INFURIATING GOVERNMENT: Best Bits of Series 2 | Yes, Minister | BBC Comedy Greats

Our favourite behind-the-scenes political shenanigans from the second series of the award-winning satirical sitcom. Starring Paul Eddington as Cabinet Minister and would-be Prime Minister, Jim Hacker.
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[@GrayHateborn]

A few years ago I walked into Tesco in Halifax and they had a 5 dvd set of the complete Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister for £10. I still feel like I robbed them that day. More precious than gold.

[@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com]

You did rob them, Joe. Yet they robbed you as well.

[@veroniquendambo3242]

Sir, I guess you can still get those from the BBC though.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

Same thing happened to me a few years ago here in the US. About $15. Slapstick comedy is great...but there's something special about political comedy that could just as likely be a documentary.

[@Muck006]

The question is not if you robbed Tesco ... but rather if you intend to actually DO SOMETHING about the REAL POLITICIANS ... and most importantly BUREAUCRATS who actually do this exact garbage every day! The ENTIRE british bureaucracy has been infiltrated by REBRANDED COMMUNISM at this moment, just look at all the underage girls who never got help from police after being "forcefully culturally enriched" ... while the government agencies say that THEY CONSENTED / MADE BAD LIFESTYLE DECISIONS ... and so on. Look at the Dinghy-people ... drag Queen story hour for 6-8-year-olds in schools ... and so on. DO SOMETHING ... and let yourself be inspired by 1989 ... and how the countries of the Warsaw Pact GOT RID OF COMMUNISM!

[@SueLyons1]

@@veroniquendambo3242 BBC Player doesn't have them all in their archive, sadly

[@g00gleminus96]

"What idiot authorised that!?" "Ah, you did minister." Classic.

[@deesplaylists6941]

One of the best lines ever lol.

[@markwilliams7461]

And woud never admit it

[@chrispnw2547]

The character of Arnold (Cabinet Secretary) was extremely authentic and still resonates as completely accurate. A perfect example how in 'polite society' pressure is put upon a person to secure loyalty and cooperation. No shouting or histrionics required.

[@childofthe50s53]

He is my favourite character. Very subtle and smooth

[@garethmorris6314]

What they should do is secure loyalty to conscience,not towing the line to benefit their career!

[@DasSkelett]

52 minutes of Yes, Minister? This must be heaven.

[@mahmudgadauji2827]

That's exactly what I said to myself. But I think I have watched all videos before in their short form.

[@antoniomatassa5247]

This simply does not age. These three guys were magnificent. (Of course there were the writers, producers, directors and crew). But the delivery is just perfect. I could watch this endlessly. Not just hilarious but I suspect a very accurate depiction of government workings 😁

[@mahmudgadauji2827]

@@antoniomatassa5247 I am a Private Entrepreneur. I wouldn't know what happens in Government. But I have spoken to our Country's former Cabinet Secretary, former Head of Service and Former Defence Minister, and other Permanent Secretaries and they do tell me that yes, the Yes Minister's depiction is very close to reality. And indeed it is even Worse than that in the true sense. Do you work in Government?

[@antoniomatassa5247]

Mahmud Gadauji - I do work in Government, so I see some of this in real life 🙃

[@mahmudgadauji2827]

@@antoniomatassa5247 it makes me fancy working for Government. I think I might someday.

[@stevebrooks9119]

Sir Humphrey; "The Universities are up in arms about your suggestion Minister" Jim Hacker; "Oh yes, which Universities?" Sir Humphrey: "Both of them Minister..."

[@PassiveAgressive319]

My favourite line EVER😂😂😂😂 Suggesting only Oxford and Cambridge are the only 2 worth considering👏👏👏

[@thestrangeguy6084]

A documentary for the public, A comedy for the civil service, A tragedy for politicians.

[@harrybjr]

Should be a comedy for the public, documentary for the Civil Service and tragedy for the politicians.

