This was probably the best of the three series of Yes Minister which were made. Also this was probably one of the best written comidies ever. Yes minister was the first programme to win the BAFTA for best comedy series for three years running.
The battle between the political will and ... Read review
The Compassionate SocietyThe brand new St Edward's Hospital has been open for 15 months ... more
with 350 administrators and 150 ancillary staff. But it has no patients.Doing The HonoursIt's the only hold we have over Civil Servants. I can't stop their pay rise...
Prime Minister Jim Hacker is still guided by his Machiavellian mentor Sir Humphrey ... more
Appleby in Series Two of this award-winning comedy. When Jim decides to implement a new plan to reduce unemployment in the North Sir Humphrey decides that desperate cases call for desperate measures. Meanwhile if the Prime Minister gives false information to Parliament should the Cabinet Secretary support him or should he tell all? As Sir Humphrey ponders the ethics he finds that he too has something to hide... Episodes comprise: 1. Man Overboard 2. Official Secrets 3. A Diplomatic Incident 4. A Conflict of Interest 5. Power To The People 6. A Patron of the Arts 7. The National Education Service 8. The Tangled Web
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If Prime Minister Jim Hacker has a fault (and God knows...), it is that he has ideas. ... more
Fortunately his Cabinet Secretary, Sir Humphrey makes sure they never come to fruition, while poor Bernard, his Private Secretary, sits uneasily on the fence between them...Man OverboardThe PM is in favour of the plan to create civilian jobs by moving servicemen north, until Sir Humphrey hints that the Employment Secretary is plotting against him...Official SecretsWhen the former PM's memoirs have to be scrutinized for security reasons, Jim receives a chapter that makes him look bad.A Diplomatic IncidentThe sudden death of the former PM gives Hacker an opportunity to host a state occasion...and to make sure his predecessor is dead.A Conflict Of InterestAs rumours spread of a scandal in the City, Sir Humphrey knows that the only way to avoid disaster depends on the new Governor of the Bank of England. But will the PM appoint the right man?Power To The PeopleHacker is having problems with local government, especially a member of Houndsworth Council, who wants to abolish parliament, the courts and the monarchy. Is is time for Hacker's Reform Bill.The Patron Of The ArtsThe PM is to speak at the televised British Theatre Awards Dinner. Unfortunately, the Arts Council grant was less than generous... and the Director of the National Theatre is introducing Hacker's speech.The National Education ServiceThe education system is a disaster. Jim could always axe the Department of Education. But what would Sir Humphrey say?A Tangled WebHacker has committed the ultimate political sin - lying to the House. Humphrey feels he has a moral responsibility to tell the truth... unless Hacker can employ some gentle persuasion.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn's superb sitcomYes, Prime Ministerentered 10 Downing Street ... more
with Jim Hacker now Prime Minister of Britain, following a campaign to "Save The British Sausage". Whether tackling defence ("The Grand Design"), local Government ("Power To The People") or the National Education Service, all of Jim Hacker's bold plans for reform generally come to nothing, thanks to the machinations of Nigel Hawthorne's complacent Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey (Jeeves to Hacker's Wooster) who opposes any action of any sort on the part of the PM. This is usually achieved by discreet horse-trading. In "One Of Us", for instance, Hacker relents from implementing defence cuts when he is presented with the embarrassingly large bill he ran up in a vote-catching mission to rescue a stray dog on an army firing range. Only in the final episode of series two, "The Tangled Web", does the PM at last turn the tables on Sir Humphrey.Paul Eddington is a joy as Hacker, whether in mock-Churchillian mode or visibly cowering whenever he is congratulated on a "courageous" idea. Jay and Lynn's script, meanwhile, is a dazzlingly Byzantine exercise in word-play, wittily reflecting the verbiage-to-substance ratio of politics. Ironically,Yes, Prime Ministeris an accuratedepiction of practically all political eras except its own, the 1980s, when Thatcher successfully carried out a radical programme regardless of harrumphing senior civil servants. --David Stubbs
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: very well written Disadvantages: won't be to every ones taste
...of the three series of Yes Minister which were made. Also this was probably one of the best written comidies ever. Yes minister was the first programme to win the BAFTA for best comedy series for three years running.
The battle between the political will and the administartive won't continues.
Jim Hacker is still in his job as 'Minister for Adminastrative Affairs' and his plans and ideas are still constantly being ... ...is a bit of a yes man to the PM. Hacker is obsesed with being a popular MP and will produce any policy that may win votes, much to Sir Humphery's disgust. Hacker's main aim as always is sliming down the civil service - not if Sir Humphery can help it.
Sir Humphery - The Oxford graduate is of the oppinion that it is he who runs the department and will use every trick in the book to stop the Minister doing as he wishes, telling him ... more
This was probably the best of the three series of Yes Minister which were made. Also this was probably one of the best written comidies ever. Yes minister was the first programme to win the BAFTA for best comedy series for three years running.
The battle between the political will and the administartive won't continues.
Jim Hacker is still in his job as 'Minister for Adminastrative Affairs' and his plans and ideas are still constantly being blocked (or 'redrafted' to use the civil service term) by Sir Humphery. Even a cabinet reshuffle (Epsd 'The Devil You Know) delights Sir Humphery. As they think that Jim now has got the hang of the job he has to go, then they can wipe the slate clean and start with a new minister....well that is until Sir Humphery finds out who may replace Jim in his department.
