Unlike the previous special, Bob Monkhouse Meets Joan Rivers (1985), the title of the programme wasn't changed onscreen for this edition, only in TV listings.
The basic format of each episode would mix British comedians with comedians from the other side of the Atlantic, with American (or, occasionally, Canadian) guests. This is just one of two episodes, along with Episode #2.7 (1985), to have an all-British cast.
(Episode #3.9 (1986) featured only the New Zealander Pamela Stephenson as a non-British guest, a performer who was essentially regarded as a "home grown talent" due to her role in shows like Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979).)
(Episode #3.9 (1986) featured only the New Zealander Pamela Stephenson as a non-British guest, a performer who was essentially regarded as a "home grown talent" due to her role in shows like Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979).)
Watched by 4.15 million viewers, this Max Bygraves special was the eighth most popular programme on BBC2 that week, but didn't make the national Top 100.
However, the BBC1 repeat on 9th August, while receiving marginally less viewers at 4.05 million, was able to make 85th place on the UK charts.
However, the BBC1 repeat on 9th August, while receiving marginally less viewers at 4.05 million, was able to make 85th place on the UK charts.
The average audience for the BBC1 repeats of the third series was 6.07 million and 49th place in the national charts. (This is without including the two new episodes which ran before the repeat screenings, and were exclusive to BBC1.)