Yes Minister

[Very Young Mr Grace]

I've heard very good things about this short-lived political comedy. Would anyone out there recommend it? Our local video shop has the DVD's for rent and I thought about taking a chance. I love political farce, but being American I'm not sure I would be so quick to pick up on British happenings.

Your thoughts....? :shrug:

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

I can't believe but I look over on my shelf and there it is.. with about a foot of dust on it.. The "Yes Minister" 4 disc set..... Wonder why I've never watched them ????? :shrug:

[Zircon]

I've heard very good things about this short-lived political comedy. Would anyone out there recommend it? Our local video shop has the DVD's for rent and I thought about taking a chance. I love political farce, but being American I'm not sure I would be so quick to pick up on British happenings.

Your thoughts....? :shrug:


This is a terrific show and comes with the Mr and Mrs Zircon seal of approval!

The themes explored within the stories are universal enough to be recognised. Some of the details are British, but the writing of this series is so clever that context tends to be provided to avoid confusion.

I'd say it'd be at least as easy for an American viewer to enjoy "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister", as it is for a Brit to enjoy "The West Wing". Probably easier. (Though I'm talking about "The West Wing" when it was a proper show, written by one of the most talented TV writers of the last ten years, of course ...)

Also, Nigel Hawthorne was frankly wonderful in this show, and it's worth getting merely on the strength of his performance alone.

Hope this helps!

[Very Young Mr Grace]

Thank you Zircon! That was a very informative post. I'll definitely give it a try. :D

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

Now I'm going to have to find the time to watch these !!!

[LadyAppleby]

Absolutely you must watch Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. They are gut-bustingly funny in a way that is completely different from AYBS?. The logical circumlocutions Sir Humphrey engages in to outwit Jim Hacker are priceless!

And the books are even funnier. They're not written as if they are novels, but as collections of documents--Hacker's diaries, official memoranda, letters, all the stuff you'd see in a serious historical text.

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

When I get some time, then I must definitely do that... Right now I'm finally watching my "Vicar Of Dibley". :shock:

[Very Young Mr Grace]

Thanks everyone for such great information.

One more dumb question.....is "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" the same show, kind of like "AYBS Again" is a re-naming of "Grace and Favour", or are they two different series?

[LadyAppleby]

Yes, Minister is the first series, when Jim Hacker is the Minister of Administrative Affairs. Then he ascends to the exalted position of Prime Minister, and the show title changes.

It's like Are You Being Served? and Are You Being Served Again?.

[dazzlestar14]

This show used to air about 6 years ago on YTV after KUA, but I was too young to understand the content at the time so I just never watched it. I remember the beginning where they would draw the characters with creepy faces though. Thanks Lady Appleby for the info on the minister/prime minister bit, that always confused me as well!

[Ernest Grainger]

I kept hearing good things about these too. I picked up Yes, Prime Minister a while ago & it's excellent. It's on my favourite list. Too bad Paul Eddington & Nigel Hawthorne have passed.

[Dean]

The programme is really about how officials manipulate their "political leaders" and would certainly be undertsandable in the US despite the different political systems. The show doesn't refer to British political events as such - the shows about things like how a politician tries to cover up his daughter's planned nude protest in an environmental cause - how he tries to stop a diplomatic incident that might hurt election cahnces, etc etc.

It is very very clever satire - not farce really.

And it is brilliantly acted and written.

[Assistant 134]

My PBS station is currently showing this program.

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

When I get some time, then I must definitely do that... Right now I'm finally watching my "Vicar Of Dibley". :shock:


Still haven't watched this yet ....

[Diana Yarswick]

I would recommend that you really watch (with captions if you can). The comedy is great and subtle so really give it your full attention. I like it, but I am also a fan of Nigel Hawthorn's (The Madness of King George).

[Assistant 134]

My PBS station finished this last week, I think. Now they are showing the spinoff, Yes, Prime Minister.

[Diana Yarswick]

Rach, I trust you are enjoying it, then?

[Assistant 134]

Oh yes, very much. I love this progam.

[Assistant 134]

My station finished the series Friday. I'm really gonna miss that program. Hope they show it again. Loved it.

[minki]

My PBS station finished this last week, I think. Now they are showing the spinoff, Yes, Prime Minister.

One of my PBS stations FINALLY updated its Britcom lineup and included Yes, Minister. It's been ages since I had seen it...I forgot how good it was.