This is a very great scene displaying the differences between SIr Arnold and Sir Humphrey. Arnold doesn't move a bit in this scene. He is always in control, no matter what happens. Humphrey on the other hand moves around in his chair, raises his voice, pressures Arnold - when he is alone with him. When Bernard comes, Humphrey also tries to show control over the situation and uses his authority for that.
I used to dislike Arnold because he was far too pompous, but now I like the character for the very same reason. He seemed to be the only person Humphrey was frightened of. John Nettleton did a brilliant job of playing him.
-Power goes with permanence. -Impermanence is impotence -And rotation is castration. "Ministers with grip on the job are bit of a nuisance" Magnificently written and acted series.
@@ryanalving3785 So long as you both want the same thing, it's really a good experience. That's the trick. Make sure you're on the same side, and want the same things.
@@okcantbelieveit294 Age is just a number. Granted, it's a number that accurately reflects how incredibly old someone is, but just a number nonetheless.
@@danielyeshe I appreciate it, although I think he would probably go with "Your age is nothing more than a numerical representation of the degree of seniority you have achieved when compared with colleagues with regards to your relative nativities, especially those who one is surprised to learn maintain a still robust constitution despite having experienced a large number of solar revolvings."
"That, Bernard, would strike at the very heart of the system that has made Britain what she is today" What a marvellous piece of writing that both celebrates and derides with the one breathe :)
@@io4439 The technology is not yet ready in a commercial product form. BBC probably wouldn't invest in it now. It would be doable with a small team of engineers and quite some money even now, but the problem really is risk. Right now there is no guarantee that it will work and most importantly that it will make a good return on investment. I am thinking of starting a company for a similar purpose later that would mainly sell the restoration software as service. The idea came at least a year ago because it would be sort of a bi-product of something else I'm quite interested in. Video is sort of a lateral move even from that which was to restore recordings of classical recordings from mono tape recordings to absolutely stunning 7.1 hi def. I have some Rubinstein in mind particularly :)
@@io4439 OK I have to say this 'cause I searched these videos and I'm stunned. These look AMAZING. I think this would work on Yes Minister now! It wouldn't necessarily be perfectly accurate but it wouldn't matter cause it will look gorgeous. I think i will try these algorithms on Yes Minister myself.
@@wendyelsey7765 Today is just like the 1980s. Every problem you saw today is present back in the 1980s, just worse, because they have been allowed to feaster.
0:17 - "The New Standard" was the name used by the newspaper The London Evening Standard from 1980 to 1985. In 2020 it is simply known and referred to as The Evening Standard.
Arnold was a good character and a great piece of casting. Humphrey could have so easily been a calm evil sort but thankfully because of Arnold, really he’s a lightweight. Cunning, manipulative, self-interested, but never cold.
@@russellbradley454 So there is some accountability as for other public servants, but: 1) Is it up to the Minister sack his Secretary? 2) Does he can do that "just because" so to speak (as a Prime Minister can get rid of a Cabinet member) regardless of the reports? I suppose there are protections against some forms of political interference on public service, but I don't know if they would protect a Permanent Secretary from being sacked.
@thiagodeandrade7081 No it would be seen has making the Civil Service a political group. Their duty is to act on policy decisions made by ministers and advise has to further matters. The head of the Civil Service (Sir ARNOLD)!! would have the final say following a misconduct or incompetence board. Hope this helps
Presumably an up-and-coming politician in the party and considered to be the next in line for a cabinet post. Suggested as the next Minister of the Department of Administrative Affairs, if Jim were to go to Brussels.
I found this on Wikipedia about that character, . . . . Basil Corbett is a rival politician who, though he is not seen, is central to the plot of "The Devil You Know".
While I love parts of Mony Python, especially their first two seasons and the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," I think there's a distinct difference between the two. Monty Python shows us an absurd world where pretty much nothing makes sense so they create their own world through an artistic lens. "Yes (Prime) Minister" shows the world as it actually is. And we laugh while we should be crying. As a kid, I didn't get this kind of harsh satire because you have to understand English fully to get it. Monty Python on the other hand, is more for all ages (who appreciate absurd humour) and most of the comedy comes from the situations and visible actions taken by its members (example, the gangs of vicious grannies roaming the streets of a British city). Monty Python shows an absurd world that could never be true but when compared to the actual world, we would much prefer the Python version. "Yes (Prime) Minister" shows the real world and there is no escape from that.
