I came across “Dinner for One” the first time I spent Christmas and New Year in Germany with my then wife-to-be, Rita, in 2009.

Like most British people, it seems, I’d never heard of it, although I knew of Freddie Frinton.

I was intrigued by the sketch and fascinated by how much German folk love the show, even though they watch it ritually every year.

Frinton and Warden performed “Dinner for One” on stage on Britain's seaside piers as early as 1945.

In 1962, German entertainer Peter Frankenfeld and director Heinz Dunkhase discovered “Dinner for One” in Blackpool. The sketch was staged in Frankenfeld's live show soon afterwards, and recorded on 8 July 1963 at the Theater am Besenbinderhof in Hamburg in front of a live audience.

The sketch was recorded in English with a short introduction in German. According to the NDR, Frinton and Warden were each paid DM 4,150 (2,075€).

The show was re-run occasionally until it gained its fixed spot on New Year's Eve in 1972.

Plot

Heinz Piper introduces the story as the master of ceremonies (MC): 

Miss Sophie (Warden) is celebrating her 90th birthday. As every year, she has invited her four closest friends to a birthday dinner: Sir Toby, Admiral von Schneider, Mr. Pomeroy, and Mr. Winterbottom. However, she has outlived all of them, requiring her butler James (Frinton) to impersonate the guests.

James has to serve Miss Sophie the four courses – mulligatawny soup, North Sea haddock, chicken and fruit – but also serve the four imaginary guests the drinks chosen by Miss Sophie (sherry, white wine, champagne and port for the respective courses). He must also slip into the role of each guest and drink a toast to Miss Sophie.

As a result, James becomes increasingly intoxicated and loses his dignified demeanour; he pours the drinks with reckless abandon, breaks into "Sugartime" by the McGuire Sisters for a brief moment, and at one point accidentally drinks from a flower vase, which he acknowledges with a grimace and exclaims "Oooh! I'll kill that cat!"

There are several running gags in the piece:

• James frequently trips over the head of a tigerskin rug; as an additional punchline, he walks past it in one instance to his own astonishment, but then stumbles over it on the way back. In another instance, he gracefully steps over it, and in the final instance, the tipsy James leaps over the head.
• Sir Toby would like to have poured a small extra amount of each drink, and James complies with the request with initial politeness and then increasing sarcasm.
• Miss Sophie expects James, as Admiral von Schneider, to knock his heels together with the exclamation "Skål!" (Scandinavian for "Cheers!"). Because this action proves painful, he asks each time whether he really has to, but obliges upon Miss Sophie's insistence. The gag is broken as an additional punchline when the drunk James' feet miss each other, causing him to stumble.
• Before each course, James asks and gradually babbles "The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?"; Miss Sophie replies "The same procedure as every year, James".

Finally, Miss Sophie concludes the evening with an inviting "I think I'll retire", to which James and Sophie repeat their exchange concerning the "same procedure". James takes a deep breath, turns to the audience with a sly grin and says "Well, I'll do my very best" before the pair retreat to the upper rooms.

Watch the original 1963 version here: Dinner for One with Freddie Frinton and May Warden - YouTube

The sketch has become a viewing tradition on New Year's Eve in German-speaking countries, where up to half the population may watch it every year on New Year's Eve. Some die-hard fans even copy the meal served in the sketch.

The full 18-minute version is typically aired in Germany on TV Channel Das Erste in the afternoon, and on the regional third channels several times throughout the afternoon and evening. In Austria and Switzerland the sketch is also aired on New Year’s Eve.

It is also a New Year tradition in Scandinavian countries.

In Finland, the show is viewed by 400,000 viewers each New Year's Eve.

In Sweden, the show was suspended for six years after its first screening, deemed unsuitable because of James' heavy drinking. However, the TV network finally capitulated to popular demand and brought it back. It has been broadcast every year since 1976 in Sweden, with the exception of 2004 in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

In 1985, the Danish television network, DR, decided not to broadcast the sketch, but received so many complaints that it returned the following year. With this single exception, “Dinner for One”  has been shown on DR every 31 December since 1980.

In Norway, the show is broadcast on Christmas Eve, also since 1980.

It is broadcast annually on New Year's Eve in Australia (since 1989) and South Africa, though it is not as well known as in Europe. It was shown briefly in the USA (by HBO) in the 1970s.

