Yes, Minister

1980 • BBC
4.7
140 reviews
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (7)

1 Open Government
2/25/80
Season-only
On the day after the General Election, Jim Hacker MP receives the anxiously awaited call from Number 10 Downing Street with his new ministerial appointment. He has landed the job of Cabinet Minister to the Department of Administration and he has revolutionary plans for Open Government.
2 The Official Visit
3/3/80
Season-only
The Minister has a plan to turn an official visit by the President of Buranda to party political advantage. He wants to move the President's meeting with the Queen to Scotland to coincide with the local elections. The Permanent Secretary dislikes the plan, especially when it precipitates an unforeseen crisis.
3 The Economy Drive
3/10/80
Season-only
Pruning the civil service is a great political platform for the Minister but the idea is deeply upsetting to Sir Humphrey Appleby. He explains that the civil service measures its success by the size of its staff and budget. Perhaps he can find a way to make the Minister abandon the policy.
4 Big Brother
3/17/80
Season-only
Jim Hacker is having some problems with decision making at the same time as he sets out to protect people's right to privacy. He meets with stiff resistance from Sir Humphrey and learns that secrecy is as sacred an observance for civil servants as silence is for Trappist monks.
5 The Writing on the Wall
3/24/80
Season-only
While battling one another on the civil service reduction issue, the Minister and Sir Humphrey learn of a plan that would adversely affect them both. Their own department is now facing closure. They must work together for the first time if they are to prevent it.
6 The Right to Know
3/31/80
Season-only
Are there occasions when a Minister should be kept in the dark? Sir Humphrey seems to be holding back important information about how the department operates. The question takes on new meaning when the Minister's daughter joins a group protesting his plans for administration of the countryside.
7 Jobs for the Boys
4/7/80
Season-only
The Minister is puzzled by Sir Humphrey's evasion of questions about a departmental construction project in the Midlands. When the awful truth is revealed, the Minister finds himself implicated as well. Sir Humphrey must try to rescue the project without attracting publicity.

About this show

When the Right Honorable Jim Hacker lands the job of Cabinet Minister he thinks he is, at last, in a position of power. However, he has not accounted for Sir Humphrey Appleby, his Permanent Under Secretary. Sir Humphrey has made a long career out of confusing and manipulating Ministers, and Jim Hacker is to be no exception.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
140 reviews
Mustafa Dalgalan
August 16, 2020
I have owned over the years, both the sets of yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister and either gave them away or they were borrowed ( never to be returned ) Anyone who understands English must watch them, I have, many times over. English humour at its best or maybe it's just me.
12 people found this review helpful
David Mayne
January 8, 2015
The issues of the moment are so comparable to the issues when it was written. Close to the knuckle but that's the charm. Classic stuff.
Paul G
May 6, 2017
Even a comedy about politicians doesn't put them in a better light in my book.
5 people found this review helpful