A question for my German friends...

[dizzojay]

Mr D found this little article on the BBC website today, and it's about a German new year obsession with a very short, obscure English/German film.  It's not something either of us have ever heard of and it seems like a really cute, fun little story.

We were just curious about how much truth there is in the story, (I mean, this is the internet after all!)  So I thought I'd ask the people really in the know!  Is this something any of you are aware of, or that you take part in?  I'd love to know :)

Comments

[antrazi.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely true, it's a tradition to see the sketch and it runs on a few networks on different timeslots on new years eve every year. Since I don't have normal tv anymore I actually watched it online to get my mandatory fix.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Oh, brilliant. I was just so curious when I read that article, so much so that Mr D and I found the film on Youtube and watched it - it's hilarious; slapstick comedy at its finest! :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ask Christine Schmidt!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I should, she knows all sorts of popular culture stuff. Although, all my answers so far seem to indicate a unanimous yes!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I think it was Christine who first told me about it - but it might have been herminekurotowa. Whatever, it's a mystery how something so ancient and so bad became so famous over there when most Brits have never heard of it!

[sandy79.livejournal.com]

Jane, it's not only a German obsession - as long as I can remember (and that's almost 40 years back), "Dinner For One" is part of my local TV station's New Year's Eve schedule, usually at some point between 10 p.m. and midnight. I've watched in a few times in the past, but (also) usually, there's always something else on as well ;) But it's sooo funny nonetheless, and it was pretty much the first thing I've ever heard in English (since both actors were from the UK).

(Belated) Happy New Year to you and Mr. D!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

What a lovely little tradition! We were so curious when we read the rticle that we ended up finding the filmm on youtube and watching it - it was hilarious!
Slapstick comedy par excellence! :D

[stellamira]

Yes, this is very much a thing, and watcthing it on New Year's Eve is a tradition that I also take part in. All so-called "third" tv channels (stemming from the times when we only had three channels: two national ones and a third, regional one) show it at least once that day. By now there are also numerous reenactments in local dialects that are also shown.
I think the BBC exaggerated the popularity of the catchphrase a bit - I have never heard anyone use it for a toast - but if it comes up, most people will know where it comes from, even the ones who don't usually watch the sketch.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

That's great, what a fun tradition!
And Mr D and I found the film on Youtube and watched it - it was hilarious :D

[herminekurotowa.livejournal.com]

Yep, true.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant - what fun!