Dinner for one oder der 90. Geburtstag von Miss Sophie Reaction!

[@BennoWitter]

The two English sentences every German knows, whether they speak English or not: "The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?" - "The same procedure as every year, James!". The funny thing is, that even though it's from the UK, nobody over there has ever heard of this thing.

[@ChrisEchoes]

There is a reason for that and that is was recorded for a German tv station, not for a U.K. station.

[@roterrettich3680]

@@ChrisEchoes I now declare this bazar open? Cant be this line 😁

[@Red80008]

...until 2018.

[@magnuslundin5784]

@@ChrisEchoes Here in Sweden, it's been aired on public service on every New Years' Eve for 52 years straight.

[@mettesrensen6116]

In Denmark it´s played every year New Years evening 23.40

[@nondesperado]

It’s on air in Danish national tv every new year’s eve. In 1986, I believe, they decided not to air it, and the viewers went ballistic. Since then they haven’t dared not to broadcast it.

[@baronbrummbar8691]

in germany in 1986 it ran on every single chanel atleast once .... we have for every region atleast one translation

[@jonestrm252]

In Norway it's shown every December 23 at 9 pm. The one year they changed schedule, they were swamped with complaints from viewers who missed it that year

[@stoneold]

In Germany this is a must watch on every New Year's Eve. It runs on almost every channel.

[@Druwuwho1337]

Im pretty sure this is watched in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway and Estonia around new years eve, aparently the 23th of December for Norway. Iv watched this every year since I was a wee Potato in Denmark, and it never gets old !

[@vivicastratmann6268]

My horse is simply called Mister Winterbottom and his sister Miss Sophie. 😂

[@eaakerman8829]

Cute

[@marianneeggen3256]

I freaking LOVE this one! Here in Norway, we typically watch this on Dec 23rd, kinda like "the night before Christmas" (we celebrate the 24th.) It's a HUGE tradition for us.

[@KrisThroughGlass]

That's interesting. I thought this was only a German tradition for some weird, unknown reason. You might could call it one of the first videos that went viral internationally then, right?!

[@annachristinanotyet4678]

​@@KrisThroughGlass Same. The ironiy is that most English speaking countries don't know / didn't know off this for the longest time. =) Now, with the Internet I am sure more and more people are aware. It is pretty much known as German New Years Eve tradtion, funny it ended up as a pre-Christmas thing not that far away. @Marianne Eggen

[@ruudvanwuyckhuise6519]

And oh yes, we here in The Netherlands do the same. In Germany there are two must watch films. This one, "Dinner for two" and "Little Lord fauntleroy" Even after seeing them every year you can't resisist to smile.

[@evagronlund1786]

Oh yeah every new year's since my childhood I would watch this with my mom. A lot of nostalgia.

[@Balleehuuu]

The one shown on german TV every year has a very contacious laughter in it, a little explaination in the beginning and has an overall slower and better matching pace. These things, the joke about gettin' drunk and the expression "same procedure as every year" makes it perfect for new years eve - especially if you are in a group of slightly tipsy people.

[@linmonash1244]

Lovey old slapstick. The way they build the anticipation of the trip and then switch it up is pure comic genius. Never tire of this one.😆👋👋👋

[@HighlyCombustibleReacts]

Classic

[@ronnyseffinga7950]

thx for the shout outs,the reaction, and the fact that i phps. managed to create a new Highlys family tradition for the newyears eve. in Thailand.... pls stay safe and grts. from a dutch cheesehead, living in Sjermanie ....

[@landibear6509]

It's a tradition here in South Africa too. It is comedy gold!

[@clifffan3]

I have seen this so many times and stil my tears running over my face.

[@aliciamusiclover7810]

There are two versions, one Swiss version which you see here and a bit longer German version with some added things like petting the tiger on the head, asking "Must I, Miss Sophie" before Freddie Frinton claps the heels together and the table cloth on the table etc. ( I am German and I now realized the slightly different versions for the first time and understood it after I looked for the reason for my confusion )

[@lameaker]

German television also broadcasts this every year. They generally work with dubbing. In this case, the viewer is only given a little bit of preliminary information, just like you are now. This is of such quality that no words are needed. With us, this is a must before a new year can begin.

