Dinner for One

At first, the program was only used as a filler on German TV. It was shown four times between 1963 and 1972 before it finally got its now famous regular airing on New Years Eve in 1972. It is so popular in Germany that it is shown multiple times on New Years Eve so that everybody can watch it, when it best fits their schedule. In 2003 it aired a total of 19 times on different stations in Germany.

After James burps, Miss Sophie takes hold of her chair's armrests probably in anticipation of James almost tipping her chair backwards.

Several versions of this sketch were recorded/broadcast or released on DVD/video:

• the original B&W version with an audience as produced by Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) in 1963. 18 minutes
• a changed B&W version where an english spelling error in the intro narration was digitally removed. Shown on German TV since the end of the 90s.
• a changed B&W version without the audience sound. Shown by Danish TV who also omit the introductory narration, bringing the sketch to a 14 minutes runtime
• a computer colorized version produced by the NDR in 1999. Due to massive protest from fans this version is almost never shown
• an alternative B&W version as produced by Swiss TV. This version has no intro narration and misses some gags. This version can be recognized by the much simpler set decoration (no table cloth, smaller/simpler pictures on the walls, much smaller stairs). Released on DVD in Germany. 11 minutes.

Featured in Das Superweib (1996)