I was intrigued to learn today (h/t Omnium) that an obscure English sketch was (a) one of the first pieces ever recorded to videotape by German television and is (b) an intrinsic part of the New Year's Eve tradition in the German-speaking world. According to Wikipedia;
The 18 minute single take black-and-white 1963 TV recording featuring British comedians Freddie Frinton and May Warden has become an integral component of the New Year's Eve schedule of several German television stations.
It is always played in the original English, has not been broadcast in England for 30 years and yet is seen by half the population of Germany each year. This year, apparently, it can be seen at 12 different times today on various channels. It seems the Germans do have a sense of humour and that – oddly – it used to be ours.
The full version, with German introduction, can be seen here. The main English course can be seen below. What a strange kind of immortality for long-forgotten (in his own country) Freddie Frinton.
A happy new year to all my readers. Here's hoping for a peaceful, prosperous and successful 2010 for all. And to our weirdly-humoured German friends, Einen guten Rutsch!
The Last Ditch by Tom Paine 
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