[@riklangham6739]

WELL SAID . The most cogent EVER YET COMMENT on KZbin . Thank you for your input . STAY WELL : )

[@craigmcvay1]

NHS these are prothetic words.

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

sooooooo... being in the sleight of public service, i take notes, laugh and cry at the same time. maybe i take his honour too seriously xx

[@stuartfeeley3300]

@@blackphilip8936 wwasàãd

[@thewelder3538]

I nearly died laughing at, "Do you know how much this is worth?", "I believe the going-rate is thirty pieces of silver". Legendary writing.

[@markwilliams7461]

What u think u are only 1

[@markwilliams7461]

This was sureal

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@markwilliams7461 - its simply brilliant.

[@bamicheedy5559]

0

[@arnavmathur7646]

What's thr joke I couldn't understand?

[@guguigugu]

i love when he starts channeling Churchill

[@samuelfawell9159]

To be fair, I’m sure at one point EVERY British political figure tried to pretend to be Churchill.

[@oktfg]

@@samuelfawell9159 makes a change from the chuckle brothers I guess

[@bradameerbeg2154]

Me too.

[@samuelfawell9159]

@Nic Berni you need a very particular face to properly get the Churchill rumble

[@samuelfawell9159]

@Nic Berni that and drinking constantly.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Now all three main Character Actors are gone, such a shame. Brilliant writing and acting. Never to be seen again.

[@michaelholmes5687]

I think the fact that the writers had 'Inside Moles' feeding them tidbits, certainly helped with the scripts.

[@stephenphillip5656]

Sad that the "Race to the bottom" has swept away this type of erudite comedy. "Love Island" etc is just the latest in an endless conveyor belt of trashy pap for the masses. No content, just airheads. Very sad.

[@michaelholmes5687]

@@stephenphillip5656 100%

[@Muck006]

This stuff is absolutely true ... but are YOU BRITS ... going to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? GET RID OF THE BUREAUCRATS and ban them from "public life" ... tell them to "learn to FARM". The "how to get rid of them" is EASY ... just follow the examples from 1989, when lots of Warsaw Pact countries GOT RID OF COMMUNISM ... through *PERSISTENT ... PEACEFUL ... MASS PROTEST!* Just DO IT!

[@christianfreedom-seeker934]

The grim reaper must not have liked the Monty Python sketch about Death arguing with Britishers on vacation! You Brits have the worst luck sometimes! You lost New York, which turned into a major economic center, London was flatten by bombs in WW2, the IRA went on a bombing campaign and the European Union turned out to be a dud. Plus getting ousted from Afghanistan a second time. And Hong Kong! Oh well, sometimes it is better to count your blessings, Scotland hasn’t left the UK yet and Wales is still too drunk to even consider itself it’s own country and Cornwall will likely drop into the North Atlantic. 😂😂😂😂

[@lloydjenkins7931]

My father always said this was a documentary, not a comedy.

[@FanVidder72]

Finding it hard to focus on this as a comedy.

[@peterflom6878]

It's both

[@glynjones3727]

It certainly made me laugh!!

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

always been a doco.

[@clairee4939]

Great well researched satire. I love this show even though it's a bit dated in some aspects. Someone once bought me a serious set of casette tapes by the writer called "how to beat Sir Humphrey" 'advising how to take on officials.

[@davidberan9612]

Every stone will be left unturned - always cracks me up.

[@Spacegamejunkie]

As much as I love Appleby, when Hacker goes into "Churchill" mode it always, ALWAYS kills me.

[@atikshagarwal5147]

Lol, "We shall reform on the beaches" and the touch on his coat!!😂😂😂👌👌

[@Spacegamejunkie]

@@atikshagarwal5147 YES! Kills me every damned time.

[@asvarien]

I love your reviews on Steam, I'm a long time subscriber!! And you like Yes Minister, that makes you an all round awesome person.

[@Spacegamejunkie]

@@asvarien Oh wow thank you so much! Well met!

