Yes, Minister (UK)

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First Aired: Mar. 16, 1981 on BBC TWO

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Season 2 » Episode #04 - The Greasy Pole

Summary: Plans to manufacture a controversial chemical at a factory on Merseyside cause disagreement between Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey

James Hacker: Ministers are not experts. They are chosen expressedly because they know nothing.

James Hacker: How does it feel, Richard, to move from the Commons to the Lords?
R A Crichton: Like moving from animals to the vegetables.

James Hacker: This is a democracy, and the people don't like it.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: The people are ignorant and misguided.
James Hacker: Humphrey, it was the people who elected me!

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This episode's title is an allusion to a famous quotation by Benjamin Disraeli: "I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole". In Disraeli's case, it referred to achieving high political office (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) while being of Jewish parentage.