On the Buses

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 1969-02-28

Last Air Date: 1973-05-20

Number of Seasons: 7

Number of Episodes: 74

Networks: ITV1, London Weekend Television

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Reg Varney as Stan Butler
Bob Grant as Jack Harper
Stephen Lewis as Inspector Cyril 'Blakey' Blake
Anna Karen as Olive Rudge
Doris Hare as Mum
Michael Robbins as Arthur Rudge
Cicely Courtneidge as Mum
Michael Sheard as N/A
Terry Duggan as Irate Passenger
John Lyons as N/A

Seasons

Series 1 (1969) - (7 Episodes)

Series 2 (1969) - (6 Episodes)

Series 3 (1970) - (13 Episodes)

Series 4 (1970) - (13 Episodes)

Series 5 (1971) - (15 Episodes)

Series 6 (1972) - (7 Episodes)

Series 7 (1973) - (13 Episodes)

Series 1 (1969)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: The Early Shift (1969-02-28)

The 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.
Ep. 2: The New Conductor (1969-03-07)

When 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?
Ep. 3: Olive Takes a Trip (aka Olive's First Day) (1969-03-14)

To 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!
Ep. 4: Bus Driver's Stomach (1969-03-21)

Sitting 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!
Ep. 5: The New Inspector (1969-03-28)

Stan 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.
Ep. 6: The Canteen (1969-04-04)

After complaints are made about it, the bus crews decide to take over the running of the canteen and make Olive the new cook.
Ep. 7: The Darts Match (1969-04-11)

Stan 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!