Began as a regular spoof in the magazine Private Eye, before being turned into a successful stage musical by Joan Littlewood. Most of the cast of the musical transferred to this television version.
The Mrs. Wilson of the title, Mary Wilson, was always referred to in the original magazine spoofs as Gladys, her real first name.
Originally scheduled for broadcast on November 23, 1968, it was delayed for the re-recording of a controversial scene which involved the characterization of the former Foreign Secretary, Mr. George Brown.
Mrs Mary Wilson was the name of the wife of the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, so this production rattled the cages of the establishment and changes had to be made before it was allowed to be transmitted, including the removal and replacement of a drunk as a skunk scene with the character George Brown who had similarities with the then foreign secretary George Brown.