Humphrey Goes Ballistic When Jim Goes Off-script | Yes Minister | BBC Comedy Greats

Jim appears to do a complete reversal of what he's been saying to the committee, for which he gets fully rewarded.
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[@tommyjd12345]

that look Sir Humphrey gives after the word "loyalty" utterly priceless!

[@sanjay7pisces]

It cracks me up every time Jim does a Churchill !

[@krystianszczerbak9770]

on the beaches :p

[@oniflrog4487]

*economize on the Beach* 🤣😂

[@gurbindersekhon8240]

@@oniflrog4487 dude!! I was about to say that!!!

[@danielsark4118]

Yes!!!!

[@janesmith9024]

"I believe the going rate is 30 pieces of silver Minister"... so funny, so true

[@kagekun1198]

Judas reference lol

[@ryanalving3785]

"I have backed you up Humphrey, in just the same way as you have always backed me up. Isn't that so?"

[@AnthonyMute]

That's hilarious 😆😆😆

[@jimtaylor294]

"Judas was paid", after all.

[@18000rpm]

I legit LOL'd

[@meirwise1107]

The only time Jim can beat Humphrey is in public! The expressions on both actors faces are priceless. RIP. These don't need to be remade. Just rerun them. They are as funny, fresh and topical as when they were made. That is the sign of classic comedy folks.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Some of the topics dreamt up by the script writers have over the years come to pass.

[@chyoli6220]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 Many (if not all?) of the topics used in the scripts had already occurred, even though they weren't publicly known at the time. The scriptwriters had excellent sources who willingly shared their knowledge in exchange for anonymity.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@@chyoli6220 and manycame to pass and become law after these programmes were made.

[@TheRichardSpearman]

Good point re "re-making" the series. They are never as funny... as was proved when the re-makes sank without trace, not just this series, but Dads Army and others.

[@ribbonsofnight]

@@TheRichardSpearman the poor dad's army movie. The cast wasn't lacking for big names but when you watch to the end of the movie you just feel underwhelmed.

[@abhijitoka]

"dear jim" 3:07 "Dear Jim" 3:10 Paul Eddington's expression and delivery was no less than Nigel Hawthorne

[@PTCello]

I have looked for this scene so many times! “ I believe the going rate is thirty pieces of silver!” What a superb line.

[@leftcoaster67]

Considering earlier he threw Hacker under the bus, I think it's fitting.

[@FGN123]

Right after this scene Jim really nails it: Jim: I have backed you up, Humphrey, in just the same way that you have always backed me up. Isn't that so? [Sir Humphrey murmurs something unintelligible] Jim: Did you say something? Bernard: I think he said "Yes, minister".

[@seagecko]

I love how Hacker recoils from the letter... best acting in television ever. Nobody made faces like them.

[@BillinHungary]

Paul was so good, that sometimes in the script, there would be a line for him to speak, and next to it, in parenthesis, were the words (Paul may omit this line and just use facial expressions).

[@cameronfrary9896]

One of the few times Hacker successfully goes against Humphrey...how he played that situation so well is beyond me

[@lvfc_4786]

Hacker is a very good politician, whereas Humphry is an administrator, and this scene showed it.

[@cwjian90]

He was given two choices by Sir Mark Spencer, the PM's special advisor: his own political survival or protecting his department. The choice was easy.

[@cameronfrary9896]

@@lvfc_4786 ah good point. I guess Humphrey's so good at wrangling "his minister" that I'm impressed when Hacker gets his way

[@cameronfrary9896]

@@cwjian90 haven't watched the episode (don't have BritBox) so thanks for the context

[@ahmedamine24]

@TheRenaissanceman65 "summons Jim for a drink" is a perfect summary of it. Well summed-up!

[@alanjenkins6768]

So much superb acting from Nigel without actually saying a single word.

[@davidparris7167]

This series never goes out of date.Absolutely brilliant.

[@michaeljames4904]

0:45 when Eddington has Jim drift into Churchillian bloviation it’s just so brilliantly done

[@georgina3358]

Yes, he's wonderful!