One big issue was that Paul Eddington, who played Jim Hacker, was suffering from cancer during their last season, which ultimately claimed him. I don't think any of us fans could imagine the show without him.
The writers were tired of it. They felt that they had managed to write everything that remained fresh and that if they kept going they'd just recycle plots.
@@heiveldboy That was also why we got 2 seasons of Yes, Prime Minister: They had used their best ideas but promoting him to PM gave them a whole new set of issues & situations to deal with.
@@jaykilkenny4409 Why would you apologise. You did nothing wrong. You are responsible for what you do, not what other may or may not have done a century ago. Britain, just like many other western nations - built the world.
@@jaykilkenny4409 Silly of you to apologise for what others may or may not have done and shame on you, a Brit, for being so ready to "apologise" for Britain's past actions as a colonial power (in this case without even knowing the facts of the case). This is a result of brainwashing by the "woke" left. I am a Sri Lankan, and educated and enlightened people here have a healthy appreciation for the contribution colonial Britain has made to the betterment of this country in virtually every sphere while not being unaware of certain negative aspects. On the whole, the good Brits did while they were here far outweighs the bad, imho.
@@jaykilkenny4409 I sometimes feel like that too. Mostly about football hooligans, but also the larger issues. However, good point from the gentleman in Sri Lanka - I never thought about that. Media is generally negative. Thank you good sir!
This is a very great scene displaying the differences between SIr Arnold and Sir Humphrey. Arnold doesn't move a bit in this scene. He is always in control, no matter what happens. Humphrey on the other hand moves around in his chair, raises his voice, pressures Arnold - when he is alone with him. When Bernard comes, Humphrey also tries to show control over the situation and uses his authority for that.
I used to dislike Arnold because he was far too pompous, but now I like the character for the very same reason. He seemed to be the only person Humphrey was frightened of. John Nettleton did a brilliant job of playing him.
Well observed 😂
-Power goes with permanence. -Impermanence is impotence -And rotation is castration. "Ministers with grip on the job are bit of a nuisance" Magnificently written and acted series.
Its time they all had a little spin.
For such a ruthless civil servant, Sir Humphrey has the most wonderful 'wounded puppy' moments, that you almost feel sorry for him at times. Almost.
He's so devious and conniving in almost every other instance that it's difficult to feel bad when he runs into trouble
@@ryanalving3785
But that's his job. Have you never worked with a Humphrey before?
@@HrHaakon
I can't say I have.
@@ryanalving3785
So long as you both want the same thing, it's really a good experience. That's the trick. Make sure you're on the same side, and want the same things.
@@HrHaakon
I'd rather work with someone who wouldn't knife me in the back the moment they saw an advantage in doing so.
Sir Arnold deserves a spin-off series of his own.
Perhaps a little late at the age of ninety one.
@@okcantbelieveit294 Age is just a number. Granted, it's a number that accurately reflects how incredibly old someone is, but just a number nonetheless.
@@insertclevername4123 That is a very Sir Humphrey thing to say.
@@danielyeshe I appreciate it, although I think he would probably go with "Your age is nothing more than a numerical representation of the degree of seniority you have achieved when compared with colleagues with regards to your relative nativities, especially those who one is surprised to learn maintain a still robust constitution despite having experienced a large number of solar revolvings."
He's 90+ now so I don't he's ready to work
But few years back when Xmen started to downspiral they should've had him to play some hot shot professor
"That, Bernard, would strike at the very heart of the system that has made Britain what she is today"
What a marvellous piece of writing that both celebrates and derides with the one breathe :)
I'm sure most of us would agree that we would appreciate the BBC releasing a re-mastered series on bluray
They can't remaster it, it was filmed on tape. This is the highest quality it will ever get.
At least they can fit it all into a single Blu-Ray if they did.
I think with new AI picture super sizing techniques it will soon be cheaply available.
