Series
On the Buses
Comedy
On the Buses is a British comedy series created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, broadcast in the United Kingdom from 1969 to 1973. The writers' previous successes with The Rag Trade and Meet the Wife were for the BBC, but the corporation rejected On the Buses, not seeing much comedy potential in a bus depot as a setting. The comedy partnership turned to a friend, Frank Muir, Head of Entertainment at London Weekend Television, who loved the idea; the show was accepted and despite a poor critical reception became a hit with viewers.
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Seasons & episodes
S1 · 7 epS2 · 6 epS3 · 13 epS4 · 13 epS5 · 15 epS6 · 7 epS7 · 13 ep
1The Early Shift28 Feb 1969 · 30m · ★ 5.5The bus crews go on strike because of disagreements with the management. It causes no end of trouble at work and at home. Stan is hailed hero of the day.
2The New Conductor7 Mar 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0When Stan sees his new clippie Iris all his nervousness goes, and they end up on a date together. He tells mum he is working an extra shift so he can take Iris out. What will Arthur and Mum think when he takes her home after the pub?
3Olive Takes a Trip (aka Olive's First Day)14 Mar 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0To help with the family income, Olive gets a job as a clippie. She gets put on Stan's bus, against his wishes. The trouble is Olive does not travel well!
4Bus Driver's Stomach21 Mar 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0Sitting on the bus engine all day has given Stan an over acidic stomach, known at the depot as 'bus drivers stomach'. When Blakey announces medical checks for the staff, Stan has to try and get himself fit to pass the medical, even if it means giving up greasy fried food!
5The New Inspector28 Mar 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0Stan is in need of some extra cash, so he applies for a position as an Inspector, but soon starts to worry about what the other lads will think of him.
6The Canteen4 Apr 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0After complaints are made about it, the bus crews decide to take over the running of the canteen and make Olive the new cook.
7The Darts Match11 Apr 1969 · 30m · ★ 7.0Stan and Jack are challenged to a darts match by two clippies, Iris and Jenny. Stan feels he's a bit out of practice and so spends all his spare time practicing his darts playing. When he drops one of his darts in Olive's stew, he has to use a new set which he is not used to. His darts playing has the added problem of Iris' flirting during the match!
Details
- First aired
- 28 Feb 1969
- Last aired
- 20 May 1973
- Status
- Ended
- Language
- English
- Network
- ITV1, London Weekend Television
- Episodes
- 74
- Votes
- 32 on TMDB
Cast
Reg VarneyStan Butler
Bob GrantJack Harper
Stephen LewisInspector Cyril 'Blakey' Blake
Doris HareMum
Anna KarenOlive Rudge
