I met Paul when he came to Perth, Australia, as I was his chauffeur. I can testify how the pollies fell over him as mentioned and was treated as if he was a visiting head of government.
Thank you for sharing that. I wish he'd have visited Canada, I think he would have received the same treatment. What a wonderful legacy all three have left for us. Timeless.
Bernard is selling himself a bit short there. He was bloody brilliant as well. He didn't have as big a part to play but he had quite a few one-liners which he delivered with impeccable timing.
One of my favourite lines is the 'newspaper reader's' scene where Bernard says 'Sun readers don't care who runs the Country as long as she has big tits!". Derek Fowlds did a fantastic job as Bernard Woolley.
He was an integral part of the team. Besides which, the fictional basis for the entire series was the "memoirs" of Sir Bernard Woolley, retired Cabinet Secretary.
I must have seen this entire series at least a dozen times, and I still laugh just as loudly as I did the first time. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant writing and acting by all three principal characters. The books are equally outstanding, and any fan of the television series ought to have them on the bookshelf.
In sharp competition with Cleese & Booths Fawlty Towers this must be the most brilliant British sitcom ever. Subdued caustic humor as only the brits can make it. No need for slapstick here - a spot on the mechanisms in the real motives behind human relations is enough to make me roll on the floor laughing... It’s as relevant now as back then. That’s what make a timeless classic.
Yes minister and yes prime minister is the platinum of political comedy satire. To this date I watch it and my son too, it is so well written and delivered. RIP Paul Eddington, nigel Hawthorne and derek foulds. The trio and all involved created a masterpiece of comedy. Loved it when growing up on 80s and still love it.
Okay hands up, I AM British, but in an unambiguous unperturbed commodious frame of paradigm, I beg, with full elucidation of the reference frame of your conclusions and appraisal of this show, to inform you that I agree with you.
I just can't think of any other country which has lead the world in so many fields and for such a long time and still leading. I just keep wondering Is it in the genes!
Grew up in Melbourne Australia and spotted ‘Jim’ walking about Carlton one day and recognised him immediately due to watching this program with my parents growing up. Genius writing and simply beautiful performances by all involved.
About 10 years ago, Cathay Pacific streamed this show again... What a delight on a boring flight....a few times, I laughed so loud to almost wake my fellow passengers... What a delight this show is... I have never seen a better comedy anywhere in the world... Absolute genius from all involved...
A peerless comedy/documentary- my all-time favourite. Of all the actors, I think Derek Fowlds had the most difficult but important role. He had to sit quietly in the background, listening to the verbal jousting between the two main protagonists (sometimes for minutes at a time) before delivering the punchline to the scene whilst keeping a straight face. *Very* difficult but wonderfully executed. Sadly, all these actors have taken their final curtain call. As far as YM/YPM (and others of that era- Black Adder, Only Fools and Horses etc) "we shall never see their likes again".
This TV series is the purest of diamonds. The writing and acting is just beyond anything else. Such complex humor delivered by mature and seasoned actors. It is nothing like that crap produced today. Absolute gem.
In a way, he's getting his awards now, belatedly it's true. But just look at the comments on here, the number of Thumbs Up .. I've added a few myself. To be applauded like this by several generations of folks is better than any CBE. He won in the end, by the establisment not recognising it at the time. Justice is done.
I don’t know if Derek Fawlds is a lot younger than Paul Eddingtond and Nigel Hawthorne but it sort of shows how young Paul and Nigel were when they left us. It makes you sorry for Derek to have lost two of his closest friends and alumni.
Pirabee. You’ve said it all. God bless them. We will never see their like again. I too watched them for years and still laugh out loud today, always fresh. God bless the Writers too. Talented people in the right place at the right time. Let’s face it, they had wonderful material to work with. Thanks for the many hours of laughter ... and still going.
I used to watch in the 80s and my sister presented me on my birthday the books in 2 volumes in Portuguese language. I still have them and every so often I re-read it again.
