Yes, Prime Minister 

James Hacker was propelled along the corridors of power to the very pinnacle of politics - Number 10.

Stars:

Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds

Top Rated TV #181 | 5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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

Storyline

Following on from Yes Minister, Jim Hacker is now Prime Minister and Sir Humphrey Appleby is Cabinet Secretary. Bernard is also along for the ride, as Hacker's personal secretary. As in their previous roles, their jobs often devolve into a battle of agendas, ideals, wills and wits between Hacker and Sir Humphrey.

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | satire | british humour | 1980s | british prime minister | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1986 (UK)

Also Known As:

Javisst, herr premiärminister

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (16 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ronnie Hazlehurst's theme-tune is composed around the chimes of Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster.

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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?
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 20 September 2010 (2010)

User Reviews

Not as original or consistently funny as Yes Minister but still very good all the same

Following on from Yes Minister, Jim Hacker is now Prime Minister and Sir Humphrey Appleby is Cabinet Secretary. Bernard is also along for the ride, as Hacker's personal secretary. As in their previous roles, their jobs often devolve into a battle of agendas, ideals, wills and wits between Hacker and Sir Humphrey.

Very similar formula to Yes Minister - the political ideals and poll-focus of the Prime Minister versus the practicality and preference to maintain the status quo of the civil service, with quite of few of Sir Humphrey's personal agendas thrown in for good measure.

The main difference from Yes Minister is that everything is now at a higher level, and includes international diplomacy, defense projects and spending, education, local government - broader, national issues.

Therein lies the problem with Yes, Prime Minister. Because of Yes Minister's lower level, its plots, issues and solutions were much more plausible. So plausible the series should be used in teaching Political Studies. Yes, Prime Minister, by comparison, feels contrived, and downright silly, at times.

Fortunately this is a comedy, not a drama, so plausibility isn't a top concern. Still, it helps.

When it comes to the humour, while still quite funny, this series seems less original than its predecessor, and happy to retread old jokes and use formulaic gags. Worst of all, Bernard, who was the face of innocence and the straight man to the machinations of Hacker and Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister, has been reduced to making lame puns and other one-liners.

The writing is just not as tight or finely-crafted as in Yes Minister.

This all said, it does make some great points about government and always does so in a very humorous fashion. Some issues raised are well ahead of their time and the laughs come thick and fast.

Not as great as Yes Minister but still very good.