Yes Minister (TV Series) The Challenge (1982) User Reviews

The ffffrigging Chinese

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 18 June 2021]

Hacker tries to reform local government expenditure.

This is a strong episode that applies a similar theme to the series 1 episodes when Hacker tries to reform the civil service spending, but here it applies to local councils. It has a relatively standard Humphrey manipulates Hacker structure but is entertaining and full of excellent banter as to be expected.

What I found the most amusing was the scene where Humphrey puts pressure on the BBC director of policy, which basically equates to government censorship of the media.

Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne are great as ever. John Nettleton, Ian Lavender and Doug Fisher also make good appearances.

Guest starring Ludovic Kennedy

[safenoe · 8/10 · 27 December 2023]

Peter Whitmore continues his deft direction of Yes Minister, having directed all the season two episodes. Sydney Lotterby, who I think directed all the As Time Goes By episodes, directed most of the season one episodes. Anyway, here Minister Hacker is maturing as a minister and he seems to learn how to respond to the manipulation of Sir Humphrey.

Jonathan Lynn co-created and co-wrote Yes, Minister with Antony Jay. Interestingly, Antony Jay received a knighthood to become Sir Antony Jay but to this day Jonathan Lynn hasn't. Yet Jonathan Lynn went on to direct Clue, Nuns on the Run, My Cousin Vinny, and The Whole Nine Yards so it's strange init that Jonathan has been overlooked for a knighthood.