On the Buses (1969)
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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Episode 1 - Nowhere to Go
Release Date: 1970-11-27Stan tries to get the rest of the family out of the house so that he can spend some time alone with Suzy the clippie.
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Episode 2 - The Canteen Girl
Release Date: 1970-12-04Blakey has taken a shine to the canteen girl, Molly. So much so that he has asked her to marry him and live out in the country! However, Stan and Jack know that she has a reputation and will go with anyone after a few drinks. The problem is they have to make Blakey see sense before he leaves the depot.
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Episode 3 - Dangerous Driving
Release Date: 1970-12-11When an article is printed in the paper saying that bus drivers are at risk from health problems, Mum decides to put Stan on a diet.
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Episode 4 - The Other Woman
Release Date: 1970-12-18At the busman's social, Arthur is spending he time and money on one of the clippies, Wendy, much to Olive's chagrin. When Olive throws Arthur out, the family thinks he is staying with Wendy, but actually he spends the night in his motorbike sidecar!
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Episode 5 - Christmas Duty
Release Date: 1970-12-25Stan and Jack end up having to do a shift on Christmas day again.
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Episode 6 - The 'L' Bus
Release Date: 1971-01-01After too many sleepless nights due to Arthur and Olive's squeaky bed, Stan tries his hand at mending it but unfortunately only suceeds in making it worse! Jack's aunt has a bed to sell but the problem is transporting it to the Butler's house. Fortunately, Stan and Jack is in charge of the 'learner' bus, training new staff, so they use the bus to transport the bed. However, the bus develops mechanical problems and they have to go back to the depot and move the bed onto another bus without Blakey seeing them!
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Episode 7 - The Kids' Outing
Release Date: 1971-01-10It's the day of the annual kids outing, a job that none of the bus crews want to do.
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Episode 8 - The Anniversary
Release Date: 1971-01-17It's Arthur and Olive's tenth wedding anniversary and Aunt Maud has bought them a puppy as a present.
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Episode 9 - The Cover Up
Release Date: 1971-01-24The Butlers furniture needs new covers. But as money is short, Stan suggests using spare bus seat fabric from the Depot. When Blakey makes an unexpected visit, the Butlers try to hide their new cushions!
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Episode 10 - Safety First
Release Date: 1971-01-31After several buses are nearly involved in accidents while leaving the depot, Blakey decides to introduce a new set of road and depot safety rules.
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Episode 11 - The Lodger
Release Date: 1971-02-07The Butlers rent out their spare room to the new Traffic Manager. But Olive gets more than she bargained for when she takes him up his breakfast!
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Episode 12 - The Injury
Release Date: 1971-02-14Stan has an accident while decorating the bathroom. However because the injury was caused at home, he will not be paid sick pay. Jack has an idea, if they can mock up an accident at the depot, the management will have to pay up. A trap is set up on the depot stairs, but Blakey gets there first!
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Episode 13 - Not Tonight
Release Date: 1971-02-21When Stella, the shapely new waitress in the cantenn, makes a pass at Stan, he's both pleased and surprised.