Sunday, May 13, 2007

Yes, Prime Minister

Those of you who like good comedy will like this episode of the satrical British Comedy Yes, Prime Minister. Wikipedia describes it as follows:
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC television and radio between 1980 and 1984. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. Together, the two series comprise 38 episodes, all but one of which last half an hour.
Set in the private office in Whitehall of a British government cabinet minister (and, in the second series, in 10 Downing Street), the series follows the ministerial career of James Hacker MP, played by Paul Eddington, and his various struggles to bring in legislation or departmental changes, opposed by the will of the British Civil Service, in particular his Permanent Secretary (senior civil servant), Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Nigel Hawthorne and his more helpful Principal Private Secretary played by Derek Fowlds. Almost every programme ends with the eponymous line, "Yes, Minister" (or "Yes, Prime Minister"), uttered by Sir Humphrey as he quietly relishes his victory over his "political master" (or, occasionally, acknowledges defeat).
A huge critical and popular success, the series was the recipient of a number of awards, including several BAFTAs and in 2004 came sixth in Britain's Best Sitcom. It also gained notability as being the favourite television programme of the then British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
This episode is The Bishop's Gambit - a very cynical look at the appointment of CoE bishops.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister and the Bishop's Gambit is great.

Rick Rockhill said...

YM ad YPM is such a brilliant series. I miss it. stop by and say hi sometime