British Comedy Guide
Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC
Yes Minister

Yes Minister

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1980 - 1984
  • 22 episodes (3 series)

Political satire in which well-meaning MP Jim Hacker has a fast introduction to the world of Whitehall and must then struggle against the Civil Service. Stars Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott and Neil Fitzwiliam

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 687

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Press clippings

The 50 best TV comedies of all time - ranked

From cult classics to sitcom royalty, we've assembled the definitive list of TV comedy greats - but has Mrs. Brown's Boys made the grade?

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 20th June 2024

'Great sitcoms are missing from our TV screens and our lives - we need them in these times'

Even if "we're all doomed" under the Tories, as Dad's Army's Pte Frazer would say, shows like George And Mildred, Are You Being Served?, Robin's Nest and Three's Company still make us laugh.

Siobhan McNally, The Mirror, 24th January 2024

Yes Minister and 'That Squalid Little Rag'

On the 9th March 1981, BBC2 first broadcast the Yes Minister episode The Death List. It's a particularly good episode for many reasons, not least Graeme Garden marching into the programme for one show-stealing scene, and turning it into The Goodies. But that's comedy, and we don't deal with comedy around here. We deal with far more important things. Such as: which issue of Private Eye is Jim Hacker reading from here?

Dirty Feed, 15th October 2023

The Henderson Report

I want to look at the Radio Times capsule for the episode [the final episode of Series 3 of Yes Minister]. Which features something rather unusual. Take a look at those names. Eddington, Hawthorne, Fowlds: check. But what about Joanna Henderson, playing the Curator? She's not in the episode at all. Nor is she in the end credits. What gives?

Dirty Feed, 8th October 2023

What happens to comedy when British politics becomes a joke?

When audiences do want something sharp, they want it to confirm prejudices.

The Economist, 17th August 2023

Barn Theatre announces cast of I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, I Can't Quite Remember

The Barn Theatre has revealed casting for the upcoming world premiere of I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, I Can't Quite Remember.

Based on Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn's British political satire sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, the new stage adaptation is written and directed by Lynn and dedicated to the memory of Jay, who passed away in 2016.

Sophie Thomas, What's On Stage, 7th August 2023

Yes Minister star John Nettleton dies aged 94

Actor was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in hit political satire and in sequel, Yes, Prime Minister.

PA Media, The Guardian, 14th July 2023

Jonathan Lynn: Why I'm bringing back Yes Minister

The sitcom's creator on Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey's last hurrah, cancel culture, and whether the BBC would make the hit show today.

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 18th April 2023

BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.

British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022

Only Fools And Horses voted favourite ever BBC show

Half of the best-loved BBC programmes of all time are comedies, a new poll has found. Only Fools And Horses topped the survey of viewers of The One Show to mark the Corporation's 100th birthday.

Chortle, 29th January 2022

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