"Yes, Prime Minister" (1986) TV series 1986-1987

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Director:

Peter Whitmore

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

9 January 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Caught off-guard by the sudden retirement of the Prime Minister, Sir Humphrey and his civil service allies soon get their house-trained minister...

Plot Keywords:

Prime Minister | Political | 10 Downing Street | House Of Commons | Punctuation In Title

Awards:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Paul Eddington	...	James Hacker (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Sir Humphrey Appleby (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Derek Fowlds	...	Bernard Woolley (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Diana Hoddinott	...	Annie Hacker (8 episodes, 1986-1988)

(more)

Series Directed by
Sydney Lotterby		(16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Peter Whitmore		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Antony Jay		(16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jonathan Lynn		(16 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Produced by
Sydney Lotterby	....	producer (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Peter Whitmore	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Ronnie Hazlehurst		(16 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Cinematography by
Chris Seager		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Chris Wadsworth		(6 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Production Design by
Gloria Clayton		(8 episodes, 1986-1988)
Valerie Warrender		(8 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Costume Design by
Richard Winter		(8 episodes, 1986)
John Hearne		(8 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Makeup Department
Cheryl Wright	....	makeup designer (8 episodes, 1986)
Fran Needham	....	makeup designer (8 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Production Management
Brian Jones	....	production manager (16 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Art Department
Francis Smith	....	properties buyer (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Mina Martinez	....	graphics designer (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Sound Department
Peter Barville	....	sound (16 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Ron Bristow	....	lighting director (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
John Dailley	....	camera supervisor (16 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Editorial Department
Angela Beveridge	....	vision mixer (15 episodes, 1986-1988)
Chris Wadsworth	....	editor: video tape (10 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Other crew
Judy Loe	....	production assistant (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Gerald Scarfe	....	title designer (16 episodes, 1986-1988)
Christine Crow	....	assistant floor manager (8 episodes, 1986)
Reg Poulter	....	technical coordinator / technical manager (8 episodes, 1986)
John Bird	....	technical coordinator (8 episodes, 1987-1988)
Janice Thomas	....	assistant floor manager (8 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jackie Foote	....	floor manager (4 episodes, 1986)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (UK) (TV)
• Fox Video (USA) (VHS)

Runtime:

UK:30 min (16 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | Australia:G (some episodes)

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (as she then as) was a great fan of the series.

Quotes:

[Sir Humphrey demonstrates how public surveys can reach opposite conclusions]
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?
Bernard Woolley: Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Do you think there is lack of discipline and vigorous training in our Comprehensive Schools?
Bernard Woolley: Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Do you think young people welcome some structure and leadership in their lives?
Bernard Woolley: Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Do they respond to a challenge?
Bernard Woolley: Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Might you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Not My Department" (1987)

A Great Political Series

"Yes Prime Minister" probably has to be one of the greatest political comedies available. The sequel to the acclaimed television series "Yes Minister", it again examines the nature of the British political establishment in an extremely hilarious way.

The late and great Paul Eddington does a wonderful job in portraying Prime Minister Jim Hacker, a politician who is still left with some desire for change and reform in him. Nigel Hawthorne also does a remarkable job in playing Sir Humphrey Appleby the rather reactionary stereotype of the traditional British establishment. Bernard Wolley (Derek Fowlds) is caught somewhat between the wishes and desires of these two men and often faces a dilemma as a result. Deborah Norton (who plays Dorothy Wainwright) and Diane Hoddinott who plays Annie Hacker add some more great acting to the show.

The series deals with a whole range of political issues such as foreign affairs, defence, health, education and the political system itself.

A great series and a comedy that is both thought-provoking and intelligent.