[@adamwelch6217]

We shall economise....on the beaches

[@cloudsparrow7729]

"bloviation" - mind if I borrow it? Great word, and a real one, I see

[@leeeastwood6368]

@@cloudsparrow7729, aha, you're trying to impress the birds with your sparkling intellect as well!

[@casperes0912]

@@leeeastwood6368 Impress the bird with bloviation for some blovation?

[@RahulKumar-qm5ip]

no writer now can write like this, this is a masterpiece, writing, acting, comic timing, brilliant..now days TV is really an idiot box.

[@keekwai2]

"No" writer? You REALLY need to actually READ more. LOL

[@deesplaylists6941]

At least back in our time, the idiot box was worth watching.

[@deesplaylists6941]

@@keekwai2 huh? He means writer as back then they only need one writer per episode other than that what insult are you trying to make?

[@bonnome2]

This was just a rare coincidence when the writing fitted the cast perfectly. Try finding someone that can play the role of Humphrey Appleby this well. If can't find that person, the show is doomed to fail.

[@duskpede5146]

back in my day things were good! now those darn kids don't know whats right anymore

[@davidgraham8299]

Paul, Nigel and Derek are absolutely irreplaceable. I just wish there was more of this show.

[@kensmith8152]

He threw Humphrey under the double decker bus! Lol 😂

[@leewatson9349]

So many years on and yet still as sharp as ever

[@equalityforall9902]

Fully agree

[@ruberthablackman3949]

I must admit I so love Sir Humphrey LOL those facial expressions were priceless.

[@snapdragon9300]

Speaking as a kiwi myself, has the tory party changed that much? Seems they really made a pigs breakfast of covid at least.

[@danieldickson8591]

Near the end when Hacker was speaking, I thought Humphrey was having an aneurysm -- his expression was frozen except for spasmodic twitching.

[@chrissielefranc1916]

Absolutely brilliant. What a pity we don’t have a similar type of programme these days, it would receive astronomical ratings through the roof.

[@Chris-hx3om]

No, it wouldn't. The IQ of the general viewer now is so low that 99% of the satire would sail way over their heads.

[@Warriorking.1963]

We could make a comedy based on Diane Abbott. It wouldn't even need a scripwriter!!! 😂

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@@Chris-hx3om I dont believe that. Everyone has gotten so used to the media saying the UK is obviously full of thick, uneducated, sub working class xenophobes everyone stopped looking at the facts. Ranked No4 most educated country in the world. The UK is ranked either 1st or 2nd for having the best education system in the world. I think Yes Minister only requires you to understand English and have a good sense of humour.

[@Chris-hx3om]

@@shelleyphilcox4743 Being 'the best' don't mean 'good', it just means the better than the rest, and if the bar is low, that's not an indication that it's good. And how exactly is that ranking applied? Is it 4th for the number of people who have attended school? Is it 4th for the teacher/pupil ratio? Is it 4th for the number of students 'passing' secondary school, and what constitutes a pass? How difficult is the examination to attain that pass? Overall, education standards have fallen, dramatically, over the last 50 years...

[@ahmedamine24]

@@Chris-hx3om Military service will give y'all a comprehensive education to make up for your... "Comprehensive Education"...

[@HPRam]

Together with Sky Sports Retro, this channel is serving such a wonderful purpose. It is rare when the (Prime) Minister gets one over Humpy, but when it happens, it is such a joy to behold. One shall never tire of watching these clips. And though certain aspects may become dated, the general thrust remains true of politics today.

[@leeeastwood6368]

brilliant!

[@WolfieRich1]

Humphreys face is so perfect LOL

[@vinayramachandran4992]

That priceless look on Sir Humphrey's face 😁😆😂

[@walterlangendorf8517]

"I believe in a thing called...Loyalty.", I'm rolling! Hahaha

[@palantyr]

"...Where they must seek out and destroy"; Jim at his Churchill mode

[@greebo6549]

Brilliant script with brilliant actors, just watching the facial expressions

[@another505]

JUDAS HACKER Betrays Humphrey " kindly call me God. "

[@GardEngebretsen]

Isn't Humpy a GCMG? "God Calls Me God"

[@rustykilt]

Clever, clever, intelligent and clever...just brilliant writing and Characterisation, when TV had something to offer other than the mindless dribble and reality TV garbage of today.