[@aeschynanthus_sp]

This is also shown in Finland on every New Year's Eve.

[@MarthaSpherical]

😂😂 hadn't seen this in years ... oh mannnn laughed so hard 😂 fantastic to see again, thanks Ronny 👍😃

[@vlinder6329]

Dinner for ONE, the Classic on New Year's Eve. Miss Sophie is now ninety, and all four of her Friends have passed away. Miss Sophie, however, sees no reason to break with tradition. Well you can guess the rest. This is Hilarious😅 Thanx 💛✌

[@thomaskurschner2949]

This is a German New Year's Eve tradition, it is shown on almost all public programs. Everyone, really every German knows it. Nobody really knows exactly how it came about. The fact is, it's an English play that hardly anyone in England knows and was never very popular there. Then the two actors came to Germany with it, although he didn't want to. He thought that after the Second World War the Germans wouldn't laugh at English humor. Then, in a roundabout way, this legendary TV recording was made and the rest is history. 😁 I can't imagine New Year's Eve without Dinner for One 🤣 Happy New Year 2024 ❤️

[@suzettebakelaar]

This clip never gets old. I love it, Ronny thanks for the memories and Mr. H for the reaction!!

[@ronnie7075]

This show is also very popular in Australia. We always look out for it. Like a tradition. So glad you enjoyed it.

[@jenny-ye2ty]

Epic!! Same here!! We always watched this at home, my father would always search on the BBC so we could watch it!! Now I watch it with my husband 👏🏻😁👍🏻, and still laughing 😂😂

[@emmap1250]

Hilarious. Always on New Years eve, every year!

[@00Jess_M]

Definitely our best tradition. Even loved it as a child, although I didn't understand much. But it works without any words. 😁 Thanks to Ronny for the request! It was weird to watch it on a different day than new years eve, but so much fun to see someone watching it for the first time. 😂 Never met somebody here in Germany who didn't already know it, so I never had that pleasure. I watched this so many times in my life, but for some reason I always forget how it ends.

[@silviek5773]

Ahhh memories… same tradition watching it every year🤣

[@cobihuijgen3971]

it is still a tradition, you can see it every year at the German television.

[@darkredvan]

I am 66 now. I have watched it since it was first aired in 1972, never missed one year for 50 years. And yes, I will continue to do so. I will happily stay true to the motto: „Same procedure as last year? Same procedure as every year.

[@baronbrummbar8691]

it was first aired in 1963 .... but back then it was run in spring

[@darkredvan]

@@baronbrummbar8691 .. with our NRW 3. program WDR. I should have stated it correctly, 👍

[@petergibson2318]

The woman playing Miss Sophie was laughing all the way through it. Part of the charm of the sketch. She was probably thinking .."This crazy sketch will be forgotten by tomorrow."

[@Ash89NL]

I have never seen this before. Thank you Ronny for request this. I love it 🤣 it's hilarious 🤣🤣

[@bjoardar]

Aaaw, you missed what he said after he drank from the flower pot. It's my favorite line of the whole skit, "I'll kill that cat" xD

[@horstschafer1839]

I'm so glad that a few younger people still can lough about this. It's a great kind of routine at New Years Eve to watch this also in Switzerland and Austria, where I'm from btw..

[@Piia2023]

Tradition watching this on New Years eve...every year...🥂 everytime sooo good. :)

[@plangevoort]

I really love this piece. I watched it like a 100 times and never get bored. Always watched it with my grandparents. Lovely time it was.

[@Doaria]

Hilarious, Thanks Ronny for the request, good memories. Enjoyd your laugh Highly 🤣🤣

[@pleasesunrise8189]

Such an impressive performance by Freddie Frinton, the butler, considering that he was a teetotal his whole life.😄 In Norway, the show was aired 15 minutes early on December 23 in 1992, and the resulting audience uproar caused it to be re-broadcast later that night.

