At first, the program was only used as a filler on German TV. It was shown four times between 1963 and 1972 before it finally got its now famous regular airing on New Years Eve in 1972. It is so popular in Germany that it is shown multiple times on New Years Eve so that everybody can watch it, when it best fits their schedule. In 2003 it aired a total of 19 times on different stations in Germany.
This owns the Guinness Book of Records entry for one single show with the most reruns.
The infamous tiger which the butler stumbles over several times wasn't originally in the sketch. It was added by request of a local mayor in a town the show was being played in. When Freddie Frinton stumbled over it by accident during a show it produced such a laughter among the audience that they decided to keep the tiger and make it a part of the show.
Banned in Sweden until 1969 due to the massive alcohol consumption.
Total glasses of liquor drunk by James throughout the evening: 18 (not counting the final sip from a flower vase, upon which he mutters "I'll kill that cat!").