5 Lessons from Sir Humphrey | Yes, Prime Minister | BBC Comedy Greats
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Sir Humphrey has imparted many pearls of his own political wisdom to Bernard - here are some of our favourites.
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Пікірлер: 419
What do you want Bernard ? I want to have a clear conscience. A clear conscience ? Yes When did you acquire this taste for luxury ? Classic 🤣🤣🤣
@boraradicevic1911
Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂
@aleksanderfinstad5785
Жыл бұрын
😂😁🤣
@solaodebunmi9492
Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂😅
@apomekhanes297
Жыл бұрын
Sir Humphrey (Nigel Hawthorne) was phenomenal - the writing and Hawthorne's portrayal consistently excellent. But, "A clear conscience... when did you acquire this taste for luxuries?" is an absolute highlight. Hardest laugh I've had in the past month. I watched both series (YM and YPM) in their entirety some years ago, but didn't remember the details of this scene ... wasn't quite prepared for the level of perfection there. 🤣🤣🤣
@jimspink2922
Жыл бұрын
@@apomekhanes297 There is another scence where Sir Humphrey is talking with Sir Arnold who having retired from the civil service was Chairman of the Freedom of Information Committie and Sir Humphrey ask him..How things were going at Freedom Of Information and Sir Arnold replies without missing a beat replies Sorry cannot say
“You need to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back” Wonderful writing and acting
@AzguardMike
9 ай бұрын
Odo: you'd stab a man in the back? Garak: of course! its the safest way to be sure Sir Humphrey: Mr Garak, you excell yourself once again!
@thatguyfromcetialphaV
3 ай бұрын
Just Garak... Plan, simple... @@AzguardMike
@ministry_of_love
Ай бұрын
9:11
"The universities, both of them ..." A gem.
@maryasabeaashun201
Жыл бұрын
My fave!
@briananthony4044
Жыл бұрын
The two he attended no doubt.
@johnking5174
Жыл бұрын
It is the pause in the sentence which makes it even better. The universities ... both of them.
@sevenpolar3483
Жыл бұрын
one day that joke might not be relevant anymore and people will wonder what universities Humfrey was talking about, the fact that the joke has survived so long is a testament to just how powerful those institutions are.
@rotboy101
Жыл бұрын
@@sevenpolar3483 Oxford and Cambridge are the 2nd and 3rd oldest universities in the world. They've been around for centuries (800ish years) and will probably still be around for centuries to come.
Sir Humphrey really was the role of a lifetime. Such amazing writing, perfectly delivered every time
@jeremythompson5322
Жыл бұрын
True, but I don't think the performance would have been as good without Hacker, or even Bernard. It's a role that doesn't really work in isolation.
@kodhaivaradarajan2154
Жыл бұрын
All three of them. All three.
@profdc9501
Жыл бұрын
The shows (Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister) were one of the few gems that provides an insight into political life. The West Wing was a more idealistic take on the executive. If only more voters understood how the sausage is made.
@DomWeasel
Жыл бұрын
That's why the remake was so awful. None of the actors were any good with their roles and they had zero chemistry.
@Mububban23
Жыл бұрын
@@DomWeasel There was a remake?!? never heard of it. I guess politics never changes really, but this show was absolute perfection so not sure why they bothered
"You must appear to offer them your full support. After all, you need to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back". …. 😂
Nigel Hawthorne acted as Sir Humphrey Appleby in both series. His mastery in faultlessly delivering complex speech, his diction and timing will always underpin this,his legacy. His delivery was so superb that he created in the Civil Service the vernacular of "doing an Appleby". Such a credit to the English language is very rarely coined: which is a testament to his brilliant acting skills!!! R.I.P Sir Nigel. 👍
@annatamparow4917
Жыл бұрын
I have had the honour of meeting Nigel Hawthorne in his role of The Madness of George III, and he accepted my humble gift with a handwritten note which I treasure to this day! May he rest in eternal peace!
@MrDarkweaver
Ай бұрын
Let's not forget the writing he delivered so well. Nigel Hawthorne was part of a trio in that series that were absolutely perfectly cast, and each of them were brilliant. But the writing they delivered was comedic genius. How else can you explain something so funny, witty, and satrical about something as dry as minsterial politics?
