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Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister
Television series

Both series, created by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, are political satires that explore the workings of the British government through fictional scenarios
. Yes Minister focuses on the interactions between Jim Hacker, a newly appointed Minister for Administrative Affairs, and his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, highlighting the bureaucratic intricacies and often subversive nature of civil service. The show examines the clash between Hacker's political ambitions and Appleby's strategic manipulation of bureaucratic processes. In Yes Prime Minister, Hacker becomes the Prime Minister, and the series continues to scrutinise the challenges of governance, including policymaking and political compromises, while still emphasising the influence of the civil service. The writing style of both series is heavily dialogue-driven, with a focus on witty and sharp exchanges that reflect the nuances of political manueuvering. The shows are noted for their sharp wit and insightful commentary on the mechanics of political power and administrative management. Their depiction of the power dynamics between elected officials and civil servants remains a significant point of reference in discussions about political satire and the nature of governmental operations. The reception of both series was highly positive, praised for its intelligent and satirical portrayal of political life. They won several awards, including BAFTAs for Best Comedy Series, and are often cited as one of the best British television comedies of all time.
 
 
Yes Minister
Series One Episodes (25/2/80-7/4/80)*          
1
'Open Government'
2
'The Official Visit'
3
'The Economy Drive'
4
'Big Brother'
5
'The Writing on the Wall'
6
'The Right to Know'
7
'Jobs for the Boys'
Series Two Episodes (23/2/81-6/4/81)*
1
'The Compassionate Society'
2
'Doing the Honours'
3
'The Death List'
4
'The Greasy Pole'
5
'The Devil You Know'
6
'The Quality of Life'
7
'A Question of Loyalty'
Series Three Episodes (11/11/82-23/12/82)*
1
'Equal Opportunities'
2
'The Challenge'
3
'The Skeleton in the Cupboard'
4
'The Moral Dimension'
5
'The Bed of Nails'
6
'The Whisky Priest'
7
'The Middle Class Rip Off'
'Party Games' (1984 Christmas Special, 17/12/84*)

Cast

Paul Eddington........... The Rt Hon James Hacker
Nigel Hawthorne......... Sir Humphrey Appleby
Derek Fowlds............. Bernard Woolley
Diana Hoddinott......... Annie Hacker
John Nettleton........... Sir Arnold Robinson

Yes Prime Minister
Series One Episodes (9/1/86-27/2/86)*
1
'The Grand Design'
2
'The Ministerial Broadcast'
3
'The Smoke Screen'
4
'The Key'
5
'A Real Partnership'
6
'A Victory for Democracy'
7
'The Bishop's Gambit'
8 'One of Us'
Series Two Episodes (3/1/87-28/1/88)*
1
'Man Overboard'
2
'Official Secrets'
3
'A Diplomatic Incident'
4
'A Conflict of Interest'
5
'Power to the People'
6
'The Patron of the Arts'
7
'The National Education Service'
8 'A Tangled Web'

Cast

Paul Eddington........... The Rt Hon James Hacker
Nigel Hawthorne......... Sir Humphrey Appleby
Derek Fowlds............. Bernard Woolley
Diana Hoddinott......... Annie Hacker
Deborah Norton.......... Dorothy Wainwright
John Nettleton............ Sir Arnold Robinson
Peter Collier............... Sir Frank Gordon



Notes

*
Original date of transmission in the UK.


Source:
The Complete Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister [DVD]. Directed by Sydney Lotterby et al. BBC DVD, 2007.
   

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