Yes, Prime Minister

This show should never have been brought back.The original series was superb with wonderful performances from Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne supported by Derek Fowlds. this is just a farce with Henry Goodman miscast and completely ruined by David Haig playing exactly the same character he has made a living so doing since the thin blue line nearly 20 years ago. The man chronically overacts and makes the character look stupid and inept. At least in the original The writers got away with the Hacker character in the role of Prime Minister. There is no way on earth you can believe David Haig is the PM. Please let me remember the program for what it was.

Other reviews have said it all nearly. This remake of a great classic show is a waste of TV time and it a total let down. The comedy - what little there is - is very poor. That's partly down to the very dire writing and the rehashing of material that simply is out of date. The actors in it are wasted. They have poor material and although at times maybe trying their best, they peacefully fight a lost cause.

I loved the original and was willing to view any new series with the notion that it must stand on its own also and not just be judged on its previous history and calibre of shows. On its own sadly, it really fails - clearly without a doubt - in a lot of ways. Other reviews have covered the reasons why and in detail. I cannot disagree in any way, shape or form.

...And that's a shame. At the start of once hope - there was only bitter disappointment in its wake.

This show has a serious problem. It has to overcome our memories of the first series. The main reason for this is that they used the same names for most of the characters. The series is set in the current era and there seem to be several plot ideas that have carried over from the original series. In truth except for Zoe Telford none of the new characters measure up to the Brilliant originals. I don't think there was every any hope that was going to happen. The original cast of characters were absolutely perfect in every way. Everyone knows one cannot improve on perfection

As a consequence I spent the first episode comparing the new with the old and feeling quite a bit let down. If I had to rate this series based on just the first episode it would not have rated better than four or five.

Even putting the disappointment caused by the characters aside the first episode is really not that great. The only reason I watched the second episode was because I was stuck on a plane and bored and consequently desperate.

Episode 2 was much better than the first. The actors start loosening up a bit. It was almost like someone had given them a real talking to after the first.

Episode three onwards is seriously funny. In fact I really cannot remember laughing so much recently. Was it better than the first, no that is not possible. But it was really good comedy, nevertheless.

The best character is Claire Sutton played by the gorgeous Zoe Telford. The worst is probably Sir Humphrey. He just isn't that beguiling and charming, manipulative and Machieavellian character that he was in the original series. In fact he is quite wooden and doesn't appear to lead the show.

Still the main purpose of a comedy is to make you laugh. If you loosen up and can let go of the past you will enjoy it, quite a bit. If only they had changed the characters' names it would have been seen as a really good show in its own right.

Rumour has it that the BBC turned this show down, probably the best decision their commissioning team has ever made. The whole thing is a mess, badly written jokes badly (over)acted.

The remake has its roots in a stage farce and it sadly shows.

GOLD made two mistakes with this show, one commissioning it in the first place then the massive error of scheduling it just ahead of far superior original, which makes this look like a relic from the 70's.

There is room for a good, new political satire, especially with The Thick Of It possibly coming to an end, but badly remaking a classic is not the way to go.

My advice, if you feel the need to watch this don't. wait until the show is over and watch the subtle acting of Eddington, Hawthorne and Fowlds, and stop the sadly late former two spinning in their graves...

Totally dreadful attempt at the Yes Minister franchise.

Canned laughter which is totally miscued, vain attempts at punchlines, unfunny actors trying to force humour and failing miserably.

I loved the original 3 series with Paul Eddington. These are an absolute insult.

Watch only if they are the only thing you have on USB and the world is about to end.

There seems to be a complete lack of originality in TV currently, no new funny ideas, just vain attempts to rehash successes of the past.

Do not waste even your last minutes of life with this!!!