[@YoonbeenPark]

"Economize... on the beaches" (grabs lapel)

[@richardtawse8613]

"I'm not in any sense repremanding you", that's when you know you've crossed the line.

[@jimspink2922]

"I'm sure you know what your doing. But this could cause people to reflect on your soundness". "Anyway I thought it might be a good idea to have a little chat". Civil Service speak for we are not very happy with your running of the Dept perhaps a transfer to another Department of minor importance could be on the cards

[@rubyshah5844]

I love it, “there are no patients”

[@metaphysicalmigraine694]

you know who the sick are without a doubt in this backwards funny farm where the animals are in charge of the zoo.

[@fazole]

They really developed Paul Eddington's character very well over the series from hesitant, worrying, fawning opportunist to a confident, cunning, survivalist.

[@highdefboxing8056]

Did you ever watch Special Branch?

[@toobasaurus23]

When I was young, my father loved this series. I would listen but couldn't understand most of it. When I grew up and went to university to study politics and law, I started listening to it again. I'm 40 years old now, and it's still masterful in its content and delivery. All of the policy and administrative hang-ups are still relevant today: jobs for the boys, the lobbyists... it's all still there in 2021. That makes this show timeless.

[@mighty-roman]

TLDR: This show is a documentary.

[@friktionrc]

Funny how you had to go to Uni and study law and politics to watch and watch this again lol....you and me are the same age....though I too studied at Uni (engineering)....I realised way earlier how politics worked....but I guess as my family were from outside the UK, I could see how politicians here and the press spread lies ....thing is , now I’m as old as or maybe a tad older than you, my entire working life has been in the public sector, in both Central and Local Government and precisely nothing has changed over the decades since this was aired....aside from the fact that ‘race’ is now a political bargaining chip and used to get votes.....that and the fact that each generation seems less tolerant compared to those who came before....one only has to look at how big the extreme wings of the political bird has become when, back then it was the ‘centre’ who had the numbers and the extreme Left and Right who were in the minority....... United we stand....Divided we fall...and what better way to manipulate a population from the outside than have them infighting amongst each other

[@veroniquendambo3242]

Indeed!

[@michaelholmes5687]

I was working at HP at the time and had several Government Departments as my Customers. I suggested to my boss and my colleagues who were selling to Gov't, this should be mandatory viewing, and it was fun, great fun comparing notes with the Real Govt Department Heads...

[@daanvos194]

the politics of europe is exactly the reason europe is getting behind on the rest of the world

[@callandick429]

All three were great actors, but Nigel Hawthorn captured Sir Humphrey to perfection. His poise, smile, every single movement summed the character up. Just look at a simple action of handing over a pound note at 45:55, the way he takes the wallet out his pocket, opens it, licks his fingers carefully, and takes the note between two fingers, not thumb and finger. Every single detail calculated for the character. A masterclass in acting.

[@carolinestallard6165]

I agree, Nigel Hawthorne was a genius xxx

[@SoldierAnt1590]

Magnificent

[@95DarkFire]

11:40 "A committee sits on it" Such a great pun amongst all the other great jokes.

[@NathanGriffithsNZ]

"Minister! We don't measure our success by results, but by activity!" - some things never change.

[@wendygerrard8454]

It's predictive programming, the TV and BBC are there to sanitiser what evil plans they have.

[@richardkus4552]

@@wendygerrard8454 kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@johnperry3773]

Aa

[@fromgermany271]

Is this part of a PM curriculum?

[@garryreeve8884]

The pl p

[@three-quartersbadger2929]

That first scene about the hospital is brilliant because of the way that Hacker reacts. His bemusement and amusement and expression on his face is priceless, then when Humphrey doubles down and says that everyone is overworked is just gold.

[@as368uk]

My favourite moment in Yes, Minister is when Sir Humphrey is suspected of being a KGB spy. “I can’t be a Soviet spy, I didn’t go to Cambridge!”

[@hasnatsujon]

It was actually from Yes, Prime Minister

[@lomax343]

Cambridge produces spies. Oxford produces prime ministers. I prefer Cambridge.