I’m an American and Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister is one of my favorite shows of all time. Two of my favorite Sir Humphrey lines are “controversial means this will cost you votes, courageous means this will cost you the election. And “half of them are your enemies and the other half for the sort of friends that make you prefer your enemies.”
@MrBenzcdi
Жыл бұрын
Those are great! Mine is “a mistake can only be seen as such, at the time, without the benefit of hindsight”.
@clairee4939
Жыл бұрын
“Minister, I don’t know what you don’t know, it could be almost anything” “The ship of state is the only ship that leaks from the top” “The Official Secrets Act isn’t there to protect secrets, it’s there to protect officials”
@bobbrewer5182
Жыл бұрын
Favourite* Time for Americans to learn the English language.
@iandhr1
Жыл бұрын
@@bobbrewer5182 "Yes, the English speaking nations can be said to include the United States....With a certain generosity of spirit. " - Bernard
@clairee4939
Жыл бұрын
@@iandhr1 “two nations divided by a common language” Winston Churchill. Which just reminds me of when Hacker starts talking like Churchill lol
"Both of them" .....after 20 of 30 years, still cracks me up. Timeless. Classic.
@saradhiv3467
Жыл бұрын
Could you care to explain the joke to the non-English? Thanks
@johnwilliamson8110
Жыл бұрын
@@saradhiv3467 certainly, he is referring to Oxford and Cambridge. By implication he doesn’t regard anywhere else as a university.
@saradhiv3467
Жыл бұрын
@@johnwilliamson8110 I understood which two Unis. Over the course of time, its shown that he favours his own alum and I thought he preferred one over the other and when he said "both of them" he was making a one time concession.
@highvoltage7797
Жыл бұрын
@@saradhiv3467 Nah it’s what John said 😂
@arcticchrisx7724
Жыл бұрын
@@saradhiv3467 it was more than that even. He only really regarded another chap as being of sound standing if he was an alumni of the exact same college within Oxford Uni.
14:20 As an Oxford man, Sir Humphrey very broad minded to acknowledge the existence of a second university.
@mhug162
18 күн бұрын
Not so suprising, Hull is a great instituition. Larkin, you know.
"I need to know everything." Great Palpatine moment there!
Still rate this as one of the best sitcoms ever made.
@liamclarke5761
Жыл бұрын
Best political sitcom that is
@Captn_Slow
Жыл бұрын
What? I thought it was a documentary!
@siriondil4739
Жыл бұрын
After all these clips got recommended to me I finally started watching it in full, am almost done with series 2 of Yes, Minister now, and I fully agree. I think it’s certainly one of the finest comedies I’ve ever seen.
@liamclarke5761
Жыл бұрын
@@siriondil4739 what about only fools and horses
@greggweber9967
Жыл бұрын
A great primer for politics on both sides of the Pond.
Nigel Hawthorn as Sir Humphrey is an absolute legend and genius. Superb performance and superb writing.😊
it just goes to show how easy it is to rig an opinion poll, and is done beautifully elegantly
@damienocallaghan2648
Жыл бұрын
If Sir Humphrey was American he would ne DONALD TRUMP
@vhawk1951kl
Жыл бұрын
@@damienocallaghan2648 those that abuse capital letters emphasise nothing but the hysteria of the abuser. I doubt someone with the wits of Sir Humphrey could possibly arise in America.
@alfredthegreat9543
Жыл бұрын
@@damienocallaghan2648 Eh? Appleby is highly intelligent, Trump is the only idiot in a village populated by baboons.
@oliverschoneck7750
Жыл бұрын
Humphrey is far more intelligent and would be down right furious at being compared to that nincompoop.
A timeless classic. So well written albeit disturbingly close to reality, although today's politicians aren't this intelligent.
@lauterunvollkommenheit4344
Жыл бұрын
Sir Humphrey isn't a politician.
@Michelle_Schu-blacka
Жыл бұрын
@@lauterunvollkommenheit4344 It's a weird one because Civil Servants are effectively the government.
@Your.Uncle.AngMoh
Жыл бұрын
@@lauterunvollkommenheit4344 Spot on.
@raifthemad
Жыл бұрын
Both Bernard and Sir Humphrey are in fact unelected bueraucrats from civil service.
@jesperengelbredt
Жыл бұрын
This should be shown to all kids in the higher grades in school to prepare them for the bullshit politicians are pulling all the time.
