Yes, Prime Minister: The Complete Collection (DVD)

"Yes, Prime Minister: The Complete Collection" includes all 17 episodes of series on 3 discs. The first episode "Party Games", during which Jim Hacker MP is elevated to Prime Minister, is a one-hour special that aired in 1984 and is not officially part of the series. "Yes, Prime Minister" had two series of 8 half-hour episodes each that originally aired on the BBC 1986-1988. The characters are visibly older and not quite as funny as in "Yes, Minister", which ran 1980-1984, but it's still laugh-out-loud quality, and there are some real gems. The dynamic between Sir Humphrey Appleby (Sir Nigel Hawthorne) and now Prime Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) has changed a little, as Hacker is beginning to feel that, as the PM, he should not be pushed around by a civil servant."Party Games" finds Hacker, to his own surprise, in the running to become the next Prime Minister when the current one resigns and the civil service finds the leading two candidates for the job too independent-minded for their taste. Sir Humphrey is appointed Secretary to the Cabinet, replacing Sir Arnold (John Nettleton), and uses his position to maneuver the malleable Jim Hacker into Number 10. As PM, Hacker confronts issues such as Britain's nuclear deterrent, budget cuts, a complacent Foreign Office, appointing a Bishop, covering up a Soviet mole in MI5 during the Cold War, unemployment, bailing out an investment bank, making local government accountable, and coping with an potential international incident involving a puppy that France is using for leverage.The funniest episodes are often the backroom power struggles, as when Sir Humphrey and the PM's sharp political advisor Dorothy Wainwright (Deborah Norton) fight over office space and influence, or when Sir Humphrey and Permanent Secretary of the Treasury Sir Frank (Peter Cellier) compete to be head of the civil service, or when the preceding PM makes unkind comments about Hacker in his memoirs. Writers Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn felt that the series would be too predictable if Sir Humphrey was always able to outwit Hacker, so, in "Yes, Prime Minister", Hacker sometimes uses the weight of his office to beat Humphrey at his own game. Out of 17 episodes, I observed that Sir Humphrey takes the day in 8 and the PM in 6. In the others, their interests are aligned.This back-and-forth works well, not only because it is unpredictable, but because Jim Hacker is transformed from a hapless, well-intentioned MP to a pompous, self-important PM. The position has gone to his head. He's convinced that anything that might embarrass him will undermine the fabric of government. He is more frank, cynical, and interested in preserving the status quo than he was as an MP. In a way, this is not as funny, but, curiously, it posits that the PM may not have much power, after all, as he is more vulnerable to public opinion. For those who loved Sir Arnold in "Yes, Minister", he is back for 5 episodes. Sir Frank features in a few episodes. And Dorothy Wainwright is frequently the source of the PM's better ideas. Worth buying so you can watch it more than once.The DVDs (BBC Warner 2003): This is a 3-disc set. My one complaint is that the volume must be turned unusually high to hear the dialogue clearly, as the laugh track is too loud in comparison. There are 7 bonus features. "Funny Turns: Paul Eddington: A Life Well-Lived" (26 min) is a BBC special about Eddington's life and career, made after his death in 1995, that interviews his wife Patricia and his closest colleagues about his long career and his final illness. "Christmas at the Ministry" (2 min) is a short sketch that aired on BBC-1 in 1982. "Cabinet Minister Sound Bytes/Jonathan Lynn Interview" (12 min) is an excerpt of a BBC program that interviewed Lynn and a number of former MPs in 1986 on the debut of the new series. "Paul Eddington Interview" (9 min) was done by his friend the actress Felicity Kendal in 1986. "No, Prime Minister" is a text review by Sir Humphrey of Hacker's diaries. There are text bios and filmographies for the writers and 16 members of the cast. No subtitles.