[@jennymckenzie5304]

@@lomax343 In America's case they have neither so they simply produce both in one.

[@tolep]

He also said "I'm not one of them, I'm a married man".

[@RabbiHerschel]

@@jennymckenzie5304 We mostly produce Israeli spies, excuse me, "dual citizens", and populate the highest echelons of government with them.

[@dxbwinenaudio]

When I grew up in India, it was shown weekly on the TV. I recorded every episode (of PM and M) and must have watched it at least 100 times- no exaggeration. I have read both the books and for once I can say that a series did better than the book. This is timeless- still watch it every day.

[@carnivaltym]

The books had the additional layer of Bernard's, as Sir Humphrey's succesor, annotations which were an utterly sublime addition to the magic!

[@hidayatsatari1315]

@@carnivaltym penoty vsirehhh, love me this nite donnt love me 2 morrow!.

[@hidayatsatari1315]

Donnt love me 2morrow come back again zomeothrr day 2 love me.

[@jparmar1]

They even adapted to Indian context in Ji MantriJi with Farooq Sheikh as the minister but can't find any episodes. However the books are available

[@darthwiizius]

One of the few things us Brits are good at is satirising ourselves, and in this show's case with beautiful writing and acting. There's even the odd bits of coarse humour for all us plebs to enjoy, my favourite one is about the newspapers: Hacker: "What will the papers say?" Humphrey: "Well the Mirror is read by people that think someone else should run the country, the Guardian is read by people who think they should run the country, the Financial Times is read by people who own the country, the times is read by the people who do run the country, the Telegraph is read by people that think another country should run the country and the mail is read by people who think that another country does run the country". Hacker: "What about the Sun" Bernard: "The Sun is read by people who don't care who runs the country as long as she's got big tits" I mean in fairness it's pretty accurate.

[@Choccoxlattejosie]

This programme is 40+ years old but is still as relevant now as then. Great scripts , brilliant acting. Compare this to other supposed to other programmes of the time, undoubtedly the best ever.

[@martavdz4972]

This series was broadcast in 1981, so it´s just 40 now in 2021.

[@JUANKERR2000]

Nothing offered now comes close in quality of writing, acting and presentation.

[@davidhull2426]

Yet we don't revolt whilst believing we are actually better than Russia..🙄

[@beelengkang983]

@@martavdz4972

[@momoisse9773]

@@JUANKERR2000 l9

[@nathelondon3719]

Great scripts. Great actors. How do you know that something is a comedy classic? When it is fresh, relevant and hilarious 40 years later! RIP all concerned. The laughter goes on....

[@ajayredonkulus6628]

It’s a credit that such a short run series’ ‘best bits’ for a single season is nearly an hour long. Art, sheer art.

[@TheFtocFactor]

If you really want to watch the best bits, you have to watch the entire series. 😆

[@TheRip72]

@@TheFtocFactor Very true. No scene is wasted.

[@timewalker6654]

Unbelievable, This show is so good even today.

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

Inestimably so

[@69mosshead]

Not just good but still extremely relevant, could be about the current mod.

[@johndavies-gay813]

and accurate too , as recent events have shown and indeed do show.

[@zacksmith5963]

@@johndavies-gay813 well brexit made it relevant

[@johnferguson4089]

This was one of the funniest shows ever seen on television and it is still spot on with its topics.

[@jamestailyour7348]

This has to be the most utterly brilliant writing and acting ever created on television. And in spite of the decades since its creation, still so deliciously relevant.

[@oldtimer7635]

The mechanisms of politics and governance are unchanging.

[@frankiefelinesalwayswelcom5825]

Absolutely HILARIOUS series. As a government Civil Servant employee of years ago, I found this such a great comedy. Not only that English comedies are so much funnier. Sir Humphrey is so perfect at talking around in circles about nothing to pull the wool over the eyes of the Minister, and get his way. SIMPLY PRICELESS !!! LOVE IT !!!