“Universities-both of them”😅 pure comedy gold
I served in NY (USA) state government law enforcement for 30 years until retiring from it about 10 years ago. I always made a point of watching all the episodes when they were released for both Yes PM and Yes Minister. They were very helpful in my government service ;)
@Stinger913
Жыл бұрын
Based
@miloholmans9665
Жыл бұрын
Bet you can still remember the first African American you hit 🤢🤢
Apart from being one of the best series ever, it also stands as the best insight of how government works.
@someb0dy2
Жыл бұрын
You mean how government STILL works.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister were marvellous documentaries!
@julianaylor4351
Жыл бұрын
😁😆❤️
@v1e1r1g1e1
Жыл бұрын
Yes... or, rather, exposes of what goes on behind closed doors.
@AzguardMike
9 ай бұрын
according to the doccumentry, the episodes were based on leaks by three MP's close to the PM. So Humpy and Hacker saying Number 10 is the only ship that leaks from within, is very true
@MarkJohnson-ro1ed
9 ай бұрын
@@AzguardMike It was worse than that. There were apparently several senior members of the civil service that were sending the writers all the background information that they needed on a regular basis.
*Sir Humphrey:* "...the National Theatre into a carpet sale warehouse?" *Bernard:* "It looks like one, actually!" *Sir Humphrey:* "We gave the architect a knighthood so that nobody would ever say that!" 🤣🤣
"The official secrets act is not to protect secrets, it is to protect officials."
YPM wasn't entertainment, it's priceless life lessons about the reality of political power at the executive level.
This sitcom ages like a fine wine. With every government it becomes more like reality.
@matthewparker9276
5 ай бұрын
It always was reality, governments have just gotten complacent in putting on a front.
2022 and still relevant today. Brilliant 👏
The very best of british comedy, no doubt about that.
@maryasabeaashun201
Жыл бұрын
The very best of comedy, not just British. Period.
40 years later .. and its scarily more accurate today .. Some shows are truly timeless
Weve always loved this show. Back then it was political satire, watching it now seems like reality television. LOL. An extraordinary brilliant comedy.
@raifthemad
Жыл бұрын
It was reality TV back then as well, the guy that Humphrey was based upon was cooperating with the writing staff and some of the events are based on actual ones, like getting drunk at the arabian reception for instance.
One thing that strikes me about this show is the length of the scenes - it's closer to theatre than TV. They go on for quite a long time but we don't really notice because they are so well-written and the actors know what they are doing and can keep the energy up. I doubt TV directors would allow a scene to last more than a couple of minutes now because they would be frightened of the audience getting bored. Most TV now is made so quickly that there's no time for rehearsal, so that if a longish scene works it will usually involve very experienced actors. Otherwise they will break up scenes and intercut them with other ones so that the time doesn't drag so much.
Never grows old ,superb writing
Sir Humphrey is so patient with Bernard
One of the best written, best acted, best researched comedy's of all time.
One of the greatest series, ever ! Humor and truth, manipulated together, so brilliantly !! One of my favorites !!
Sir Humphrey in his element. Outstanding 😂👍
Funny because intelligent. One of my favourite shows.
I have watched this dozens of times, both on TV and on line, it still holds up.
One of my favorite all time shows! I rewatch the whole series every few years.
Nigel Hawthorn really was a first class actor - absolute genius level performance.
a clear conscience, when did you acquire this taste for luxuries. 😂
Best sitcom of all time!
Arguably the most consistently well written series in television history.
Wonderful hearing Humphrey tell Bernard that HE never comes to the point!
This ought to be on the national curriculum.
I want to go back to the days when people were more intelligent and programmes like this were very popular.
@abhaygsingh4405
Жыл бұрын
Intelligent media gives rise to intelligent patrons, intelligent patrons expects its government to be accountable to people. Now we can't have that can we Bernard.😉
@amoral_minority
Жыл бұрын
When was that? People were always stupid. If anything, they are slightly less stupid now, but that isn't saying much.
@abhaygsingh4405
Жыл бұрын
@@amoral_minority true, just trying to be coy
@amoral_minority
Жыл бұрын
@@abhaygsingh4405 not talking about your comment, yours was funny
@HDreamer
Жыл бұрын
I wonder if there's a site that has the number on how many people actually watched it back in the day.
