The title derived from a notice screened during the 1950s and 1960s whenever the signal went, which was a lot. It was thought it would gain the show free publicity.
This was intended as a children's television show.
Sir David Jason felt a little intimidated by Eric Idle, Sir Michael Palin, and Terry Jones upon first meeting them. In his autobiography, he described them as "a bit posh. Absolutely sure of themselves in a way I could never have imagined being in those days. They were highly educated, very articulate and quite experienced. They were very chummy with each other and a bit cliquey." However, he described Palin as "the one that seemed the nicest, the most talented, and there was less of a boundary with him". But when it came to socializing with them and Terry Gilliam, he felt he fit in like a "pork chop in a Jewish salad".