Yes, Prime Minister

In my years as a student of political science at the university of Leiden, one of the professors used to rave about these series whenever the subject of British politics was on the agenda. And even though that professor wasn't the most humorous of chaps, his quotes and tales from the series always guaranteed a good laugh.

I recently got hold of the entire series, and even though I do view them with a somewhat scholarly mind (old habits, and such), laughing out loud is my usual response. So cleverly written, such an exquisite cast of characters, such a mild way of portraying profound cynicism ("A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist", dixit Sir Humphrey Appleby).

I will probably still look at it in ten, twenty, thirty years time (if I live to see the day) ... knowing that there will always be a Sir Humphrey Appleby, a Bernard Woolley and a Right Honorable James Hacker around somewhere preventing the series from becoming outdated.

I don't know if that's something to look forward to, but if it guarantees the same laughs, I'm all for it!

Jim Hacker is England's Prime Minister. He does have some good ideas, but Sir Humphrey -- played by Nigel Hawthorne -- always makes sure that none of Jim's ideas are realized. Jim Hacker is a Tory, alright, but he is in fact more of a liberal man -- that keeps Sir Humphrey busy, who would do anything to keep the UK from adopting progressive politics. Of course, Jim himself does have some serious flaws himself, not so much on the political, but rather on the personal side -- this makes Sir Humphrey's "job" a lot easier.

Nigel Hawthorne spreads the same kind of Tory charm that he does in _Her Majesty Mrs Brown_, where he interprets D'Israeli. _Yes PM_ is for those who like a bit of politics and LOTS of humour: the eternal fight between progress (Jim, his wife, Dorothy) and reaction (Sir Humphrey and Bernard, Hacker's secretary, who's always driving the others mad with his speeches on Latin and Greek grammar...)

It is not easy for everyone to link laughter with politic which, in my opinion, is serious. YPM made it, wow! What matters most is that even today, 2020, this old Series still can make people reflect on.

In the final episode of 'Yes Minister' Jim Hacker, the Minister for Administrative Affairs, is surprisingly chosen to be Prime Minister... this series shows what happens next. That turns out to be very much the same in that the Civil Service, in the form of Sir Humphrey Appleby, seem to be making most of the decisions... although Hacker does occasionally get the better of him. Since he is now PM he has bigger ideas and bigger problems. Jim now has Dorothy Wainwright, a political advisor, on his side; Sir Humphrey finds her an irritation. Bernard Woolley is still present as the PM's Principal Private Secretary; always ready to correct a mixed metaphor.

If you enjoyed 'Yes Minister' this is a must see; the wit is as sharp as ever and all the main characters return. Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds continue to be great as Hacker, Sir Humphrey and Bernard making us believe we are watching real people rather than characters. Deborah Norton is a fine addition to the cast as Dorothy Wainwright. The series is now over thirty years old but the politics still feels fresh... although it must be noted that most of the 'unacceptable' ideas to reduce smoking in the episode 'The Smoke Screen' have become law! Overall a great series that provides lots of laughs in every episode.

This, rather logical extension of the BBC "Yes, Minister" series is every bit as good. The hapless but, by now, far more politically savvy "Jim Hacker" (Paul Eddington) with the help of his civil service advisor "Sir Humphrey" (Nigel Hawthorne) and long-suffering aide 'Bernard" (Andrew Fowlds) has managed to wheedle his way to the job of Prime Minister. Our topics (i.e. his responsibilities) are now upscaled from the earlier series' as he deals with everything from arts funding to the defence of the Realm; he has to appoint a bishop and defend a tiny island from impending communist invasion - and most importantly of all; he mustn't upset relations with "The Palace"... Each episode tends to have a visiting guest to heighten the topic and exacerbate his invariably vacillating response to whatever needs to be done. "The Key" is probably my particular favourite as in this, "Sir Humphrey" is very much forced from his comfort zone... It's still a fantastic critique of the machinations at the very top of the British political establishment and frequently laugh out loud. It could probably be true of most international administrations (perhaps not in Paris!).