[@jmcallion2071]

Sir Arnold was one of those characters that became the glue that held together the whole series. His ability to cause Sir Humphrey such unease speaks volumes!!!

[@Jamie_Pritchard]

A very VERY powerful man!

[@childofthe50s53]

My favourite character

[@EdgyShooter]

Bernard is my favourite character, the backhands to both Sir Humphrey and the minister is perfect

[@taffythegreat1986]

You can’t beat the British sit coms. Classics unto themselves 👍👍

[@FGN123]

Whole scene with Sir Arnold at 7:50 was a good way of reminding people that Sir Humphrey himself often comes under heavy pressure to act the way he does with the Minister.

[@beckymccreary592]

I absolutely love this series. How on earth they memorized those fast witty lines is beyond me.

[@oldtimer7635]

Their job. ; )

[@droceretik]

I love how he snaps the pencil, expressing his tension and exasperation with Sir Humphrey.

[@lehlongwane]

"Go!" *Snap*😆

[@walterlangendorf8517]

The minister's face after 'they don't think you are important enough to be worth assassinating' is masterful.

[@SueLyons1]

'Wouldn't 'ert' a fly' Brilliant, Bernard

[@johnking5174]

Yes Minister Series 2 commenced airing on 23rd February 1981 - so 40 years ago this month of February 2021! Wow!

[@peterflom6878]

If you listen closely, Humphrey's speeches always make sense. It's amazing

[@MijmerMopper]

This is why I love this series. It's not just busytalk, there is an actual coherent logic in what he says.

[@johnwolf6082]

Can you give any example of it. All he says is that nothing has to been done so do nothing.

[@joncooper2036]

@@johnwolf6082 Sir Humphrey: The identity of the official whose alleged responsibility for this hypothetical oversight has been the subject of recent discussion is not shrouded in quite such impenetrable obscurity as certain previous disclosures may have led you to assume; but not to put too fine a point on it, the individual in question is, it may surprise you to learn, one whom your present interlocutor is in the habit of defining by means of the perpendicular pronoun. Hacker: I beg your pardon? Sir Humphrey: It was... I.

[@SamvedIyer]

@@joncooper2036 Yeah, it is not an unintelligible combination of words; just more orotund than usual. Devoting close attention indeed renders these sentences comprehensible.

[@tolep]

@@joncooper2036 How is the British Empire under the rule of Humphreys and Arnolds?

[@SilverSurfer5150]

This series is probably the best comedy series ever written. I’d say it tops even Fawlty Towers and OFAH!

[@robertriva1313]

I'm with you on that.

[@tivvy9708]

Yes Minister is brilliantly written, yet in my opinion Fawlty Towers is and will always be number one.

[@JobiWan144]

What's OFAH?

[@SilverSurfer5150]

@@JobiWan144 Only Fools And Horses, 😊👍🏻

[@fuckamericanidiot]

@@JobiWan144 It's an Italian expression of incredulity

[@TheFtocFactor]

Best comedy writing ever! Not a single swear word. No innuendos or sex scenes. No violence. When you can write, you don't need those.

[@leons.kennedy6710]

There was one swear word about the Sun newspaper 😂

[@alerojas2952]

Ok boomer

[@dugandav1]

A timeless reminder of how government really works!

[@davidbillyard6629]

Unfortunately…

[@TheDavidMottram]

The scriptwriting and delivery are just superb

[@votemonty1815]

A Masterclass in Political Theory

[@tolep]

only full episodes

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

i grew up on this. unfortunately.

[@starchy101]

Political practice*

[@adamabbas1487]

I love the Churchill lapel grab when he starts buying into his own speeches.

[@ericmraustralia1252]

As much as i loved other shows from British comedy , such as the Goodies, Benny Hill, Black Adder, Red Dwarf etc etc , Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister has to be my ALL TIME favourites. Got every episode on DVD and i watch them constantly , never get tired of it.