The sketch is almost completely unknown in the United Kingdom, and its first national British television airing did not come until Sky Arts broadcast the film on New Year's Eve 2018 (although a year before, the film had been screened on Grimsby local channel Estuary TV). The Sky Arts broadcast included English subtitles for the German-language introduction.

Although the sketch is most popular in European countries, it is usually shown in the original English without dubbing or subtitles. It is easy to understand with even a basic knowledge of English due to the physical nature of the comedy. 

“Dinner For One” on “The One Show”

In December 2013 Gyles Brandreth presented an interesting item on BBC 1's The One Show about the “Dinner For One” phenomenon, in which he interviews British people, German fans and even Freddie Frinton’s widow and daughter.

You can view that broadcast here: The 'Dinner for One' Phenomenon - BBC 'The One Show' - Bing video

The NDR television channel recorded several other versions in 1963.

Danish TV shows a version in which no audience is heard.

A third, 11-minute version was recorded by Schweizer Fernsehen (Swiss Television) with less alcohol drunk.

Both the 18-minute and 11-minute versions have been released on DVD in Germany.

In 1977, the Dutch public broadcasting system created a Dutch language version, but this never achieved the same popularity as the original.

In 1999, the NDR released a colourised version.

In Denmark a parody of the sketch was filmed, subtitled "The 80th Birthday", in which Miss Sophie's friends are still at the table (though the NDR version mentions that the last of Miss Sophie's friends died 25 years ago).

Other versions have been produced in different German dialects, including one in Low German (Plattdeutsch). This version, "Dinner for One Up Platt" is also aired on NDR in rotation annually along with the original.

On 24 December 2011, a digitally-edited satirical version entitled "The 90th Euro rescue summit, or, Euros for No One", produced by Udo Eling and German state broadcaster ARD, was uploaded to YouTube. It features German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Miss Sophie and French President Nicolas Sarkozy as her butler, James, and has new German, and some French, dialogue about the Eurozone debt crisis.

You can watch it here: The 90th Euro rescue summit, or, Euros for No One - Suchen (bing.com)

In 2016, Netflix made a parody in which Miss Sophie's guests are replaced with characters from Netflix shows, specifically Saul Goodman from "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul", Frank Underwood from "House of Cards", Pablo Escobar from "Narcos", and Crazy Eyes from "Orange is the New Black".

The line "Same procedure as every year" (in the original English) has become a very popular catchphrase in Germany. The phrase has entered everyday vocabulary, and is used in newspaper headlines and advertisements. This is also the case in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

The sketch resonated strongly with Norwegian, Luxembourgish and German audiences. The sketch is one of the most widely-known pieces of English-language media in Europe despite its relatively minimal impact in Britain.

Deutsche Post issued a commemorative stamp for the show on 11 October 2018.

In January 2021, Google added an easter-egg to their Knowledge Panel. The panel included a tiger's head, which when clicked showed James running across the screen and tripping over said tiger. It also featured sound clips from the film, chiefly the line "Same procedure as every year, James.”

In December 2022, it was announced that German studio UFA would produce a six-part prequel series, set 50 years before the original version.

***

So, as I sit here writing this, we are in anticipation of the “Dinner for One” ritual later today, as we celebrate the arrival of the New Year with our evening meal of “raclette”.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

EIN FROHES NEUES JAHR!

¡PRÓSPERO AÑO NUEVO!

© The Culture Vulture

Additional material:

Familie Schröder

Norddeutscher Rundfunk

The One Show – BBC1

Wikipedia

Tags: Admiral von Schneider, ARD, BBC, butler, Culture Vulture, Dinner for One, Freddie Frinton, Google, Heinz Piper, James, May Warden, Miss Sophie, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Winterbottom, NDR, Netflix, Same procedure as every year, Sir Toby

JOAN MANUEL SERRAT was and still is “de puta madre" (the dog’s bollocks). I heard his music for the first time in 1971 during my first visit to Spain. I was 21 at the time and he had just released his album "Mediterráneo". It’s an amazing piece of work and I still listen to it regularly more than 50 years on.

