policy. "Tahiti!"

[@michaelvidal1971]

This is the UK a minister would never bribe someone. He would merely suggest that the minister would find it difficult to recommnd him for something inthe present climate.

[@britannia2129]

Not often there’s a new Yes Minister clip on KZbin!

[@NickHand-c9l]

'It takes two to quango.' That's a serious contender for the title of the best line in the history of this show. And I think we'll all agree that this is saying something. It's up against some pretty stiff competition.

[@studiobencivengamarcusbenc5272]

The high morality of this scene is refreshing 😂🐳

[@ThomasHenryHoran]

What great writing. Hacker needs Humphrey because Humphrey knows the System. Humphrey needs Hacker because he can whole-heartedly flip-flop at the drop of a hat.

[@frednurk6173]

Ministerial responsibility would not require Hacker to take the blame for a previous Minister's blunder. Mind you, bragging about it on radio...

[@patrickhows1482]

This is over thirty years old, when politicians still had a sense of shame, not like today when they have to be prised out of office even when facing serious criminal allegations.

[@adegbeyekayodecoadegbeye8077]

Fire on the mountain! If I could just have a penny each time you make me laugh!

[@sugarnads]

It takes two to QANGO..possibly the best line in the entire show

[@theconnoisseurofeverything4645]

Union official: “But what about the Minister?” Sir Humphrey: “The Minister doesn’t know his ACAS from his NALGO.”

[@denisvalente6844]

Sir Humphry: "Surely anybody with the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh can understand our case." Master of Baillie College: "Yes.... and Hacker is of the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh?" Sir Humphrey "Oh yes....... on his day"

[@elliottmcnear8516]

Sun readers don’t care who runs the country as long as she’s got big tits

[@thechosenone1533]

You cut out the best part where Frank is also offered a quango to keep quiet.

[@TM-sg1fr]

When the BBC was class

[@bean5213]

Paul Eddington was the best actor out of the three.

[@robpaton2981]

the current government in australia should listen to this

[@dubey_ji]

Sir Humphrey was kind enough to ask minister not to mention it

[@sheevpalpatine6070]

What a great show

[@yodieindrawan5193]

What an efficient govt we have here

[@shaxter]

Hilarious truly

[@conservativemike3768]

Beating a helpless radio exemplifies the oft violent contradictions between external expressions of political amity and internal intent.

[@SuperParatech]

And this is precisely how it is done in government Less of a comedy and more of a documentary

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

It's satire

[@SuperParatech]

@@sampuatisamuel9785 look above you - that is the point flying by. You missed it ... as usual

[@dubey_ji]

Not a bad chap sir desmond says chap a lot in yes prime minister

[@davidmarshall3683]

"Imminent collapse of economy, meh"-Boris Johnson.

[@deesplaylists6941]

Sir Humphrey can't be beat lol.

[@drxym]

No wonder they got rid of Frank Weisel. Dead weight in every scene.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

Oh for Jim Hacker as Prime Minister now!

[@davidcooks2379]

He is pro-European, that's out of fashion now

[@winternow2242]

Why didn’t Humphrey just tell Hacker WHY he shouldn't speak out on the project? I'm guessing that Humphrey was baiting him.

[@ivetavalachovicova5523]

😀😀😀

[@marvinc9994]

A thousand 'REFUGEES'? Sounds like LUXURY in 2023!!!

[@dr.d5920]

And having been a political appointee once myself I was in due time sacrificed by my political superiors.

[@pressureworks]

Stop what minister....

[@jyotimaigogoi8318]

Bureaucracy in a nutshell

[@samdumaquis2033]

Hahaha

[@Sara-dr3xy]

🌷

[@mithrandir491]

This is another brown envelope job.

[@nlorand9033]

This comedy does not age. Politics same today as it was then. Margaret Thatcher enjoyed the show.

[@gilberrr283]

I vaguely remember what a quango was! I have no idea what, if any, streaming service has the full episodes of this series and Yes Prime Minister! Prime Minister Trudeau won't like the relevance of this particular video clip either! Politics has always been a hobby of mine, especially Canadian politics! It's so much stranger than British politics. I find both fascinating and a little bit saddening all at the same time. Hey ho, I'll just watch more comedy and less news. 🤔

[@cogidubnus1953]

Quangos are alive and well and thriving, albeit under alternative identities...the gravy train keeps running, and the snouts are always at the trough...

[@calgar365]

RedReubs Close, Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation.

[@bobbobbly7900]

this was supposed to be a tv show,,not a ''how to'' for govts..as relevant now .if not more so.

[@De-Nigma]

Britbox has them all on there.

[@K9TheFirst1]

I watched the full franchise on Amazon Prime. Though you have to buy the series.

[@thisismetoday]

A time when there was no women in government

[@viperswhip]

Tea Ladies and Typists or whatever they were called.

[@tumu_bandit]

There's a reason civil servants deserve capital punishments.

[@heliotropezzz333]

For speaking truth to power?

[@summushieremiasclarkson4700]

Idiot

[@wholeNwon]

And yet they are the ones that actually make gov't. function.

[@rawlinsonboy]

First time I've seen a clip of Yes Minister, lord it's boring, how is this even funny?

[@nafis_zaki]

If you discard it by not watching it in its entirety, you would feel bored. The clips are meant for those who have already watched the episodes. I believe you will enjoy it if you watch all the episodes.

[@wholeNwon]

De gustibus non est.....

[@CMOT101]

Well you require a modicum of intelligence to appreciate it, for a start.

[@jjwatcher]

Get back to sleep.

[@davidcooks2379]

You need the intellectual caliber of Christopher Robin to understand it