[@quarrelsound]

Moin. Watching it for around 50 years every New years eve. 😂

[@GryLi]

Aires every year in Denmark new years eve, I love it

[@carro-xb9oz]

watch it every year this is a masterpiece

[@mekannasfj508]

Watching you laugh made the whole thing even better. Loved this video! :)

[@marcha.m]

O yes, it was absolutely tradition to watch this every New Year's Eve. Thanks so much Ronny, even though I've seen it I don't know how many times, even now I couldn't stop laughing. (BTW: Joop Doderer gave a great interpretation in the Dutch version.)

[@profiler4772]

I saw this some 6o years ago on Dutch television also around New Year. It is really very funny and I like the tradition of seeing it every year.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

We also watch this too. It belongs to New Year's Eve. First time I saw it I was on the floor, lol.

[@anbs2476]

Thank you so much for this reaction!! As a german I've watched this clip for some decades every Silvester but I really enjoyed your hilarious response so really much! By the way, this is not the video we germans watch every year but the swiss version. The german version is better in my opinion because of some minor differences and the really funny laughs from the audience. Thank you and a happy new year in advance 😊

[@ronnyseffinga7950]

msg. from my German wife Anke...... hallo Highly, danke fuer diese reaction, haette nie gedacht das jemand auf dieser Planeten es noch nicht gesehen hat, habe mich köstlich amusiert !!! ..... translation ..hello Highly, never thought there is someone on this planet that didnt saw it jet.... i had a lot of pleasure watching it !!!

[@BommeltjeNL]

Ha, I've seen this 53 times since my 10th year. Even in Holland it's mandatory on each new year's day 🍺😂👍

[@stephanjulich8094]

For me personally, it is an absolute tradition to watch this clip on TV and smoke a cigar afterwards. (The clip is shown every year on New Year's Eve.) Do you believe that this clip was made in one shot? (The producer says yes) My brother-in-law and I have already tried to drink the same drinks in the same amount and for the same amount of time as James did that evening. Neither of us were any use for the last "procedure" of the evening. My respect to the butler

[@Destiny975_Hollow-Finkelhuben]

Just the same glorious procedure as every year James 🎉✌🏻🎇🎆🥳 guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr

[@olo5631]

Hallo, seit vielen Jahren ... ca. 40 Jahre (anfangs noch mit Schwar-Weiß-Fernseher) schauen wir immer am Silvesterabend "Dinner for one". Es ist die Tradition. Bei unseren Kindern und Enkelkinder gehört es auch zum Silvesterritual. F.G. aus Germany. 🍀

[@katb.78]

Best Dinner for One reaction I've seen! 😂

[@tuproc61]

Your reaction is priceless, this is indeed a comic act to laugh. I now it already as long as i can remember but in a Dutch version.

[@catiejanb2587]

a comedy that is both timeless and universal.

[@tigerlily-jf6bg]

We watch this in Norway as well, but not on New Years Eve, we watch it the day before Christmas Eve.😂

[@gertmueller5550]

Black and White. Without computer greenscreen and special affect. Greta performance! Real high class acting

[@andreasrister2853]

I‘ve Seen this since the end of the 60s every New years eve, more than 50 years. Its ageless.

[@sunnysidesofblue]

I love seeing new people discover this absolute gem! XD

[@Olsen01]

I have watcing this for my hole life...I am 55 and still wacthing every newyrears day...Tradition my friend..

[@minatonamikaze1045]

There are several versions of these sketches, this one is called the Swiss version because it was filmed in Switzerland, there are slight differences between the German TV version and the Swiss version, for example, the Swiss version is slightly longer and there are differences in the stage decoration

[@Anson_AKB]

the german version (which was done by station NDR) is longer, and imho has better video quality, a better stage, some additional details, and a short intro in german that explains what you read in the beginning. but since they are more strict with copyright, you only find this swiss version on youtube. if you aren't geoblocked, you can find the NDR version on their own mediathek webpage. btw: when they once tried to show a colorated version in germany, the reaction was "not so nice" and since then they only once showed it as a "rarity", while the NDR version is shown a dozen times each year (there are 9 stations, combined being the ARD). in addition, there are many remakes in regional dialects or with other variations. ps: this sketch was known in the UK too, but only as a stage performance, until it was discovered two decades later by some people from NDR.

[@arendgerritsen5681]

Every year on tv here, watching!!!