[@K1lostream]

Rusty Kilt Unfortunately it is shit-loads cheaper to pay some attention-craving fuckwit to make an arse of themselves than it is to pay competent scriptwriters and classically trained actors. Irritatingly it's also no less popular.

[@travisjohnson6703]

There's plenty of good stuff on TV, you just have to sift for it. Difficult I know.

[@minhtrungle9117]

0:06 I love Bernard's reaction. He seems to always be able to "feel" when either Humphrey or Jim is about to pull some remarkable theatrics.

[@sporkfindus4777]

This was when you got quality programmes for your licence fee. Worth every penny.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

Both Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are timeless series in every way in acting and content and use of the english language. The timing, the essence of comidy, of the actors is impeccable, and the facial expressions of Paul Eddington are a study within themselves.

[@phila2361]

Let us hope they never EVER try to remake these priceless gems.

[@JackWhite52]

They already tried, failed miserably.

[@ausbare140]

@@JackWhite52 with what show please

[@wonkybobson5704]

@@ausbare140 They made a new six-part series of Yes Minister on the channel Gold in 2013, which I think used the same actors as the 2010 stage play. Wasn't very well-received

[@clickrick]

@@wonkybobson5704 Seems like I missed it. Luckily.

[@rustykilt]

It should be part of the school curriculum, so we can all appreciate the true mechanics and machinations of Politics.

[@johnbritain1790]

The most admirable thing about these series is that they made such cutting, hilarious comedy based on dry, boring old politicians.

[@TechyMantis]

Love this show, still holds up today

[@sugarnads]

Love when he goes Churchill

[@stephenphillip5656]

Absolutely peerless comedy/documentary. "We shall never see its like again".... regrettably.

[@grease_monkey6078]

The thing that I noticed about Hacker is that He went into politics to help the country and its citizens, a noble cause for a politician but Humphrey represents the status quo and the sleaze that comes with the high class society and the civil service. Hacker was genuine but was always blocked by bureaucracy within government. When Hacker says the public should know what politicians say and do its always a problem with the civil service and they suppress His desire for a more honest government. The show was genius

[@musmus-culus]

Hacker was a good man but he could also be selfish and care too much about his image. Humphrey knew how to use Hacker's ego to his advantage.

[@button1ginger1]

The only way one can tell this isn't more modern is the style of women's dress. The high, cravat style scarf around the committee member's neck is pure 1980s, but aside from that, everything looks like it could have been made today. This wasn't just comedy or satire, every episode had an acting masterclass from the main characters, the writing was exceptional, the delivery was first class and the series spoke to everyone who watched it. That it's still remembered and quoted today is proof how good it was.

[@seagecko]

Agreed. This is possibly the best writing in television ever. Delivered perfectly. The political satire is as sharp as it was and relevant today. In may ways the writer actually predicted the future. Amazingly, the radio version is almost as enjoyable, even though the facial expressions are replaced by dramatic pauses. But maybe I just have the faces etched into my brain and simply enjoy the flawless acting. Sigh* when television strove to make us better.

[@victoriousrufus6747]

Pity you couldn’t look at her knickers to explain the design n year of manufacture!

[@paiman1976]

Those big corded telephones on the minister's desk would be another....

[@Paul-A01]

I love when Hacker turns on the Churchill voice

[@agenttheater5]

I love it when the Minister gets back at Humphrey......

[@doriswegner8006]

It is just amazing how true this is to this day and probably will be forever

[@oshi990]

This is what superb acting is all about!

[@deesplaylists6941]

These two were priceless!!

[@RichieS83]

I absolutely love Humphrey's expressions! 🤣🤣🤣

[@DoubleGauss]

Yes Minister is a British epic that will live on for centuries.

[@AZ-74]

This is miles better than the new spitting image

[@dogwalker666]

It always was.

[@samuelfawell9159]

To be fair the New Spitting Image is supposed to be satire, but the world has gone so bad it’s not really satire anymore it’s more truth than anything.

[@rat_king-]

@@samuelfawell9159 More like:revealing of the true thoughts of the media "intellectial class" attempting to rule over us

[@samuelfawell9159]

Rat King your tin foil hat is leaking

[@equalityforall9902]

truly！ the current spitting image is too crass, lacking finesse.