[@rosycandyhaven]

I read your comment and Graham Greene was in a scene! Haha

[@ericmraustralia1252]

@@rosycandyhaven Graham green or Graham garden from the goodies. Garden played a secret service man when hacker got the death threat.

[@albertbresca8904]

@@ericmraustralia1252 at he 18 min mark... i was on ebay and heard his voice... and thought - that is graham from the goodies... looked at it and yes..!!!

[@michaelwalters327]

These series are the best. The writing The acting Are absolutely the best, dear anyone to any offer other comedy as close to this program. They are still relevant after do many years.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

The facial expressions of Eddington and Hawthorne throughout this series are priceless. Perfect example is of course the last scene in this compilation (Hawthorne) and Eddington expressions are even batter in many scenes were they come totally in stead of words.

[@gdj6298]

Jay and Lynn said that Eddington would often say "Do I have to say this bit ? I can do that with my face"..... he could replace lines of script with a series of facial expressions as thoughts followed each other through Hacker's mind.

[@corneliusdrvanderbilt822]

7:58 ... Linking Honours to Economy ... I am a retired Senior Civil Servant ... the language, body language and gestures are so real that I can vouch, both must have seen such in real life. I joined it at a tender age of 25, as a doe eyed Public Servant. Four decades later, retired as a burnt out silver coin. It is the Civil Service of a country that runs the country. They are underpaid and unappreciated, even abused. They work the hardest yet, rewarded the least. Sir Humphrey, at his peak, was paid pittance when compared to Elizabeth Taylor, who never attended a University letting alone getting double first. The Situation Comedy was written and acted so diligently that the public took it as a Documentary to the point where HM the Queen, at a Gala, took Nigel Hawthorne, as the Permanent Secretary: 'What are you doing here?' she remarked. Apparently, what was Her Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet, doing among Actors. 'I am an Actor.' he answered with courtesy. 'Oh, are you?' 'Yes, Mam!' Yes Minister brought down Politicians' House of Cards.

[@zukerburgsshadow4147]

Sir I am from India and we have inherited the bureaucratic system from UK. Everything in the series + what you said is very relatable to us. Civil Services exam of India is the most competitive exam in the world because people want the power to run the country in real way ;)

[@igimyoume1515]

I agree with you Sir

[@szaito451]

I don't doubt that the civil service is most responsible for running the country - but consequently they're also most responsible for running it into the ground.

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

There is a scene with Sir Humphrey getting very red in the face saying, parliaments may come and go, bureaucracy lives forever. I still cannot find it. Have you ever seen that scene?

[@5433D]

Good post Sir Cornelius

[@Rushmore222]

Inebriated Hacker @14:00 is hilarious. He lets it all loose through slurred umbrage.

[@mahiraskirata]

The recycled paragraphs for different speeches just gets me every time. OMG. *chef kiss*

[@marquonuk]

The first series took a few episodes to settle into the comedic style and the characterisation that we think of when we picture the show now, but after that through to the end of Yes Prime Minister, every episode was complete gold that can be watched and enjoyed endlessly.

[@saidtheactress]

Smartest writing of any television program.

[@tedstrikertwa800]

What a masterpiece in comedy. Utterly utterly brilliant.

[@larryparis925]

How this actor, the one speaks in the first few minutes, could memorize such accurate details and express them so naturally is amazing.

[@slatibaadfast]

The first guy, is Nigel Hawthorne, Sir Humphrey Appleby. His ability to memorise such large pieces of script is legendary.

[@gabrielbalbec883]

Being a citizen of France, I am amazed at how the beginning of the interview matches the current situation with our own hospitals : fewer doctors, fewer nurses, fewer wards, but an ever expanding administrative body interfering with the work of those remaining. Thanks to the old (and defunct?) BBC, and all those who participated in this show. You're more precious than ever.

