Yes, Minister

Yes, Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister are British sitcoms that were transmitted by the BBC between 1980 and 1988. The setting was, at first, the private office of a government minister and, in the sequel, 10 Downing Street. All 38 episodes were written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn and all but one are 30 minutes in length.

Critical reception

Yes, Minister came sixth in a 2004 BBC poll to find 'Britain's Best Sitcom'. In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted by industry professionals, Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister were jointly placed ninth.

Related Topics:
2004 - BBC - Britain's Best Sitcom - 100 Greatest British Television Programmes - British Film Institute - 2000

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Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister have been cited by political scientists for their accurate and sophisticated portrayal of these relationships. The shows were very popular in governmental circles and they were the favourite programme of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, leading to her staging a four-minute sketch with the show's two principal actors. Another ten-minute sketch was performed as part of a Christmas Special in 1982. Interestingly, she read the show as an indictment of the civil service while others believe it is an indictment of the British parliamentary system. Most people agree that it is a combination of both.

Related Topics:
Political scientists - Margaret Thatcher - 1982

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