[@Chris_GY1]

Freddie Frinton who plays the butler is from my hometown of Grimsby North East Lincolnshire.

[@henrikhaas6980]

Here, in Bavaria, we watch another version of the sketch, where James asks - before salutating as Admiral Schneider - "Must I?" - "Just to please me, James" It's an important element in this version here, that's missing, as it represents the love and respect between Miss Sophie and Butler James

[@eventyraren]

This is broadcast every New Year's Eve at 7:45 p.m here in Sweden.

[@PikovajaDama]

In the version that is most commonly circulating in Germany during New Year's Eve, there is this litte addition that he is not really fond of having to do Admiral von Schneider's painful heel thingy and asks Miss Sophie if he really must do it this time, but she insists he does it.

[@Bigfarmer8]

Yep, can't start a new year without it!

[@Thunder_1977]

Here in Germany, there are also many versions in local dialect with modern comedians. There is also a version with Bernd of the popular kid‘s TV show „Bernd das Brot“ , of course without alcohol but he accidentally sets the set on fire in the end 😂

[@leylaevans9116]

watched on tv as a kid in uk, a statue of freddie in grimsby where he was born.

[@robertjonsson5750]

This classic are on TV every new years eve in Sweden.

[@Raven-NLD]

Its epic watch every year at new years for over 40 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fenrisulfur842]

every new years eve, for over 5 decades, this will be broadcasted on EVERY Public TV Channel in Germany! Its a tradition, people have parties to reenact the dinner! or even have drinking parties :P For some reason, the original show was not a hit in the UK back then, but in Germany

[@natasjavanderhoek6966]

🤣. Always big fun to watch. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱🌷

[@Alsterhausrot]

I watch Diner For One every year and still laugh, that sketch is just timeless. Thank you for your response to this. Greetings from Hamburg Germany. Ich schaue mir jedes Jahr Diner For One an und lache immer noch, dieser Sketch ist einfach zeitlos. Vielen Dank für Ihre Antwort hierauf. Grüße aus Hamburg Deutschland

[@christinajensen8058]

In Denmark we watch it long after the Kings Newyears adress..20 min to twelve..on the national brodcast service...two minuts to twelve..over when our national choir sings and the city hall clock strikes twelve..

[@christinajensen8058]

The national choir sings our national song and the King song...

[@biancawichard2421]

i must have seen this more than 50 times but every time the tears run down my face from laughing. since i see it once a year some details are new every time.

[@stevetheduck1425]

This is wonderful comedy. This old Englishman has never seen it! Have heard that it was re-made with Ronnie Barker being the butler, but I do know that Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett did several similar sketches on their show 'The Two Ronnies' in the 1960s and 1970s. There's one about a butler listening to the dinner conversation and delivering food with the words 'Your crackers, Sir' or 'Your nuts, Sir', as well as several ruder ones implied but not said, ending with the butler leaving with the Lord's wife on his arm.

[@Dumbledork_Prime]

Been watching it every year for over 40 years now, but it took me a long time to understand what James meant at the end when he says "I'll try my very best"

[@reshopheda4616]

As a 23 year old german i can say...i NEVER had a New year without this...And i am still laughing

[@fabianbianchi9159]

This is indeed not the version broadcasted in Germany (produced by NDR). When he is Admiral Don Schneider for example, in the German version he always begs if he could skip clicking his heels together, of course declined by Miss Sophie. This must be a version recorded for a channell in another company or direct from an English Theater.

[@Michael_from_EU_Germany]

1. Admiral von Schneider. 2. It's the other one taped for Swiss TV.

[@TheJolanda01]

I have watch this so manny times and stil laughing my ass of

[@d.s.2706]

Fun fact about the audience: there's a lady laughing hysterically in the background. She surppressed her laughter, hoping for the next punchline where she could just let it out. In an interview she said she was sitting there, cry-laughing, trying NOT to sound totally insane 😂😂😂. Love this...

[@kellyvandijk3269]

I saw this the first time when I was 8. I watch this every year…I’m 64 now.

