On The Buses

Watch On The Buses

  • 1969
  • 7 Seasons
  • 7.0  (2,703)

On The Buses is a British sitcom that aired on ITV from 1969 to 1973. The show is set in the fictitious Luxton bus depot in London and follows the lives of the bus drivers and conductors who work there. The show stars Reg Varney as Stan Butler, a driver who is constantly trying to avoid working and get his hands on some extra cash. Bob Grant plays Jack Harper, Stan's best friend and conductor, who often gets caught up in Stan's schemes.

The show's female cast is led by Anna Karen, who plays Olive Rudge, the object of Stan's affections and the butt of many jokes from the male characters. Cicely Courtneidge plays Stan's long-suffering mother, who lives with him and constantly nags him about his lifestyle. Doris Hare plays the no-nonsense depot manager, who keeps the drivers and conductors in line. Finally, Stephen Lewis plays Inspector Blake, a strict supervisor who is constantly on the lookout for any wrongdoing.

The show is full of slapstick humour and is often criticized for its portrayal of women and minorities. However, it was hugely popular with audiences, particularly during its early years. The characters were so beloved that two spin-off films were made after the show had ended.

The show's popularity can be attributed to its hilarious scenes and the chemistry between its cast members. Reg Varney is particularly impressive as Stan Butler, who is always coming up with outrageous schemes to get out of work. Bob Grant is the perfect foil for Varney, as Jack is often the voice of reason who tries to stop Stan from getting into trouble. The female cast members, particularly Hare and Courtneidge, add a touch of class to the show and provide a nice counterbalance to the male characters' antics.

The show's sets and costumes are another highlight. The Luxton bus depot is perfectly recreated, and the costumes of the characters are iconic. Stan's bright green uniform, complete with a peaked cap, has become one of the most recognizable outfits in British television history.

Overall, On The Buses is a classic British sitcom that will always have a place in television history. Its humour may be outdated, but its characters and their antics are timeless. The show is a must-see for anyone interested in British comedy, and its influence can still be seen in modern sitcoms.

On The Buses is a series that ran for 7 seasons (74 episodes) between February 28, 1969 and on ITV

On The Buses
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Seasons
Gardening Time
13. Gardening Time
May 6, 1973
The last episode in this classic sitcom programme.
Friends In High Places
12. Friends In High Places
April 29, 1973
There is a vacancy at the depot canteen and Jack suggests that Mum might want to work there.
The Allowance
11. The Allowance
April 22, 1973
A new recruit is to be trained by Jack with the inspector's knowledge that she'll drive Jack mad with her moaning and whinging.
What The Stars Foretel
10. What The Stars Foretel
April 15, 1973
Mum and Olive read the Inspector's tea leaves and predict that he will marry one of them. Blakey doesn't appear willing to follow their glimpse into the future.
The Visit
9. The Visit
April 8, 1973
The inspector's mother stays at Mum's but the two women's personalities clash heavily making the house an unbearable place to be.
Hot Water
8. Hot Water
March 30, 1973
A water heater breaks down and Jack and the Inspector attempt to fix it themselves.
Goodbye Stan
7. Goodbye Stan
March 23, 1973
Stan has landed a new job in the north and realises that he will gain an extra week's wages if he gets the sack.
On The Omnibuses
6. On The Omnibuses
March 16, 1973
The company celebrates its centenary and Stan takes a trip down memory lane.
The Poster
5. The Poster
March 9, 1973
The company undergoes new measures to attract more passengers and launches an advertising campaign.
The Football Match
4. The Football Match
March 2, 1973
The depot's football team find that they have an attractive incentive if they win the match against the Basildon Bashers - they will receive a £5 bonus.
The Ticket Machine
3. The Ticket Machine
February 23, 1973
The family run into money problems when Olive and Mum spend £50 in the same week that Stan blows a week's wages in one night on his girlfriend.
The Perfect Clippie
2. The Perfect Clippie
February 16, 1973
Stan finds that his income does not stretch far enough to support his family.
Olive's Divorce
1. Olive's Divorce
February 9, 1973
Arthur still hasn't returned after six months and so Stan decides that it is time for Olive to go to the divorce courts.
Description
Where to Watch On The Buses
On The Buses is available for streaming on the ITV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch On The Buses on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    February 28, 1969
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (2,703)
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