[@owentill]

Not defunct (as of yet) but the government is planning to stop funding it (as much? Correct if wrong) at some point

[@jkolorath]

The satirical depiction of the exorbitant exchange of ideas through a verbal medium amongst the non judicial arms of British government has resulted in- personally speaking- in my appreciation of this two dimensional presentation of moving frames in a swift fashion, through applying my finger on the sign which suggests the hand justure indicating encouragement by means of positioning the clutched fist against a perpendicular thumb pointing towards the direction opposite of the gravitational pull.

[@jdrancho1864]

Nice try, but I could still make out what you meant.

[@jkolorath]

@@jdrancho1864 Well done man. U can almost be a civil servant yourself. 😅

[@stephenphillip5656]

"You *COULD* do Sir Humphrey's job...!"

[@jkolorath]

@@stephenphillip5656 ha ha😂

[@iteor7320]

"but there are NO patients!"

[@strafrag1]

Fab series. I still crack up laughing when I think of the chain smoker who is made Minister of Health.

[@offrampc]

While there are so many aspects of this show that are hilarious, not enough credit is given to when Hacker goes into his "quote for the newspapers" like at 7:24. I find it absolutely hilarious.

[@vijaysharma8382]

My appeal, whenever they make a list of greatest TV series, this should be in the top 10.

[@grzegorzmielcarek4359]

"Try to land on your head. Quicker." I've always followed that one.

[@stephenphillip5656]

Graham Garden from "The Goodies".

[@George-ph6qo]

The absolute brilliance of this series. The wonderful talented actors. The funniest thing is that it is still relevant to this day and well into the future. Will the young who have been conditioned to short attention span be able to enjoy the longer intellectual scenes and manipulation of the English language. I hope so.

[@autishd]

The brilliance of this series is that it’s now over 30 years old and still as funny as ever. The tragedy of this series is that it still remains as funny and relevant.

[@davidhull2426]

We love lemmings..

[@rrajdippawskar9853]

Sir Humphrey looks like a teddy bear, especially with his reactions everytime Hacker outshines him.

[@jimspink2922]

"This is the greatest disaster this century Bernard" "There were two world wars Minister"

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

It is very impressive how long a stream of clauses Sir Humphry manages to provide without hesitation, and does so even without the aid of blank verse, which Shakespeare's actors used and is very helpful.

[@artofthepossible7329]

Nigel Hawthorne was an stage actor, so memorizing scripts was something he had long experience in.

[@Sameoldfitup]

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams.

[@makila7715]

To date, the most illuminating, instructive and funny insights into the functioning of British government. I watch the series at regular intervals. :)

[@bobbythorman7421]

And the Australian government also,sorry to say.

[@markuskoivisto]

Pretty much any government or large organization.

[@donaldteuber8588]

This show did a fabulous job of demonstrating the insanity of the system totally out of control.

[@gaygaz9737]

:-)

[@oldtimer7635]

But it is in control, not by them we assume, but still.

[@CallumKray]

10:03 There is absolutely nothing I can think of that could be more perfect on our glorious spinning planet, than a 1980's green screen scene... Pure and utter seamless perfection..

[@SylentEcho]

YP and YPM are two of the greatest TV shows ever made! Both are easily in the Top 10, with Yes Prime Minister being in the top 5 for sure!

[@sanjayvenkatesh9631]

Timeless classic. Never will there be another masterpiece like this. "Have you considered masterly inactivity?" Some of these lines are immortal and legendary.

[@davidthedeaf]

As an American, I find this amazingly funny, and relatable! Not all UK shows are. I interned in Congress in 2014, and minored in government in university in DC. This looks eerily familiar.

[@davidpitulej9113]

As an American, I'm sure you will carry on enjoying the complete box set of the Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister. ENJOY.

[@andyblyth4519]

Absolutely classic. Now sadly we know that Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister were not comedies but documentaries on the workings (or not) of government of incompetents.

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

Oh come on, viewers found the series funny because we knew what the public service were up to.

[@jmccallion2394]

Sir Arnold was the one figure who could make Sir Humphery dance to his tune!