Still at least they agree when it comes to a select committie they must tell the truth and nothing but the truth - just as long as it isn't the whole truth. (Epsd question of loyalty) esp when it comes to wasting tens of thousands of pounds which according to Sir Humphrey was only a small mistake - the big mistake was people finding out. Whether they need to 'cook up a story' or 'agree their position Jim and Humphery agree on one thing they need to avoid answering any question that may be thrown at them.
The main caracters:
Jim Hacker - (The Minister) is not the most intelligent person and is a bit of a yes man to the PM. Hacker is obsesed with being a popular MP and will produce any policy that may win votes, much to Sir Humphery's disgust. Hacker's main aim as always is sliming down the civil service - not if Sir Humphery can help it.
Sir Humphery - The Oxford graduate is of the oppinion that it is he who runs the department and will use every trick in the book to stop the Minister doing as he wishes, telling him his policy is 'corageous' usualy does the trick. Sir Humphery is of the strong oppinion that there are things that it is best for the Minister not to know. Also above all make sure the Minister nails his trousers to the mast - then he can't climb down.
Bernard Wooley - well you have to feel sorry for him as he is sort of 'piggy in the middle' He is the Ministers personal secretery in the department and so he should be on the ministers side. Then again he is a civil servent, so a hypothetical question to his boss (Sir Humphery) is always a good idea
Although Jim may win the odd battle in this series it is usualy always Sir Humphery that comes out on top. As Sir Humphery knows, if the civil service screw up it's the minister that will get the sack not him.
Alot of this comedy is simply how well written it is and also how well the caracter of Sir Humphery can use the english language to make being asked to do the most simple thing sound like rocket science.
The fact is this comedy isn't all that far from the truth as to how government is run.
The one down side to this series is that the part of 'Jumbo' played brilliantly by John Savident (better known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation st) in the first series no longer appears.
includes episodes:
The compassionate society:
A brand new hospital and yet it has no patiants. However, it is a wonderful employer - for civil servents that is. The minister is looking to save money so he can get the hospital running, but will Sir Humphery really let him 'sack' his civil servents?
Doing the honours:
The department is in panic. The minister has to approve a list of honours for the civil service and he doesn't look like he is going to as they haven't 'earned' the honour. Will a high table dinner at Oxford really change his mind?
The Death list:
The minister has recieved his petition against phone tapping, he is delighted that he may finaly be able to bring it to an end. How will his name appeaering on a 'death list' go down?. Better tell him right away believes Sir Humphery.
The greasy pole:
I have to climb it because it's there believes the minister. Sir Humphery does not agree with the minister on his new ideas and the minister must be stopped - but how?
The devil you know:
There is a re-suffle about to go on and the minister is in panic. Sir Humphery is delighted, a new minister means he can start his delaying tactics all over again. That is until he finds out just who is going to be the new minister.
The quality of life:
A new office block needs building but the minister wants to save a city farm, which just happens to occupy the site of the new building. How will Sir Humphery get the minister to 'do the right thing' this time?
A question of loyalty: The minister has been in the USA and made a speach on how money can be saved by propper administration and Britain is a shining example of it. Sir Humphery is delighted with it. Until a comittie uncovers just how much money has been wasted by his department. Wasting the money was only a small problem, the big problem was letting people find out about it. Only question is who will the Minister support, his department or the government?
Advantages: Intelligent writing, excellent acting and still relevant Disadvantages: None.
...second of three series of Yes Minister. The DVD contains all seven episodes of the series, originally broadcast in early 1981.
In their weekends, Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn used to drive down to London with a case of something in the boot, and talk to Government ministers. These ministers, who stayed secret until recently, were able to tell Jay and Lynn what politics is really like on the inside. They told stories which were at the time still ... ...lines of Yes Minister.
To someone who has never seen Yes Minister, the idea of a programme containing three middle-aged men in suits talking about politics would probably suggest boredom in the extreme. Ask someone who has, and the reply would be very different.
Jim Hacker (Eddington) is a new and eager minister of the fictitious Department of Administrative Affairs, determined to leave his mark. He wants nothing more than to rise in government, ...
paulrob 02.10.2005 (03.10.2005)
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Advantages: Classic sitcom all on two disks Disadvantages: If you like extras, there are very few
This is series two of a classic piece of BBC comedy starring Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds.
The premise of all the "Yes, Minister" series is a view of the functioning of Whitehall from the point of view of the Right Honorable Jim Hacker, Minister for the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs.
A particular device used in his comedy are the dialogues between the Head of the Civil Service for the department, Sir Humphrey Appleby and Jim Hacker, which act as a hilarious expose of the functioning of the Civil Service and their opposition to their Ministers policies.
The episodes on these DVDs are:
- The Compassionate Society: A hospital has been open for over a year, and has no patients because it has no healthcare staff - but it is fully staffed with administrators! A very funny episode exposing ...
All the episodes from the second series of the TV comedy classic including: 'The Compassionate Society', 'Doing The Honours', 'The Death List', 'The Greasy Pole', 'The Devil You Know', 'The Quality Of Life' and 'A Question Of Loyalty'.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO; SONY DADC
Release date
30/09/2002
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BBCDVD 1120
Barcode
5014503112028
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Scene Selection, Profiles - 1. Cast & Crew
Sound
Dolby Digital Mono
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Mono English
DVD Description
In this 1980s sitcom, James Hacker (Paul Eddington) portrays the Minister for Administrative Affairs, who continually meets opposition in the form of the tenacious Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Permanent Secretary of the Department. And stuck in the middle is private secretary Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). This collection presents the second series in its entirety, including the episodes: "The Compassionate Society," "The Devil You Know," "The Quality of Life," and more.
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