The more I've watched this gem of a comedy I realise what genius the writing and brilliant acting of these characters they make politics fun to watch utterly compelling true genius all the lead actor's are sorely missed BRILLIANT, AMAZING, WONDERFUL CAN'T PRAISE THEM ENOUGH.
Frighteningly accurate! More now than then!
"The Universities, Both of them." I always thought that Sir Humphrey was wrong about that, having lived near Oxford, I have only been able to count 1 University.
@diestormlie
7 ай бұрын
That just goes to show the even-handed, far-sighted nature of the Civil Service.
Exquisite writing and acting.
@vhawk1951kl
Жыл бұрын
I doubt if any contemporary actor could remember and deliver the following lines from the episode: "what a tangled web we weave" as well as Nigel Hawthorne : "Unfortunately although the answer was indeed clear, simple and straightforward, there is some difficulty in justifiably assigning to it the fourth of the epithets you applied to the statement, inasmuch as the precise correlation between the information you communicated and the facts, in so far as they can be determined and demonstrated, is such as to cause epistemological problems of sufficient magnitude as to lay upon the logical and semantic resources of the English language a heavier burden than they can reasonably be expected to bear." I also doubt that many contemporary beings have a sufficient attention span rather longer than that of the average goldfish or garden furniture, to understand them or find them amusing. I'm almost certain that no contemporary American could possibly follow them, although the immortal Dorothy Parker would have relished them with delight. Anyone that can write: “Those familiar with the novels of Miss X will look forward to her next novel with the sort of enthusiasm generally reserved to that of the fatted calf when contemplating the return of the prodigal son.” could also have written those words delivered so perfectly by Nigel Hawthorne. Wits such as those are rare in any land let alone America.I doubt if contemporary America can produce another wit like that of Dorothy Parker, although tthe writers of the big bang theory do indeed come close at times. There are indeed some that sneer at Americans but they forget some of the wonders that America has produced, not least Robert Benchley and Dorothy Parker - real cynics are not common in contemporary America, as far as I can determine. The predisposition of contemporary Americans to sentimentality would have to be excised before another Dorothy Parker might be possible.
I’m crying - subtitles for sir Humphrey is ‘hungry’ and ‘Batman’ for Bernard 😂😂😂
Not to be surprised but Dame (and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) Margaret Tatcher was a big fan and loyal watcher of both series and: 1)By 1984 she made sure write a sketch which you can see here/Yt named"Yes Real Prime Minister AKA The Thatcher Sketch"(performed on the National Viewers and Listeners Awards in 1984)with herself. Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne involved in it. and 2) When the producers asked persmission to tape a segment outside the real Downing Street 10 facade (part of Season 1 of Yes Prime Minister, Eppisode 4"The Key"(1986)), she allowed it to happen.
Bernard.... come and sit down... LOL
This is gold very grateful to all the folks at the bbc 🙏👍
@Bawheidbob
Жыл бұрын
Let's not go too far lol
@Pwills
Жыл бұрын
@@Bawheidbob I bet none of them have ever had that said to them before 😂🤣😂
@ihsandujaili8515
Жыл бұрын
Without any doubt "Yes, minster" is the crown 👑 of the BBC sitcom, l borrowed it many times from the library till I end up buying the complete collection to say the least!
@michaelmeredith9470
Жыл бұрын
This would never get commissioned today
The very best of British Comedy.
An entire political education in one show.
My American friend was confused as to why i wasn't worried about Boris resigning, I told him to watch some yes minister clips on KZread, he came back to me with, but its a comedy and I replied so was MASH ! Now he understands.
Bernard is quite brilliant and underrated.
I simply love British humor ❤ Well written, excellent delivery
The best ever documentary about British politics.
@brucemckean2848
Ай бұрын
Only British?
You could label this as a documentary program on PBS and the people will not blink.
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister was an education in politics
Always good to be reminded how perfect the writing and performances were. Just noticed how bad the lighting was.
Bernard: (anxious, worried) "But you only need to know things on a need to know basis!" Humphrey: (emphatic, jowls quivering, gritted teeth): "I need to know EVERYTHING! How else would I judge whether or not I need to know it?" Unparalleled brilliance in both writing and delivery - satire at its best!
i always lose it when Sir Humphrey says months of fruitful work
@kiwitrainguy
Ай бұрын
More like (what he is really saying) "months of fruitless work".😄
@M-E_123
13 күн бұрын
"This is a British democracy" tops it for me.
