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Prime Minister's Questions

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TV Series

The Resume

    (1961- )
    30 minutes
    Broadcast live on C-Span 2 every Wednesday at 12 PM British Time/7 AM Eastern
    Repeated on C-Span Sunday evenings at 9 PM and 12 AM Monday Eastern
    Betty Boothroyd - Speaker (1992-2001)
    Michael Martin - Speaker (2001- )
    Margaret Thatcher (1979-90)
    John Major (1990-97)
    Tony Blair (1997- )
    Originated by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
    Premise: Prime Minister (PM) of the United Kingdom (UK) answers questions from Members of Parliament (MPs)
    Theme song is 'Music for Royal Fireworks' by Friedrich Handel

Why Prime Minister's Questions might be annoying:

    Unfortunately, it originally was not televised and thus there are no videos of the early episodes. Although reportedly PM MacMillan's answers killed.
    It is also called 'PMQ,' 'Prime Minister's Question Time' and 'British House of Commons Question Time'
    PM John Major's bombed - his performance was weak and uncomfortable.
    Before Blair was Prime Minister it was 15 minute sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
    When the House of Commons is not in session the replacement programming is weak. It is either interviewing ambassadors or Question Times in other Parliaments (Like Australia, Wales, Scotland or New Zealand).
    The first question is fluff about the PM's schedule.
    Since a number of questions are pre-written, a person will just say 'question #5.' Then they have to super impose the question on the screen.
    The opposition leader gets special treatment and asks the first question and a number of follow ups.
    The next leading party's leader is then allowed a question or two and then the floor is open up to the members (MP).
    MPs who are junior members sit behind their party leaders and are called back benchers (how demeaning).
    MPs from the PM's party ask softball questions.
    The PM often directly avoid the question to work his agenda in, this usually is met with boos and groans from the opposition.
    Although it goes on at 12 noon, the photo of Big Ben shows 6:27.

Why Prime Minister's Questions might not be annoying:

    Viewers are often shocked to find out others also watch it.
    Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Betty Boothroyd proved they could handle themselves well under fire.
    It shows how democracy works.
    After the PM answers a question, others who wish to ask a question stand, making for good TV.
    It has been parodied on sketch comedy shows such as SNL
    It looks like a lengthy Monty Python skit.
    It gives us an insight into British humor (er humour).
    Many of the insults are cloaked in the guise of my 'good friend' or calling the other guy, 'honorable' (er honourable).
    Backbenchers are allowed to hoot and holler but sometimes are admonished by the speaker.
    When Betty Boothroyd was speaker, she didn't take much nonsense and really had great cutting one liners.
    'Question Time' is the most popular Parliamentary event, tickets are very hard to come by.
    Although it is scheduled for 30 minutes it can last a bit longer or shorter.
    The spin-off PM Question Times are not nearly as successful as the British version.

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 52.38% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 65 Votes: 70.77% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 29 Votes: 72.41% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 76 Votes: 63.16% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 113 Votes: 57.52% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 94 Votes: 53.19% Annoying