The show was commissioned by Lew Grade for ATV to be broadcast in the UK and Martin Starger for ABC to be shown in the USA simultaneously. At that time, three series/seasons were ordered for the cost of 9 million pounds. Because American television used a different line format from UK TV, every element of the show had to be shot twice. Once for British use and once for American.
Tom Jones's favourite part of the show was the 'Concert Spot' that usually closed the show, in which he and his band would perform two or three songs in front of a studio audience.
In his 2015 autobiography "Over the Top and Back Again", Tom Jones reveals the producers set him up with a speech and drama coach, which he did not enjoy.
Each show took 6 days to shoot. The first batch of shows was shot at Elstree studios in England. American guests were flown over first class and stayed at the Claridge of the Dorchester hotel in London. Later, the production moved to Los Angeles to record a second set of shows.
On one occasion, Tom Jones was going to sing "Passing Strangers" with Nancy Wilson, but the American censor pointed out that the title implied that the singers had once been lovers, which would be unacceptable in certain American states.