Me and Joan Manuel

Since the lyrics and pronunciation of "Mediterraneo" are very clear, when I was a Spanish teacher in the 70s and 80s, I used his songs as a teaching resource in my A-Level classes. In particular La mujer que yo quiero, Tío Alberto, Barquito de papel, as well as Mediterráneo, the title track.

Here is an example of his work from that album, the title track:

Joan Manuel Serrat - YouTube

History

Joan Manuel Serrat i Teresa (born on 27 December 1943) is a Spanish musician, singer and composer. He is considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in both the Spanish and catalán languages.

Serrat became involved with music at the age of 17 when he obtained his first guitar to which he dedicated one of his earliest songs, "Una guitarra".

In 1968, Spain entered Serrat in the Eurovision Song Contest to sing "La, la, la", but he asked to sing it in catalán, to which the Spanish authorities would not agree. This would be the first time he would come into conflict with the language politics of Franco’s Spain, because of his decision to sing in his native catalán language, repressed by the dictator for some 40 years. Defiantly, Serrat refused to sing the Spanish-language version, and was hurriedly replaced by Massiel, who went on to win the contest with her Spanish-language version of the same song.

In 1969, he made his first tour to South America. He released an album containing songs with texts of the Sevilla-born poet Antonio Machado. This album brought him immediate fame in all Spain and Latin America, though, in spite of this, his decision to sing in Spanish was criticised in some catalán nationalist circles.

The release of the  LP "Mediterráneo"  in 1971 consolidated the artist's reputation worldwide.

In late 1974, Serrat was exiled in Mexico. An arrest warrant had been issued in Spain after he criticised the death penalty and the "established and official violence" of the dictatorship of General Franco. As a result Serrat lived in exile for the remainder of the dictatorship, returning to Spain  after the death of Franco in 1975 and Spain's return to democracy.

In 1976, Joan Manuel Serrat was acclaimed for the first time in the United States, while performing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.

Throughout the 80s and 90s Serrat continued to tour and to release new music.

In 2000, the Spanish Association of Authors and Editors (SGAE) awarded him one of ten Medals of the Century.

Serrat revealed in October 2004 that he had been undergoing treatment for cancer of the bladder and in November that year he had to cancel a tour of Latin America and the US in order to undergo surgery in Barcelona, where he still lives.

His signature song "Mediterráneo" was selected as the most important Spanish song of the 20th century.

His recovery was satisfactory, and in 2005 he went on tour again around Spain and Latin America with his lifelong producer and arranger, Ricard Miralles. During the tour Serrat played symphonic versions of his songs with local symphony orchestras.

In 2006, Serrat also released "Mô", his first album completely in catalán in 17 years. The album title refers to the city of Mahon, capital of the Spanish island of Menorca and the origin of mayonnaise, where he likes to get away from it all during long touring seasons.

In 2017 and 2018, he carried out a tour named "Mediterráneo da Capo" to commemorate the 47th anniversary of his mythical record "Mediterráneo".

Joan Manuel Serrat was 79 on 27 December 2022, and he had previously announced that he would cease performing live as he entered his ninth decade. Three days before his birthday he gave his last ever concert in Barcelona. On 3 January 2023 Spanish TV is broadcasting one of his last concerts, played on 14 December in Madrid.

Politics

Apart from his problems with Franco’s regime, he has also criticised the independence movement in Catalonia and the referendum of 1 October 2017, becoming a figurehead for Catalans who prefer to remain within the Spanish Republic. He has also criticised several times the economic corruption of the independentist Catalan government and the national government of Mariano Rajoy, current president Pedro Sánchez’ predecessor as head of the national government. Serrat believes that the 2017 unilateral Catalan Nationalist push for secession and the reaction from the government of Mariano Rajoy served the purpose of "covering up years of cuts and economic corruption" from both the Catalan regional government and Spanish national government. On several occasions some in the independence movement have called for a boycott of the singer-songwriter and his music.

***

As for me, I still love his voice and his music. It was the backdrop to my courtship of the lady who was to become my first wife and the mother of my two children. So a very important landmark in my musical life.

I wanted to go to his concert in Málaga in August 2022, but the ticket prices were through the roof. So I shall tune in to his broadcast concert on TVE1 on 3 January and reminisce.

