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A Very Courageous Decision: The Inside Story of Yes Minister
The BBC satirical sitcom Yes, Minister was not only one of the most successful and fondly remembered television comedies of the 1980s, it was also a slyly radical critique of the politics of its day. At a time when Thatcherite ideas were challenging vested interests in government, industry and society, the depiction of the hapless and self-deluding minister, Jim Hacker, and the wily civil servant, Sir Humphrey, seemed, to many, to sum up an Establishment out for little more than its own gain. Now, acclaimed entertainment historian Graham McCann goes behind the scenes to reveal the curious origins of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite television show.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 2, 2021
‘A Very Courageous Decision’ is one of those rare books in the study of popular culture that is able to combine an extremely detailed appraisal of (in this instance) a television program with an informed and wide ranging appreciation of wider political social and historical things that are associated with said subject. It must be said that McCann had no other option but to take such an approach if he was to make a successful attempt at discussing and detailing the history of the programs ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’. When one reflects upon the complexity and groundbreaking achievements of the TV shows and those associated with its production it was paramount for the cam to do as he has done. That he has achieved so much in this book is because not only has he followed this path but that he has done it with such erudition and completeness. It is one thing to talk about how great a TV show (or book, or film) is; it is another to remind people of greatness through a highly informative and informed critique that reflects the stature of the subject.
The most effective and important aspect of McCann’s approach in this book is that he is able to juxtapose the history, complexity and humour of the ‘Yes Minister’ series with the wider implications and impact of the program. Television sitcoms are not necessarily the stuff of cultural and political change. More often than not they are designed to provide a viewing audience with something to laugh at whilst garnering eyes on the program for advertising or other utilitarian reasons. McCann shows in this study that Anthony Jay and Jonathan. Lynn surpassed these limited aspects of TV comedy, producing an iconic cultural artefact that changed how many perceive contemporary society. ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’ are shown by McCann to be highly literate and socially important texts that went above and beyond their nominally ephemeral nature.
This text is an incredibly well structured and researched study of the television program and as stated it includes a very high level of intellectual content that one might not nominally expect to associate with a sitcom. In this work McCann looks at political philosophy and history as well as issues relating to the very nature of the Westminster system of government. He applies an understanding of these and other complex issues to accentuate and affirm the quality of Jay and Lynn’s work. It is most satisfying that McCann has been able to bring a level of intellectual analysis to a TV program that in and of itself was intellectually funny.
This book does go into a lot of detail about the development of the ‘Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister’ programs, so it’s not all just academic analysis. McCann details almost every think that one would like to know about how the writers, cast and crew of the program worked through all of its years in production. There is also plenty of material about what proceeded and came after the original broadcasting of the sitcoms. No one who is a fan of these shows will find anything wanting in terms of trying to get a handle on what transpired during its production or what people said about it. There is plenty of inside information about what went on behind the scenes plus some useful critical observations on the quality of individual episodes and series. ‘A Very Courageous Decision’ is the most complete, accessible, learned and effective study of a sitcom that I have read.
Whilst the paramount audience for this book will be those who are fans of the sitcom I would like to think that there will be others out there who will be interested in reading this book because of what it says about the power of television and of complex and creative ideas in popular culture. ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’ are landmarks in the popular imagination of politics and those who played a crucial role in its creation deserve the depth of study that McCann brings in ‘A Very Courageous Decision’. This is an excellent book that I hope others will find and read and enjoy.
The most effective and important aspect of McCann’s approach in this book is that he is able to juxtapose the history, complexity and humour of the ‘Yes Minister’ series with the wider implications and impact of the program. Television sitcoms are not necessarily the stuff of cultural and political change. More often than not they are designed to provide a viewing audience with something to laugh at whilst garnering eyes on the program for advertising or other utilitarian reasons. McCann shows in this study that Anthony Jay and Jonathan. Lynn surpassed these limited aspects of TV comedy, producing an iconic cultural artefact that changed how many perceive contemporary society. ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’ are shown by McCann to be highly literate and socially important texts that went above and beyond their nominally ephemeral nature.