[@ugolomb]

I wish you hand't cut out the last few seconds: Hacker: No, Humphrey. Loyalty and integrity have received their just reward. Humphrey: Loyalty?!? Hacker: I have backed you up, Humphrey, in just the same way that you have always backed *me* up. Isn't that so, Humphrey? Humphrey (incoherent mutterings) Hacker: What's that you said? Bernard: I believe he said 'Yes, Minister'.

[@Aparup985]

Paul Eddington's timing is on point

[@beveragebrit]

You can see the rage building inside Humphrey and its amazing

[@verttikoo2052]

Brilliant actors and fantastic script

[@Eisenwulf666]

"he is a pleasure to work with" wow, Jim went for the jugular there, no fs given!

[@wedgeantillies66]

Humphrey looks like he about to blow a gasket when Jim’s a volte-face takes him unexpectedly aback.

[@aussieintexas61]

and look its hand written hahahah the look on jims face.....

[@kiwitrainguy]

"Do you realise how much this is worth?" Jim handles the piece of paper as though it is gold leaf.

[@omambianelson4853]

It is the best written show.

[@noersang]

You are absolutely right.

[@00bikeboy]

And best performed!

[@RahulKumar-ng2gh]

just brilliant, perhaps the best guide to Politics 101.

[@rockandrollwillneverdie4840]

My gosh that's a nice suit Eddington is wearing.

[@afinecity1830]

Yes I think I read that they had quality suits made for the main actors to add to the sense of realism - it definitely paid off.

[@highdownmartin]

Paul lapsing into Churchillian tones , apparently almost subconsciously, is always a joy.

[@peterflom6878]

It doesn’t get old and it doesn’t get dated Truly one ofbthe greatest shows in history

[@Freddie1980]

The Humpantor was certainly not impressed with Jim's admissions!

[@jamesboulger8705]

He gets concerned when the minister has "been thinking."

[@wedgeantillies66]

Humphrey's look of shock and horror as Jim goes completely off script and stabs him in the back is absolutely priceless.

[@ericp7129]

"30 pieces of silver" 😂😂😂

[@Ontheroadtourism]

I wonder how Sir Humphrey would have handled Covid

[@blyatman5891]

I think given the seriousness of such a situation, he'd find it in himself to temper his usual obstructionist tendencies. I don't think his normal willingness to do nothing and preserve the status quo would hold up against the fact that lives would be at stake.

[@Hundredyacrewoods]

The Four Stage Plan 1.Nothing is going to happen 2.It's possible something may happen but we shouldn't do anything about it 3.Maybe we should do something about it but there is nothing we can do 4.Maybe we could of done something but it is too late now

[@blyatman5891]

@@Hundredyacrewoods I may have to disagree with you. Sir Humphrey is, at heart, a technocrat and a man who places order above all else. I believe that he would have some idea the kind of general disorder that would result of letting the virus run rampant and he would help the British government find a way to curb its spread.

[@Hypogean7]

@@blyatman5891 And then give the Civil Service more money as "hazard pay". Remember his opinion on people dying to cigarettes.

[@johannesmajamaki2626]

@@blyatman5891 Agreed. I suspect we'd get initial brushing off, but as the gravity sets in a combination of fairly vigorous counter measures and some opportunistic expansion of the civil service. I don't think this would be from overcoming his tendencies, though: rather just simply arising from them!

[@thomasobrien4667]

Jim was such a nice man

[@drmamdooh99]

"When we should seek out and destroy"...lmao

[@chrisburch281]

I love this show. I'm going to watch it for the first time...in the (not so distant) future.

[@cathrinekatsigianni8823]

Superb acting!!

[@mikehamilton9128]

Priceless!!!

[@tommitchell1826]

brilliant just brilliant

[@alexlandherr]

Seeing Humphrey loosing it was one of the highlights of the show.

[@guitarlover302]

Just brilliant 👌😂😂

[@rubyshah5844]

Superb...

[@signalrepeater]

Dear Jim.............Dear Jim!!

