Yes Minister Miscellany

by Antony Jay

Yes Minister is one of the most popular and critically successful British sit-coms of all time, partly due to its fascinatingly accurate observations of the eternal sparring between Paul Eddington's naive senior minister, Jim Hacker, and Nigel Hawthorne's infernally cunning Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby. Originally broadcast in three series from 1980 to 1984, Yes Minister won an unprecedented three BAFTA awards in a row, as well as an enduring appeal that has lived far beyond the series or its sequel Yes Prime Minister. Tracing the careers of Hacker, Sir Humphrey and his loyal sidekick Bernard, this amusing and brilliantly illustrated book will appeal to everyone who remembers the series with affection and can't resist watching the repeats. Containing obituaries of the three leading characters, written specially by Sir Anthony Jay, and the sketch written by Bernard Ingham for Margaret Thatcher to perform with Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne, the book contains many surprises as well as reflections on the series and its importance by politicians and journalists of the day.

Genres: Humor

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[David]

This is less a miscellany, more a collection of quotes; it doesn't really provide much by way of information on YM, or those involved in making it. Jay and Lynn's original material is still wonderful but it's hard to see what purpose is served in chopping the scripts up and rearranging them in what appears to often be a fairly random order. A bit of a wasted opportunity.

[John Naylor]

A short addition to one of my favourite television series. There is very little that hasn't been published elsewhere and half the book is quotes from the series. It is good for nostalgia and fans of the series. I couldn't recommend it to those who have never seen it.

[Terri-Lea Chowles]

Had a few great and funny quotes, but definitely only for someone who knows the show well and loves it. As well as British politics.

[Wendy]

Very droll, a nice light read

[Squermish the Book Cat]

An entertaining adjunct to that great TV series.
Largely a collection of quotes from the main protagonists, some of it feels painfully relevant to the current political scene, while some feels more like a comfortable portrayal of simper times.
One for the fans of Yes Minister.

[Dignan107]

Hilarious. Extracts from the scripts of the series I’ve seen many times over. Witty, clever & relevant to all politicians seen in my lifetime and many more before I’m sure. Sir Humphreys big speeches and Bernards Pedantry were particular highlights. First Class

[Peter]

This very funny book is the perfect gift for anyone who is a fan of one of the most popular of British sitcoms.

[Toby Oliver]

At the time when this was a great success on British television it opened the lid of the way in which the Government operated. If you loved the series, then this book gives some interesting and little know facts about the making of the programme.