@@io4439 The technology is not yet ready in a commercial product form. BBC probably wouldn't invest in it now. It would be doable with a small team of engineers and quite some money even now, but the problem really is risk. Right now there is no guarantee that it will work and most importantly that it will make a good return on investment. I am thinking of starting a company for a similar purpose later that would mainly sell the restoration software as service. The idea came at least a year ago because it would be sort of a bi-product of something else I'm quite interested in. Video is sort of a lateral move even from that which was to restore recordings of classical recordings from mono tape recordings to absolutely stunning 7.1 hi def. I have some Rubinstein in mind particularly :)
@@io4439 OK I have to say this 'cause I searched these videos and I'm stunned. These look AMAZING. I think this would work on Yes Minister now! It wouldn't necessarily be perfectly accurate but it wouldn't matter cause it will look gorgeous. I think i will try these algorithms on Yes Minister myself.
Humphreys facial expressions. Especially when Arnold mentions basil Corbett
It's good that these old greats are still having videos posted here, so newcomers get to fall in love with them like I did 😊
Indeed! just started learning how to do a public servant job, this is my textbook now! LoL
Oh Bernard! 🤣 No one wants to hear what happens "in a democracy". 😂 🤣
That is not so funny nowadays.
I almost said 'This is a BRITISH democracy, Bernard' 😂
They made Bernard seem a bit dim in this scene unfortunately.
@@wendyelsey7765 Today is just like the 1980s. Every problem you saw today is present back in the 1980s, just worse, because they have been allowed to feaster.
@@binaldoshi495 And the Americans, the French, the Italians, etc.
0:17 - "The New Standard" was the name used by the newspaper The London Evening Standard from 1980 to 1985. In 2020 it is simply known and referred to as The Evening Standard.
And in 2024 they've dropped the adjective entirely, now they're just "The Standard"
You know the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for because you might get Basil Corbett."
yo ucannot help but love this show, everything in every episode was spot on.intelligently written brilliantly performed
Even Thatcher loved it.
Loved it requires emotion . Remember she hosted as P.M. , J. Saville on Christmas days for his lunch ,
She watched it religiously.
But in a democracy 😂. Thank you Bernard
'Surely in democracy.... ' thankyou Bernard.
Sir Arnold's priceless gaze at Bernard's comment about reshuffling of the Permanent Secretaries 😅
John Nettleton (Sir Arnold) will be 92 in February 2021.
Ohhh! He’s still there - I’m sooo pleased to hear this! God bless his heart.
Feel sorry for the three main actors...
Always knew Sir Arnold would outlast them all.. he is the very definition of 'Permanance'
Arnold was a good character and a great piece of casting. Humphrey could have so easily been a calm evil sort but thankfully because of Arnold, really he’s a lightweight. Cunning, manipulative, self-interested, but never cold.
Not to forget: expertise can influence decisions. That tends to be a little annoying, too :-)...
Yes, Basil Fawlty would make an excellent minister.
Perhaps not inbred enough . Furthermore , he is not a drunk , or cokehead .
Indeed he would. Especially one in charge of silly walks.
@@oliverraven Or silly talks.
Wasn't John Cleese the Minister for Overseas Development in a Monty Python sketch?
@@SpeckleKen I checked it, you're right: it's in S3E2.
Impermanence is impotence - civil service is probably not feeling too potent today - how many PUSs have resigned?
Seems pretty relevant today.
Actually, can a Minister sack a permanent secretary?
I think permanent secretary is 'permanent' until his retirement. So he can be transferred as they are done usually in India but never fired...
And who promotes them?
They are civil servants and would be assessed on their annual reports and performance like in any job.
@@russellbradley454 So there is some accountability as for other public servants, but:
1) Is it up to the Minister sack his Secretary?
2) Does he can do that "just because" so to speak (as a Prime Minister can get rid of a Cabinet member) regardless of the reports? I suppose there are protections against some forms of political interference on public service, but I don't know if they would protect a Permanent Secretary from being sacked.
@thiagodeandrade7081 No it would be seen has making the Civil Service a political group. Their duty is to act on policy decisions made by ministers and advise has to further matters. The head of the Civil Service (Sir ARNOLD)!! would have the final say following a misconduct or incompetence board.
Hope this helps
So sad how close to the truth this is :( and even sadder the nation allows it.
Hey, why not post full shows?
TH-cam's copyright policies. All YM/YPM episodes are available on DVD. Grab a copy, binge-watch and *enjoy!*
BBC have launched Britbox, where all of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are available. These clips are just a taster for fans to join the service.
