Dinner for One: When and where to see the classic

Cheerio Miss Sophie!
Dinner for One: When and where to see the classic

© Roba/SiegfriedxPilz UnitedArchives03122 / imago images

What would New Year’s Eve be without “Dinner for One”? At least once. But maybe five, six or seven times – the classic can run up and down during the New Year celebrations.

The lovable and loyal butler James and the slightly odd but definitely ladylike Miss Sophie. These two characters have been a household name in Germany for almost 60 years and are part of the New Year’s tradition for many. All the more important that the popular sketch with the two and their four imaginary fellow drinkers is not missed. Luckily there is still time for that on New Year’s Day (if the celebrations prevent you from doing so, then you’re overtired the next day).

Here you can see James and Miss Sophie

December 31:

  • 3.30 p.m., NDR
  • 5.35 p.m .: NDR and WDR
  • 6.40 p.m., The first
  • 7 p.m.: MDR or RBB
  • 7:10 p.m. HR
  • 7.25 p.m .: SWR or SR
  • 7.40 p.m .: BR or NDR
  • 11.35 p.m., NDR

NDR is the best place to toast a successful party with James, Miss Sophie, Sir Toby, Admiral von Schneider, Mr. Pommeroy and Mr. Winterbottom. There the classic runs four times on New Year’s Eve. The station heralds both the start and the end of the broadcast times.

January 1st:

  • 5:10 a.m., the first
  • 5.30 a.m., RBB

Admittedly, those who may have looked too deep into a glass on New Year’s Eve should better absorb the program. Otherwise, by the time you get up, it will probably be too late. Another alternative would just be: stay awake and then watch it again.

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A prequel is coming

Since the charming British sketch has enjoyed great popularity for decades, there will soon even be a prequel to the classic. The series will be called “Dinner for Five” and filming will start in late 2023.

“Dinner for One” in other variants

In addition to the original sketch from 1963, there is also a Low German version and other interesting productions. For everyone who doesn’t want to see “the same procedure as every year”. If you want a bit of distraction instead, you can practice German dialect and tune in to the following stations:

  • Dinner for One – up flat, 12.25 p.m., NDR
  • Dinner for One in Hessian, 4.50 p.m., HR
  • Dinner with Kölsch, 5.10 p.m., WDR
  • Dinner for One in North Hessian, 6.45 p.m., HR

Was Miss Sophie really 90?

“Dinner for One” revolves around the birthday party of the still very fit looking Miss Sophie (played by May Warden). She celebrates her 90th birthday in the presence of her faithful butler James (Freddie Frinton). But the dapper lady is by no means as old as the sketch claims. May Warden was only 71 at the time. Her acting colleague was even younger at 54. Both actors have since passed away. But her legacy lives on every year, at least in Germany. The legendary sketch was recorded in May 1963 in Studio B at NDR in Hamburg.

Sources used: ndr.de

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Bridget

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