© The Culture Vulture

Tags: Antonio Machado, Barquito de papel, catalán, Catalonia, Culture Vulture, Eurovision Song Contest, Franco, francoist, General Franco, Joan Manuel Serrat, La La La, La mujer que yo quiero, Mahon, Mariano Rajoy, Massiel, Málaga, mayonnaise, Mediterráneo, Menorca, Mô, Pedro Sánchez, Ricard Miralles, Tío Alberto, TVE1,

By The Culture Vulture

Three remote Spanish communities have been named as among the best villages in the world for tourists – the most entries for a single country.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) list of 32 best places worldwide for small community tourism includes villages in 18 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

For the 2022 awards, a total of 136 villages were put forward for consideration by 57 UNWTO member states (each could nominate up to three villages).

The nominated villages were evaluated by an independent advisory board, according to criteria including culture, natural resources and sustainability – whether economic, social or environmental.

All three of Spain’s nominations were accepted. They were the medieval village of Rupit in Catalunya; Alquézar, in the Sierra de Guara mountains in Aragón; and Guadalupe, famous for its monastery and its black virgin, in the Extremadura region.

Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, said: “We are delighted that the UNWTO has placed Spain as the country with the most appearances in its list. We aim to promote community-led tourism across Spain and are thrilled at the international recognition.”

The other countries receiving awards were: Austria, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethopia, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey and Vietnam.

The accolade recognises rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community values.

“For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive,” said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

“The UNWTO Best Tourism Villages list showcases the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside big cities.”

The awards ceremony will take place in Al’Ula, Saudi Arabia, in February 2023.

Spain should of course be proud of this recognition. As for the three choices, I only know one, Guadalupe. I’ve been there a few times, including just over a year ago.

It is indeed lovely, despite being unashamedly touristy. Whether it would be in my top three villages in Spain, I doubt. But then, my criteria are different to those of the UNWTO.

I adore Aragón and Catalunya, however, so both Alquézar and Rupit are on my To-Visit-List for 2023.

© The Culture Vulture

Source:

The Guardian UK

Tags: Africa, Alquézar, Aragón, Asia, Austria, Catalunya, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethopia, Europe, Extremadura, Georgia, Guadalupe, Israel, Italy, Jordan, London, Manuel Butler, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Rupit, Saudi Arabia, Sierra de Guara, Slovenia, South America, South Korea, Spanish Tourist Office, To-Visit-List, Switzerland, Turkey, United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, Vietnam, world’s best tourist villages, Zurab Pololikashvili

Christine McVie (née Perfect) died yesterday, 30 November 2022, aged 79. Most famous as a member of Fleetwood Mac Mark II, Christine Perfect started her musical career with the British blues group Chicken Shack from 1968-70.

She was the Culture Vulture's first true love. Here are his thoughts on his Perfect woman.

I first heard Christine Perfect around 1968/9 when I saw the blues group Chicken Shack perform live somewhere in Manchester when I was 18 or 19. Of course, I fell in love with her immediately. She was young, around 25, blonde and sexy. Perfect, in fact. I was especially attracted to her husky blues voice and her consummate piano playing.

She was a ground breaker in many ways at that time, being a female lead vocalist in a male blues group and a talented composer to boot.

She married John McVie of the Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac in 1968 and joined the band in 1970 when Green left after a massive drugs bender which ruined his life and career.

Fleetwood Mac moved to the USA in 1974 and after Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined the three Brits, Mr and Mrs McVie and Mick Fleetwood, this “new” reincarnation of Fleetwood Mac went on to huge commercial success. Their most successful album was “Rumours” (1977) which has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Christine McVie tired of touring and the constant disagreements, affairs and break-ups in the group and retired back to England for about 16 years. However, she did rejoin the band in 2014 to record a final album and for one more tour.

A prolific song-writer she either wrote or co-wrote some of FM’s most famous songs, including "Over My Head", "Say You Love Me", “Don’t Stop!” and “Songbird”.

Another song sung by her, a cover of an Etta James track, which dates back to her days with Chicken Shack, is “I’d Rather Go Blind”. You can listen to it here.

RIP Christine McVie. You were Perfect.

©  The Culture Vulture

Tags: blues, Chicken Shack, Christine Perfect, Culture Vulture, Don't Stop, Etta James, Fleetwood Mac, I'd Rather Go Blind, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Over My Head, Peter Green, Rumours, Say You Love Me, Songbird, Stevie Nicks