There are simply not enough superlatives to describe the genius of "Yes, Prime Minister." British comedy has always been in a class above and beyond all else and "Yes, Prime Minister" as a mature comedy in my opinion sits at the very top of that class.Each of the three main characters are played to pitch perfection by Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds. There is the Honourable James "Jim" Hacker, who finds himself suddenly elevated to the office of Prime Minister in a delightfully played out series of events in the final episode of "Yes, Minister" in "Party Games." The well-meaning, anxious-to-please, Hacker is, however, constantly thwarted in his designs by the mischievously loveable Sir Humphrey Appleby, "Humpy" to his friends, who considers it his duty not to allow politicians to interfere in anything as serious as governing a country. Finally, the long-suffering Bernard, as Principal Private Secretary to the PM, is constantly placed in the uncomfortable position of having to balance his loyalty to his Civil Service boss, Humphrey, and his obligations to his political master, the Prime Minister.Humphrey can always be guaranteed to block Hacker by the use of his extensive verbal arsenal, interlaced with Latin, into a never-ending maze of incomprehensibility. Apart from the view of British politics, we also get an insight of the British worldview. The episode "Diplomatic Incident" for instance, is simply brilliant and hilarious in this regard. The supremacy of Oxford & Cambridge in academia & learning are constantly hammered home in the numerous instances where Hacker is reminded of the inadequacies of his own education at the LSE. The esoteric exchanges between Humphrey & Bernard regarding the finer points of Latin or Greek grammar, all in the presence of the befuddled Hacker, are annoyingly delightful but serve the same purpose.The only times when Hacker seems to have a level-playing field with his Cabinet Secretary is when he is closely backed by his political adviser, Mrs. Dorothy Wainright, such as in the episode "The Key" or in the one instance when the adorably pompous Humphrey makes a series of indiscreet statements "off the record" which land him in hot water in the episode "Tangled Web." At the same time the series does also comment on some troubling aspects of politics, such as the symbiotic nexus between politics and media, and the manufacture of the contrived incident for political ends, as seen in "Party Games." Finally, although a minimum amount of understanding of British politics and terminology can be helpful (certainly viewing the "Yes, Minister" series will be very appropriate in this regard), but once immersed in this witty comedy even the unfamiliar viewer will be able to follow along in the corridors of power in Number 10 Downing Street, Whitehall and the Cabinet Office.Top marks for a top program!

I am not certain that there is much to be said in reviewing this series, as it is a self-evident fact that, when one considers the magnitude of the topics covered, and the overwhelming sense of obvious hilarity, it becomes blindingly, even conclusively, transparent that this is, not to put too fine a point on it, and taking into account the multifarious merits and demerits of the plethora of other television shows (produced both in Britain and its transatlantic "cousin") so as to accord them appropriate recognition for their indisputably meritorious contributions to the much lauded arena of unrefined comedic diversion, the single most amazing, hilarious and entertaining television show ever produced.Which is to say, this (and its predecessor, "Yes Minister") is the best comedy show I have ever seen. Ever. Brilliantly funny, with crack performances from the entire cast, razor sharp but deliciously understated wit, and, of course, Sir Humphrey, the villain you can't help but love - whilst waiting with bated breath for his next speech.The stories are simple enough in and of themselves - a sometimes less than efficient, but always well-meaning, Prime Minister who must always battle his underlings for each and every change he hopes to make. But don't let that fool you. This is comedy that will cause you to laugh out loud - and make you feel like your IQ went up ten points every time Humphrey opens his mouth. ;-) The only downside to this show is that the "politics" behind politics depicted herein rings so true of "politics" in general that one can only get the distinct sense...*ahem* Nevermind...you'll see what I mean when you watch it - and I strongly encourage you to do so! This really is the best of the best.10/5 stars for this one!

If I were stranded on a desert island, I would select this DVD set, plus its predecessor 'Yes Minister' as the two TV shows I couldn't do without.'Yes Prime Minister' is a cerebral and somewhat sardonic comedy dealing with the eternal struggles in government between the politicians and the bureaucrats. Each group wants something different, and the fun comes from seeing how they scheme to achieve it.Despite it having been produced more than 20 years ago, it is still fresh - the workings of government never really change.Paul Eddington (James Hacker), Nigel Hawthorne (Sir Humphrey Appleby) and Derek Fowlds (Bernard Woolley) are great in their respective roles, and they are supported by other well cast actors.It's so good I can watch any given episode any number of times though my favourites are the one where the prime minister comes out the winner. Viewed in sequence you can in fact watch the prime minister become more confident and more able to deal with the likes of his cabinet secretary and his bureaucratic allies.Don't fail to check out the tribute on the last disk to Paul Eddington who tragically died in 1996. Included also in the collection in the transitional episode "Party Games" which details how the Minister became the Prime Minister.

This is the companion set to "Yes Minister" and it is just as good as its predecessor. The verbal wit and humour are really great, and the acting is once again superb. The characters are well rounded and believable and the actors seem to grow with every episode and they own the roles. It is a great shame that the two main actors are no longer around. This type of humour doesn't date, as so many of the comedy shows do. Well worth watching again and again. I never tired of it.

My mom and I got this for my dad's birthday and haven't started watching it yet. I'm sure we will enjoy it because we liked Yes Minister and other Britcoms. I was pleased with how quickly it arrived.

This series is a very entertaining sequel to "Yes Minister". The series opens with a transitionary episode on how Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) becomes Prime Minister, and is again thrown into a battle of wits with Sir Humphry (Sir Nigel Hawthorne) and the bureaucracy. The intrigue is cunningly played out and the humor as great as ever. Any one who enjoyed "Yes Minister" should consider adding this series to their collection, you will be glad you did.

Very witty, well written and perfectly acted comedy poking fun at government of all stripes and done with customary British flair.