Der 90. Geburtstag oder Dinner for One

This little short comedy is an annual tradition in my family. Every year on new year's eve, it's shown on Danish television. I don't think there's been a new year's eve in my life where I haven't seen it. Even though I've seen it so many times, and my family must have seen it far more times, we've never gotten tired of it. The laughs fill the room, and everyone is sitting in anticipation and with the laughs just below the surface for the whole thing... except when we're roaring with laughter, which is most of the duration. I don't believe there is anything that has a greater or even equal ratio of laughs to seconds passed than this little sketch. Here in Denmark, it's only 14 minutes long, and I don't think there is ever more than just 5 seconds in a row without a laugh or two. The comedy is universal... I don't know anyone who doesn't find it funny. Plot, pacing, acting and characters are all top-notch. I doubt there will ever be a new year's eve where I don't see this. I look forward to seeing it more so than the actual celebration of new year's. I can't really say anything more... words don't do it justice. If you have a chance, see it. Chances are you'll enjoy it. I have yet to meet one single person who doesn't. 10/10

It has always astonished me that it is the Germans, not noted for their international sense of humour,who have kept this quite wonderful skit alive. Danke Deutschland! It is superb. 10 out of 10 any day. However beware, there is a video /dvd about that claims to come from Switzerland that is cut to ribbons - only 11 minutes (out of the original 18) and is of quite dreadful quality. Avoid this like the plague. Catch it on your TV at Christmas if you can. You get the full works and the very good introduction by Herr Piper. We even get it here in Australia now. It is a real gem.

Even here in Australia one is not spared the ritual of "Dinner for One".

For many years SBS (the multi language public broadcaster here) has shown "Dinner for One" on New Year's Eve.

The version that is shown is the 1963 German TV version with English subtitles for the German introduction. (Although for some reason they have edited out the Heinz Piper's German explanation of the English dialogue!)

It remains a simple pleasure to be savoured each year!

This short comedy is an unforgettable classic. A solid element in every new years eve celebrated in Denmark. One year, DR (national danish TV broadcast station) decided not to air it, but the next day, they were telestormed by viewers. DR hasn't skipped it once since, and unless the television is phased out, I can bet you that "Dinner for one" is here to stay for many years to come.

when i was 2 and a half, my family moved to dusseldorf in germany while my dad worked in immigration. we moved back to england when i was six. i'm now nearly 15 and, thanks to satellite, watch 'dinner for one' every year. last year we watched it four times on four different german channels!

if (that's a big 'if') we miss it, we have a video of it that we watch later on. the sheer genius involved in this sketch is unrivalled even by the great monty python team. i talk about it all the time to me ill-educated friends, and my entire family joke about it all the time. i admit that the rest of britain has probably never even heard of 'dinner for one', but i must say that this is their loss. i am even considering writing to the BBC (british broadcasting corporation) and persuading them to air it on new years eve this year.

without a doubt i will be showing this to my family when i grow up, and i am certain that they will find it as entertaining as i do.

long live miss sophie, james, mr pommeroy, admiral von schneider, sir toby and mr winterbottom. same procedure as last year, ma'am?