I'm struck when I watch this now by how Paul
Eddington acts in a very different register to the other two leads. Where the
other two are smooth and cautious, Jim Hacker's every thought and feeling is
signaled to the audience through some gesticulation or change of vocal tone
from Eddington - when Hacker feels pleased with himself, when he's anxious,
when he's being flattered, when he's trying to appear wise, etc.
This isn't upstaging or mismatched casting at all, but always works to serve the script. In plots which requires the viewer to assimilate a lot more complicated information than most other sitcoms (in this case, how the findings of official reports can be manipulated), Paul Eddington always gives the viewer an emotional reaction to respond to, as well as an intellectual one. It also works to make a politician (a profession held in low esteem by many) a sympathetic character, even when he's acting out of personal considerations - we can see how we might react in the same way. Paul Eddington had done a lot of theatrical light comedy before Yes Minister, and the particular skills that he needed for that form went on to give this series a lot of its soul.
This isn't upstaging or mismatched casting at all, but always works to serve the script. In plots which requires the viewer to assimilate a lot more complicated information than most other sitcoms (in this case, how the findings of official reports can be manipulated), Paul Eddington always gives the viewer an emotional reaction to respond to, as well as an intellectual one. It also works to make a politician (a profession held in low esteem by many) a sympathetic character, even when he's acting out of personal considerations - we can see how we might react in the same way. Paul Eddington had done a lot of theatrical light comedy before Yes Minister, and the particular skills that he needed for that form went on to give this series a lot of its soul.
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