[@sherryperry]

Priceless

[@studiobencivengamarcusbenc5272]

This is insane - the way they behave is a scandal , a joy and morally significant 😂

[@jonas1015119]

they look so young in this, especially Bernard. What episode is this?

[@TomTheSaintsGuy]

A Question of Loyalty, S2 E7

[@shreckm6470]

TV Gold.

[@PaulGaither]

It isn't that writers today can't do this, but rather that networks and producers wouldn't support a show like this without sex, bathroom humor and the occasional explosions and murder.

[@muchada15]

i believe the going rate is 30 pieces of silver ..betrayal(judas)

[@coam3708]

watch Bernard in the background ..................brilliant AS A EXTRA .................RIP

[@michaeltaylor8835]

So true today

[@Weesperbuurt]

Judy Parfitt is still working at 85!

[@brucewilliams8714]

Oh yes, Sister Monica Joan. T'd never have known.

[@Weesperbuurt]

@@brucewilliams8714 i love her character on Call the Midwife.

[@philrobinson981]

Hello...It's ironic seeing her in this episode, having seen her last month in an old Roger Moore Saint showing on ITV4

[@daverage4729]

I always wondered what Malcolm Tucker would make of Jim Hacker? Friend or foe? :)

[@kylenetherwood8734]

Does Malcolm get along with any minister?

[@tornagh9200]

what season and episode is this?

[@Cancun771]

Really what kind of soulless monster would cut short the 30 pieces of silver quip at the end there?!

[@parthasarathysr2387]

For once, the minister had his day

[@haroldflashman4687]

Had to watch a 20s add pitching Ireland as a holiday destination! Well that’s one country off my list to travel.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Loyalty to the people

[@thomasmills339]

Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne would have lines in situations like these but would tell the show runner that they could do the scenes without speaking. Facial expressions only. They were allowed to try it and Anthony Jay admitted it was funnier than using the dialogue.

[@PTCello]

So annoying the clip cut out so soon..grrr

[@PTCello]

@TheRenaissanceman65 there was laughter. There’s Hackers reaction. There’s even Humphrey’s “follow through,” You cut out AFTER the reaction and not before. This cut off didn’t even allow for the completion of the line.

[@PTCello]

@TheRenaissanceman65 I’m not complaining to you. I don’t even know who you are. The clip cuts out too soon. That’s undeniable. If you didn’t do the cut, then I’m not talking to you.

[@bhawanikabra7364]

Where can I watch the entire series online?

[@ussspirit4812]

Which episode was this? Not often that hacker has Humphrey pinned.

[@johnnewsham5028]

Jimbo lapsing into \2pseudo churchill power speaking" genius

[@blakejonesii6485]

i believe the going rate is 30 pieces of silver minister....lol

[@hanszlh6522]

sublime !!!

[@wedgeantillies66]

Game, set and match to jim for a change.

[@uppanadam]

Judy Parfitt!! There ya go...she played the queen in the movie Ever After!!

[@AndreasDelleske]

Bert and Ernie vibes :)

[@Neil070]

Did Humphrey mention "Mark Spencer"? The current Leader of the House of Commons is Mark Spencer!

[@Paul-A01]

I guess Checkers is a bigger restaurant in England than it is in the US

[@AndyK.1]

Weekend home of the PM

[@iancoles1349]

British comedy at its best.When UK was Great Britain

[@jmshuk]

...and made by the BBC.

[@albertrogers2506]

All three of these characters are brilliantly played. I have a suspicion that the British Civil Service is allowed to do a better job than that of the USA.It seems to be too easy in the USA for a destructive ideologue to destroy carefully built agencies. I know that whereas the EIA data are likely to be accurate, its opinions and forecasts are likely to be tailored to fit politically popular beliefs.

[@josephgottfried1214]

You do know that brexit is a thing right?

[@Stinger913]

What r u talking about? The secretaries of executive departments are as replaceable as the ministers of a ministry. The civil servants within them are pretty much untouched. But the structure of America’s civil service is different than Britain’s because American servants are typically hired by each department rather than some umbrella civil service agency. I.e. the state department will hire you, but you wouldn’t be assigned to the IRS or commerce department unless you applied there.

[@stefanelzenga2584]

Dit is gewoon een kijkje in ruttes kabinet