This text is an incredibly well structured and researched study of the television program and as stated it includes a very high level of intellectual content that one might not nominally expect to associate with a sitcom. In this work McCann looks at political philosophy and history as well as issues relating to the very nature of the Westminster system of government. He applies an understanding of these and other complex issues to accentuate and affirm the quality of Jay and Lynn’s work. It is most satisfying that McCann has been able to bring a level of intellectual analysis to a TV program that in and of itself was intellectually funny.
This book does go into a lot of detail about the development of the ‘Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister’ programs, so it’s not all just academic analysis. McCann details almost every think that one would like to know about how the writers, cast and crew of the program worked through all of its years in production. There is also plenty of material about what proceeded and came after the original broadcasting of the sitcoms. No one who is a fan of these shows will find anything wanting in terms of trying to get a handle on what transpired during its production or what people said about it. There is plenty of inside information about what went on behind the scenes plus some useful critical observations on the quality of individual episodes and series. ‘A Very Courageous Decision’ is the most complete, accessible, learned and effective study of a sitcom that I have read.
Whilst the paramount audience for this book will be those who are fans of the sitcom I would like to think that there will be others out there who will be interested in reading this book because of what it says about the power of television and of complex and creative ideas in popular culture. ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’ are landmarks in the popular imagination of politics and those who played a crucial role in its creation deserve the depth of study that McCann brings in ‘A Very Courageous Decision’. This is an excellent book that I hope others will find and read and enjoy.
February 24, 2017
Welcome for those seeking a comprehensive account of the program's genesis and history.
However, the writer seems uncertain whether to be a chronicler or a reviewer, often saying what people "should" have done. And he becomes obtrusive with his own attitudes ("___ and her noisy organization".) He does not bother to restrain his hatred of Thatcher and expects the reader to share it as a matter of course. (Treating her appearance and gait as MORAL failures.)
However, the writer seems uncertain whether to be a chronicler or a reviewer, often saying what people "should" have done. And he becomes obtrusive with his own attitudes ("___ and her noisy organization".) He does not bother to restrain his hatred of Thatcher and expects the reader to share it as a matter of course. (Treating her appearance and gait as MORAL failures.)
February 11, 2024
to be fair….
To be fair, my lower star rating is in part because, although I love the tv show and found the bits in this book directly about that and its stars very good, I only have a passing interest in politics (enough to get my nearly 40 year old self by) and certainly not much interest of the politics of the time the sitcom was written. As a fair amount of this book touches on that, and with non-fiction not really being “my genre” it gets a lower mark from me for my personal preference than this book meh well deserve. So I’d urge any fan of the show to read it themselves and make their own decision.
To be fair, my lower star rating is in part because, although I love the tv show and found the bits in this book directly about that and its stars very good, I only have a passing interest in politics (enough to get my nearly 40 year old self by) and certainly not much interest of the politics of the time the sitcom was written. As a fair amount of this book touches on that, and with non-fiction not really being “my genre” it gets a lower mark from me for my personal preference than this book meh well deserve. So I’d urge any fan of the show to read it themselves and make their own decision.
Read
July 2, 2024A thoroughly enjoyable read, giving insight into the background to the series (and incidentally explaining why there are one or two jarring notes in the pilot episode), while showing just how startlingly true to the the storylines were. The civil service of the 1980s was quite different from today, but in many ways not much has changed! The series had a subtle humour that strengthened its impact over more recent imitations, I believe
October 6, 2024
The political background makes for dry reading, and as this forms a lot of the first section of the book, I very nearly gave up on it.
Throughout, Graham McMann tends to go into too much unnecessary detail - as if he is trying to cram in every bit of research he has done - and give jarring negative opinions of Yes [Prime] Minister and other sitcoms, but there are interesting passages in here - for casual fans of the series like me, and those who are more devoted.
Throughout, Graham McMann tends to go into too much unnecessary detail - as if he is trying to cram in every bit of research he has done - and give jarring negative opinions of Yes [Prime] Minister and other sitcoms, but there are interesting passages in here - for casual fans of the series like me, and those who are more devoted.
