Paul McCartney agreed to star in a television special for the British ATV company to settle his two-year legal dispute with Sir Lew Grade.

[1][2] As the owner of the network and its music publishing division, and, by extension, the Beatles' Northern Songs catalogue,[3] Grade had objected to McCartney crediting his wife Linda as his co-writer since 1971, citing her lack of professional experience as a songwriter and musician.

[9] ATV hired Gary Smith as the producer and Dwight Hemion as the director, although McCartney was assured full creative control over the programme's content.

"[17] Referring to the former Beatle's return to television, Alan Coren of The Times wrote: "[James Paul McCartney] was not the sort of programme you make a come-back with.

[19] Robert Rodriguez writes that, in its attempts to present McCartney as all-round entertainer, the show embarrassed and alienated his rock audience, and that even the in-concert segment was lacklustre.