I suppose every country has its own favorite holiday shows during the Christmas / New Year holidays. And here is one that the Nordic countries adore!
Written by Lauri Wylie and starring Freddie Frinton and May Warden, the film is called Dinner For One in English and is known by other names in other countries. However, I was very surprised to discover that this British comedy sketch is a huge hit in the Nordic countries (as well as others) — but is almost unknown and hardly ever seen in the UK!
The film has become the most frequently repeated TV programme ever, according to the Guinness Book of Records, 1988-1995. Later editions of the book no longer include the category.
Here is a shortened version of the sketch, filmed in Switzerland. The full 18 minute English-language version with German language introduction can be seen on Google videos.
Norway shows the film the earliest in the season, traditionally on 23 December, also known as "Lille Juleaften (Little Christmas Eve)". It is a New Year's Eve favorite in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.
If you want to make someone in the Nordic countries laugh — just through in the phrase “Same procedure as every year” at the appropriate moment. It should make people smile.
