I have just discovered Yes, Minister

[Andylion]

And Yes, Prime Minister.

Why did I wait so long? I have developed a crush on Nigel Hawthorne, (or maybe Humpy).

My favourite episode is The Key, from Yes, PM. They took time throughout the series setting up Sir H as a smoothly conniving character so that when he does become unhinged, it is a sight to behold. (I know he loses it in other episodes as well, but this is the best.)

I know there must be other fans out there. What are your favourite bits?

"That's a courageous decision, Minister."

You lucky person having this all afresh. The performances are sublime and the script immaculate.

Yes Minister, apparently Margaret Thatchers favourite programme.

His eyebrows on their own can out-act anyone else.

Where can you watch it?

The audio versions are on BBC Sounds. Really clever and work just as well on the radio.

Hacker: Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers. The Daily Mirroris read by people who think they run the country; The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country; The Times is read by the people who actually do run the country; the Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country; the Financial Times is read by people who own the country; the Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country, and the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is.
Sir Humphrey: Prime Minister, what about the people who read The Sun?
Bernard: Sun readers don't care who runs the country, as long as she's got big tits.

Oh I love Bernard so much. And this was one of my favourite programmes growing up. We have the script books somewhere.

Yep. The Key is my favourite episode too. And I also love Nigel Hawthorne! And the actress who played Dorothy in it. She was not taking any nonsense from Humpy! 😂

I have the audio version on my phone, always good for a late night long drive

You can get them on DVD.

They are often re run in BBC 4 as a filler.

Love this and yes, Prime Minister.

House of cards UK is brilliant too but not comedy.

@PerkingFaintly still makes me laugh as so bloody true!!

I’m in Canada For some reason, I paid for a Paramount sub in Prime. This is worth whatever I paid.

Isn't is just, @Crikeyalmighty !

Love this programme!

@heetud
I think series 2 is on BBC iPlayer ATM, and being shown on bbc4

Thanks - perfect birthday present for my Dad. (And I can watch them after)

I'm foreign & English almostXH has introduced me to these. To my shame, I can't concentrate fully to appreciate them, sometimes. Brilliant, though.

"So what is the last resort? - Piccadilly? Watford Gap Service Station? The Reform Club?"

It’s kind of shocking how relevant all the discussions still are today. Trident, phone tapping, foreign policy, bureaucracy. Not much seems to have changed.

Ah yes loved Yes Minister back in the day. Also had a crush on Nigel Hawthorne. Wrote to him and got a lovely reply back.

I've been re-watching Yes Minister recently.

So well written.
Honestly, it could have been written this year. Very little has 'dated'. Or maybe politics just hasn't moved on ?
It is well cast all round, but Nigel Hawthorne is just superb.
What is worrying about it is it is so real in so many ways.

I love Sir Humphrey's protestations that he couldn't have possibly been a spy (for the Soviet Union):

"But I'm a married man! And I was at Oxford!"