[@sandrohunger2497]

A Classic in Germany to new years eve❤my English Friends say 's i dont know 😂but now they Love it😂❤

[@sandrohunger2497]

Thanks for little ❤️

[@yourmaninlondoncollecting5749]

This SHOULD be a staple in the USA as it is in several countries in the world. Sweden,Norway and Gernany among them. A Classic for all ages. 😃👍 Thanks for Reacting 😁

[@michaelorsi785]

On every channel every year since 1972 here in germany! Just a piece of art!

[@silviahannak3213]

You ve missed it when he was drinking directly from the bottle before he jumped over the Tigers Head.

[@bertkassing8541]

This act was already on Dutch TV in my youth. I'm 62 now, so long, long, long ago. There is also a Dutch version of it.

[@manuelplate6370]

"The Dinner" was in Guinness Book of World records in 1988.

[@jorgbecker5028]

It's the swiss version 😔 The german version is a lot better 😕 Edit: (Not so-) Fun fact: Freddie Frinton ('James') died only a few years after the recording. He hated Germany from the depth of his heart so he would hate the thought of being completely forgotten in the UK but Germany still loves him.

[@helena19741]

I always watched this with my grandfather1 Thank you!

[@tweety77hf]

It was so much fun to see your reactions and you laughed so much like us. We started to watch without understanding any english word and so much fun. Later we understood more and more. No new year start without Dinner for one for a German.

[@ilka_85]

Greetings from Germany. I don't know since when, I think since 60s or 70s or earlier... I don't know but in germany it's tradition that the german TV shows this show every year on Sylvester and not in one program but in many programs. All German people know this show. It's a traditional family show I think. For me it is.

[@glennlennartsson4887]

Every newyears eve here in sweden they showing it

[@DELTA_BRAVO_82_GER]

@Highly Combustible Reacts I strongly recommend you the original version from the NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk) because what you've watched here, is the shorter swiss version. In the german version which is also in english are more gags.

[@annemieverhoeven2566]

Hey Fish needs to swim , right🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@palantir135]

Many people in the province of Limburg, southeast of the Netherlands, know this video very well and have seen it several to many times.

[@1987MartinT]

How the Hell did he survive drinking that much?! He must have a liver of steel! I'm surprised he was still able to hit his mouth with the cup at the end. And if he can get it up after pouring so much onboard then I'm impressed.

[@Pilutta100]

Every year in Sweden also, grew up on this shit😂 Have an awesome 2025.

[@biancarichling789]

There are a lot of different versions of this, recreated by german comedians for example. Even the german Kids TV channel 'KIKA' made an own version called 'Dinner für Brot'.

[@juwen7908]

If you're in Germany someday, you can say "The same procedure as every year" everytime to everybody and they all will know what you're meaning and where it is from. Because, I would say at least 80% of all germans watch this every new years eve, many of them more then one time at this day. But the next time you watch this, try to find the german version. This was the swiss one. The german one is about 17 min, because there is an introduction, and the camera isn't moving, which I prefer. I don't even know, until this year, that there is a different version and I don't understand why? Maybe people from switzerland have an explanation? Greetings from Berlin 😎

[@baronbrummbar8691]

ther are artleast 50 german versions as every region has atleast one in ther local dialect and in high german ther are also atleast 5

[@anne-mariesindruprix4792]

@@baronbrummbar8691 that is ridiculous - why not make German subtexts- - and hear the wonderful performances ??

[@baronbrummbar8691]

@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 most of the performances are REALLY good ..... and why not ... why let people not enjoy this masterpiece in ther language

[@anne-mariesindruprix4792]

@@baronbrummbar8691 I'm danish - and everything foreign has subtexts - in that way it is possible to enjoy the actor's total work - - the voice is part of an actors work/performance. And the audience learn foreign languages -

[@baronbrummbar8691]

@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 if you watch it EVERY SINGLE year atleast once it is ok if you have diffrent versions and hear and then hear translated once

[@joannewink7101]

Love this, the dutch versie is also very funny. 😆

[@petergibson2318]

Strange fact: Nobody in the UK or America has ever heard of that sketch.

[@ThomasKnip]

Now you may understand why this is a hilarious German New Year's Eye tradition. 😄

[@chheinrich8486]

Everyone in europe watches it on New years eve except the british