December 8, 2019
A comprehensively researched and well-written history of the peerless television comedy Yes Minister (and Yes Prime Minister), from its real-life political grounding and inspirations to its creation, scripting, performance, reception and legacy. McCann mixes critical analysis with behind-the-scenes interviews and extensive excerpts.
June 9, 2025
A really well researched and interesting book. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It not only gives information about the series, but some details on some of the background on where ideas came from. It didn't just cover the television show but touch on the books, radio sit com, the stage play and the reboot.
August 26, 2025
An excellent overview of a classic TV sitcom. Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister should be required viewing of all students of politics, policy, and public administration. It is pertinent not only for the United Kingdom, but also for the United States. This book goes into the origin and the background of the series. I found the book well written and it kept my interest throughout.
May 31, 2020
Very well written and researched depiction of the creation of yes minister and yes prime minister, the writer does make the mistake on a couple of occasions of interjecting his personal opinion on what the show creators should have done, when it comes to representing political points.
May 4, 2024
Puff piece
It was a sitcom. Sometimes a very funny and well acted one. But that's all it was. It didn't change anything and had none of the significance this hagiographic account gives it.
It was a sitcom. Sometimes a very funny and well acted one. But that's all it was. It didn't change anything and had none of the significance this hagiographic account gives it.
March 15, 2018
Brilliant.
An excellent book and explains the series to a tee... made me watch it again! And download the later one..
An excellent book and explains the series to a tee... made me watch it again! And download the later one..
January 8, 2023
A well researched walk-thru of, in my opinion, the greatest political comedy (not satire) of all time. Great read.
July 16, 2023
Interesting story of the sit com from beginning to end. Perhaps one for fans rather than the general reader.
December 24, 2022
An interesting look inside the history of Yes (Prime) Minister, the unforgettable comedyserie. Well written, but at times somewhat uncritical, and occasionally quite pompous.
January 5, 2020
There is a great book waiting to be written about one of the greatest British sitcoms ever made. This one bears as much resemblance to it as a live tree does to sawdust.
It digs up a few interesting facts on how the episodes were written, how they anticipated this, how they mirrored that. But its biggest problem is style. If anyone writes prose more pompous and long-winded than McCann I’d be surprised:
‘True, there were brief annual spasms of distant visibility, when the three main parties set up stall at the seaside for their respective conferences, and longer periods of staged accountability mixed with sundry redundant intimacies that happened every few years during the run-up to each General Election, but neither of these events afforded the public a genuinely rich and vivid opportunity to analyse the actions of their elected representatives, let alone lend them any insight into the ancillary activities of their unelected civil servants.’
It’s like listening to Humphrey deliver a monologue after swallowing a fistful of downers.
It digs up a few interesting facts on how the episodes were written, how they anticipated this, how they mirrored that. But its biggest problem is style. If anyone writes prose more pompous and long-winded than McCann I’d be surprised:
‘True, there were brief annual spasms of distant visibility, when the three main parties set up stall at the seaside for their respective conferences, and longer periods of staged accountability mixed with sundry redundant intimacies that happened every few years during the run-up to each General Election, but neither of these events afforded the public a genuinely rich and vivid opportunity to analyse the actions of their elected representatives, let alone lend them any insight into the ancillary activities of their unelected civil servants.’
It’s like listening to Humphrey deliver a monologue after swallowing a fistful of downers.
April 23, 2017
This is a book designed for fans of the series, "Yes Minister," and "Yes Prime Minister." It details the evolution of the shows from original idea to their eventual implementation. It gives insights into the creators, Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, and includes details of how they researched each episode and how they agreed on the (Brilliant) casting. There are additional comments about and from the cast but this is primarily a book about the development of this classic sitcom. Insightful and detailed easily a must read for all of us who enjoyed this British television masterpiece.
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April 30, 2017Great fan books.
Really love those small stories or review for each character.
Really love those small stories or review for each character.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews