On the Buses facts for kids

On the Buses is a funny British TV show called a sitcom. It's all about the daily adventures of bus workers in a made-up town called Luxton, which is in Essex, England. The show first started on 28 February 1969 and ran until 6 May 1973, making people laugh for several years.

What is On the Buses?

This popular sitcom follows the lives of bus driver Stan Butler and his best friend, conductor Jack Harper. They work for the Luxton and District Traction Company. Their boss, Inspector Blakey, is always trying to catch them doing something wrong, which leads to many hilarious situations. The show also gives us a peek into Stan's home life with his family.

Meet the Characters

The show features a small group of main characters who make up the core of the comedy. Each character has a unique personality that often clashes with the others, creating funny moments.

Stan and Jack

Reg Varney plays Stan Butler, who is a bus driver. He often tries to avoid work or find easy ways to do things. His best friend is Jack Harper, played by Bob Grant. Jack is the bus conductor and is usually involved in Stan's schemes. They are a great team, always getting into trouble together.

The Family at Home

Stan lives at home with his family. His sister, Olive Rudge, is played by Anna Karen. Olive is often seen doing housework or complaining. Her husband, Arthur Rudge, played by Michael Robbins, is also part of the household. Stan's mother, Mabel Butler, is played by Cicely Courtneidge in the first series and then by Doris Hare for the rest of the show. Their family life at home often adds to the comedy.

Inspector Blakey

The strict and often grumpy Inspector Blakey is played by Stephen Lewis. He is Stan and Jack's boss and is always trying to catch them breaking rules. His famous catchphrases and his constant battles with Stan and Jack are a big part of the show's humor.

Beyond the TV Show

On the Buses was so popular that it wasn't just a TV show. It also led to three movies that continued the story of the characters. There was even a stage version of the show, which means you could go and watch the characters live in a theatre! This shows how much people loved the funny adventures of Stan, Jack, and Blakey.

Images for kids

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  The main characters of On the Buses (left to right): Arthur, Olive, Stan, Mum (Doris Hare), Jack and Blakey

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  The series spawned three feature film spin-offs and a stage version