This is not a sitcom, this is reality then and today
Just the greatest show ever.
Such delicious writing and faultless delivery.
We are lucky to have had a man like Sir Humphrey run the country.
A masterpiece theese series.
So clever it could have been made today, and the acting is superb.
@robdykes3659
Жыл бұрын
No it couldn't according to the woke agenda you would have to have half if them black,some black woman in it,a man in a wheelchair,a transgender arsehole for the LGBT+ mob a asian person,just to get pass the planning stage,so your not accuse of racism against minority people,this why tv is shit today
@sonnylambert4893
Жыл бұрын
So clever it would not be allowed to be made today particularly criticizing progressive liberal Marxist governments in Western civilizations
@michaelmeredith9470
Жыл бұрын
There are no writers around today let alone actors that could make a series of such subtlety
@richardarriaga6271
Жыл бұрын
@@michaelmeredith9470 Not true. It's a studio exec problem.
Yes Minister, what a cracka of a series!
Still a masterpiece.
A timeless masterclass acting and how bureaucracies all over the world operate. Superb quality in every aspect!
@Maisiewuppp
17 күн бұрын
Yes, it really is universal but so well clothed in British-ness.
min 09:29 change his mind: 1) express absolute support 2) list praise worthie qualities that makes him unsuitable for the job 3) make those become a vice by labeling them 4) name the bad points by defending them with excuses... wow!!!
@valicourt
Жыл бұрын
I heard a minister say on radio 4 about Boris J. before he was forced out of office: “Yes he is a liar but his heart is in the right place.” That was point 4 taken care of.
4:41 Bernard: I thought you only needed to know things on an need to know basis. Sir Humphrey: I need to know everything! How else can I judge whether or not I need to know it.
Brilliant never bettered
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
People say that this is a reflection of politics, actually it’s about power. It’s genius, but it’s about power in all its forms
@schubertuk
Жыл бұрын
The exercise of power is about politics (with a lower case 'p') - they are eternally entwined.
This show is perfection.
This is truly funny. Lovely program. I grew up watching these series. Love it
"If the right people don't get the power, the wrong people will get it" That sounds right.. And yet somehow i am sure that i will get beaten if i used it as campaign slogan
@nobel87able
5 ай бұрын
P.S I think this is why the regional government major hire the people but the central government or the overseer aka the governor paid/approved their salary payment.
❤ Could we have some new episodes...have watched these hundreds of times,still laugh my heart out.😂🎉
Brilliant absolutely Brilliant
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
It’s vital to know that they’re there! - Definition of a comfort zone :)
Sir Humpy is beyong amazing chatacter 😂his domina is Everything!!
It’s not comedy, it’s documentary. 🤣🤣
@feliscorax
Жыл бұрын
It’s a documentary performed as satire - and satire, as we all know, is sarcasm’s more truthful alter-ego.
After all this time I still love Humpy.🎉🎉❤
You only need to know things on a need to know basic. I need to know everything! ...... 😆❤️
I think the main lesson we can learn from Sir Humphrey and Jim Hacker is that just because you are the leader, that doesnt mean you are in control. It is the person with their hand on the wheel who steers the ship, and while they ostensibly dont have a say in where the ship goes, with enough engineering they can make it so that they inevitably steer in the direction that they are most comfortable with, even against the captain's wishes.
Absolutely 💯 timeless.
… Neville Chamberlain was very keen on peace!!! 🤣🤣🤣
BORIS was taking notes TYPE IN Yes Minister - Appalled
Brilliant!!!!!
Humphrey's "hands of the barbarians" jeremiad is perhaps the greatest distillation of Establishment tenets ever achieved.
The funny thing is Lossiemouth is gorgeous lmao
@mikesamuels5087
Жыл бұрын
Yes, it's delicious.
the universities,both of them...rofl
Its surprising how accurate this show is
16 minutes of genius.
Brilliant comedy!
I wish the people running the country these days were this competent
@Maisiewuppp
17 күн бұрын
Then you are obviously 😢getting the point.
I dont think BBC will ever be able to make show like this ever
learned ALOT watching this. Managers use similar tactics as shown in this moccumentry, double talk and implied favours for promotions.