Yes Minister

YES MINISTER. Satirical political sitcom first transmitted by BBC TV between 1980-82 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel Yes Prime Minister ran from 1986-1988. In total there were 38 half-hour episodes. Set principally in the private office of a British government cabinet minister in the (fictional) Department for Administrative Affairs in Whitehall (the sequel was set in the Prime Minister's offices at 10 Downing Street). The series follows the senior ministerial career of The Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP, played by Paul Eddington d1995. His various struggles to formulate and enact legislation or effect departmental changes are opposed by the will of the British Home Civil-Service in particular his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby played by Nigel Hawthorne d2001. His private secretary (Bernard Woolley) played by Derek Fowlds usually became caught between the two. A huge critical and popular success, the series received a number of awards, including several BAFTAS and in 2004 came sixth in Britains Best Ever Sitcom poll.