[@trespire]

Some of the best, and most acurate, dialogue ever broadcast on TV.

[@Alcagaur1]

"Tomorrow morning your name will be manure!" is as clear, absolute and distinct a threat as anything overloaded with expletives.

[@laurahoward5426]

The greatest episode!!!

[@pareshkotecha3047]

Absolutely brilliant script and acting... fantastic comedy!

[@ProperLogicalDebate]

Looks like around 2:40 Hacker is thinking of in hospital activities while Appleby is thinking of out of hospital activities where the hospital is a office hub.

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

Comedy at its best....so well written AND performed by all charactors.....

[@oakstrong1]

Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister is my all time favourite and 'Compassionate society' is the best of them all!

[@houseofshuffles449]

8:35 Sir Arnold: "I'm not in any sense reprimanding you..." and Sir Humphrey's expression makes it all too clear he knows he jolly well IS being reprimanded.

[@stultuses]

I believe the going rate is 30 pieces of silver...Classic

[@fuchurZero]

This is probably one of the best sitcoms ever produced. A friend who lived in the UK introduced it to me, since then I am addicted. I was active in politics ( a small fish in comparison to a minister for sure bur I have some knowledge of the functioning of politics firsthand) this is so so accurate

[@philiproseel3506]

One of the gems of British television.

[@GrayHateborn]

Nope ... THE gem of British Television.

[@barbaras6792]

As true today as the day it was made. Brilliant satire on politics and the civil service.

[@Jester-Riddle]

Brilliant. Nothing of this quality produced by the BBC in many years ...

[@jeromefitzroy]

Because they copied the Americans

[@davidhull2426]

Parody to bluff voters of the time like a red wall knockdown..

[@davidhull2426]

BBC

[@paulyflyer8154]

40 years on this is more spot-on than ever. It's timeless.

[@kyneticist]

The subtle inflection of Humphrey's heartfelt disappointment at 13:17 is masterful.

[@CAMMYSINCLAIR]

how he remembered all that in the first sketch, I don't know, amazing, the best. Filmed Live in front of an audience.

[@tolep]

That doesn't mean no retakes.

[@gchecosse]

Theatre actors

[@davidpitulej9113]

All the actors play a role in the enduring parts of the show, My favourite has always been Bernard.

[@jediknight1294]

The lecture on assassination is actually a really good and very detailed explanation on how to protect an asset and how if someone is truly committed you can't stop it all you can do is narrow the opportunities to do so.

[@bjornalm9950]

"Thanks for dropping in, Humpfrey." Sir Arnold is savage.😂

[@christinescarff4920]

This is so true of the Civil Service and not too different from my experience of working in it ! A hospital without doctors or patients, just loads and loads old administrators ! As they say ‘ Many a true word spoken in jest ‘ ! 😂

[@anuradhajoshi7389]

2:35 Bernard looking at Hacker "Looks like my minister isn't that dumb after all" He's impressed

[@charlieboy1701]

This is simply the greatest show of all time. There will never be another show like this in my lifetime. I’m convinced. I’m grateful that I got to watch this.

[@stevenfarrington2361]

Best scene in Yes, Prime Minister: Hacker talking to the Israeli Ambassador - "Who knows what the Foreign Office is up to other than the Foreign Office?" Ambassador: "That's easy, the Russians!" Hacker's face...

[@user-mi7dq5gs3w]

I have nerver tired to watche these tv series again and again because as today there are no matches with both these genius speeches and these genius actors. Please let know if a better tv series exists now.

[@philiphughes4117]

Forty odd years later, and still very apt. What say you, Sir Humphrey?

[@Ag3nt0fCha0s]

I wanna answer on his behalf with something like “we are privileged to have the honour of continuing in the greatest and grandest conditions of British government.” But let’s be honest, I am not at the level of the writers or actor.

[@rudolftrost3534]

Hacker going in Churchill mode always cracks me up...

[@SamLeChiq]

“Every stone will be left unturned” 😂