I watched the series about 10 years ago when I was young and naive, still find it funny and realistic. It helped a lot on my understanding about western politic and my English skill during my time working on IELTS
My grandfather had a friend in Canberra (Aus capital) at the time the show aired and apparently no one in Parliament House could be found to get anything done when the show was on because they had all dashed home or to the nearest screen to watch, it was that accurate to their jobs and that entertaining.
I was also told, at the time, that if anyone in Canberra was asked a question by a Minister, they were forbidden to use the actual words "yes Minister", but had to say that's correct or that's affirmative, etc.
Mum told me that too - when it was first aired on channel 2 and not the repeats. Not even a skerrick of a ring after 8 pm by any party type or anyone. Open slather of course after 9ish... gosh, that memory is from years ago!
What a poignant ending. If there really is something in the great beyond, I hope these three lads are having a great laugh together. Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, wonderful legacy.
I also have immeasurable appreciation for the sophisticated way english is spoken and written in England in comparison to the way it is spoken in other countries
Bernard...I think he wants to run the country. Sir Humphrey...well stop him Bernard ! Absolute classic,best TV series ever.RIP Paul,Nigel and Derek.Still watching the DVD's of this
Given the amount of education into how policy is going in circles, and the amount episodes that more than 35 years later is still just as relevant.... Added to some of the funniest and best acted characters ever put to screen, "Yes minister" and "Yes prime minister" is (at least to my mind) the single greatest sitcom ever put on television... I would even go as far as to say that it is perhaps even the greatest political documentary, given how much it continues to be relevant.
now there's a wonderful thought..PM Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey both secretly fly to America for therapy to deal with each other. Jim Hackers therapist Dr Crane and Sir Humphreys? The other Dr Crane... if only
Thankyou. Wow that shows what a great show it is, everyone regardless of age appreciates and understands it and what it did and how relevant it is now still and will be.
In reality, if Jim Hacker was our Prime Minister we all know who was really in charge. Prime Minister Sir Humphrey Appleby and what a safe Britain that would be with Humpy as Prime Minister.
Just take a look at how Paul Eddington looked here at 1:19 compared to here at 1:34 - these two scenes were made a year apart from each other, with 1:34 being from the first Yes PM series and 1:19 from Series 2 of Yes PM. You can notice the effects of Paul's skin cancer during these two appearances. Great man who be able to work through such an illness and still be 100% funny.
We're a parliamentary democracy modeled on the British system, so it's not too surprising. I think everyone in the British Commonwealth has the same appreciation for its political truths.
Was too young to appreciate this when it was first on. started rewatching it ten years ago and was instantly hooked. So funny and so insightful. Couldn'thave asked for a better casting or storyline. Love each character even the minor ones. no offence to The Thick Of It, but sorry guys you don't even compare and i like your show as well.
My all time favourite show. I was looking for the DVD series 20 years ago. Couldn't find. A loved one gifted me the book which is equally brilliant and humorous. Fantastic series. Excellent casting. Awesome comedy
No mention of Nigel Hawthorne's splendid 'Georgie' in MAPP & LUCIA; one of the finest TV series ever. He also played the Archdeacon of Barchester in Trollope's BARCHESTER CHRONICLES.
Paul Eddington was received excellently in Australia, most of the press focussing on how Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke jovially reacted and interacted with him. Bob Hawke was extremely, and popularly, down to earth and as such deliberately played up the irony of welcoming an actor popular for playing the role of a politician....in a comedy show that Bob Hawke was on the record as loving. In some British programs the Australian reception of Paul Eddington is depicted as if Australian politicians and the press thought that he was an actual politician, when this absolutely wasn’t the case.
Nigel Hawthorne was also in "Firefox" as a Russian Scientist who defects to help Clint Eastwood's character to steal the top secret MIG aka The Firefox out of the Soviet Union!
I think Jim became the right honourable minister for his majesty government of Heaven he got his ministry of DAA, With sir Humphrey as his principal secretary and Bernard's up there trying to run God's world now. Miss them all