@@stephenphillip5656 This is the BBC themselves - they don't have copyright issues on this channel as it's their own content.
Sorry didn't catch that. Was Sir Arnold saying the New Standard?
it was/is a newspaper now known as the Evening Standard. Previously also "The Standard" and "The London Evening Standard"
For someone unable to watch the full show, who is Basil Corbett?
“He's a smooth-tongued, hardnosed, cold-eyed, two-faced creep,” according to the Minister.
@@grantbernes2468 and he looks good on TV.
Everything you tell him will appear on the Sun the next day.
Presumably an up-and-coming politician in the party and considered to be the next in line for a cabinet post. Suggested as the next Minister of the Department of Administrative Affairs, if Jim were to go to Brussels.
I found this on Wikipedia about that character, . . . .
Basil Corbett is a rival politician who, though he is not seen, is central to the plot of "The Devil You Know".
Poor bernard
Mmmm?
Hmmm!
Aaaaah....What?
On the same (top) level as Monty Python!
Brilliant British humor @ its best.
While I love parts of Mony Python, especially their first two seasons and the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," I think there's a distinct difference between the two.
Monty Python shows us an absurd world where pretty much nothing makes sense so they create their own world through an artistic lens.
"Yes (Prime) Minister" shows the world as it actually is. And we laugh while we should be crying.
As a kid, I didn't get this kind of harsh satire because you have to understand English fully to get it.
Monty Python on the other hand, is more for all ages (who appreciate absurd humour) and most of the comedy comes from the situations and visible actions taken by its members (example, the gangs of vicious grannies roaming the streets of a British city).
Monty Python shows an absurd world that could never be true but when compared to the actual world, we would much prefer the Python version.
"Yes (Prime) Minister" shows the real world and there is no escape from that.
Boris should have studied this show..😂
He might have lasted longer...
How didn’t they last for 7+ seasons? Was that rare back then?
One big issue was that Paul Eddington, who played Jim Hacker, was suffering from cancer during their last season, which ultimately claimed him. I don't think any of us fans could imagine the show without him.
The writers were tired of it. They felt that they had managed to write everything that remained fresh and that if they kept going they'd just recycle plots.
@@heiveldboy That was also why we got 2 seasons of Yes, Prime Minister: They had used their best ideas but promoting him to PM gave them a whole new set of issues & situations to deal with.
Hi
Hmmmm...
Mmmmm...
Ahhhh...
The Civil servant
Democracy, something some people actually believe we live in one
Who the hell is basil corbett
he was a "rival politician", never actually shown on screen if I remember correctly, but often mentioned. Basically a "MacGuffin" (plot tool)
Back when BBC didn't take bbc for the sake of virtue signalling.
Time you grew up.
Same in my country.
Curse the day Brits came.
I'm a Brit and I apologies for what our people did years ago to you which still affects you today.
@@jaykilkenny4409 Why would you apologise. You did nothing wrong. You are responsible for what you do, not what other may or may not have done a century ago. Britain, just like many other western nations - built the world.
Magnet man: What do you mean "same" and which country? Why do you say "Curse the day Brits came"?
@@jaykilkenny4409 Silly of you to apologise for what others may or may not have done and shame on you, a Brit, for being so ready to "apologise" for Britain's past actions as a colonial power (in this case without even knowing the facts of the case). This is a result of brainwashing by the "woke" left. I am a Sri Lankan, and educated and enlightened people here have a healthy appreciation for the contribution colonial Britain has made to the betterment of this country in virtually every sphere while not being unaware of certain negative aspects. On the whole, the good Brits did while they were here far outweighs the bad, imho.
@@jaykilkenny4409 I sometimes feel like that too. Mostly about football hooligans, but also the larger issues. However, good point from the gentleman in Sri Lanka - I never thought about that. Media is generally negative. Thank you good sir!
Another Great American Show the Brits could learn a thing or two from USA
2:10
@@readsomebooks666 watch The Movie
"Poutie Tang" my confused friend and then you will see Your Mistake
Common
@@readsomebooks666 I see what you did there!
@@neilsanghvi5229 heehee
I guess school wasn't a thing in your family huh?