Reg Varney died yesterday aged 92. Now, while many people would try and spin this into a joke about him being naff and making fun of On The Buses, I wont, I loved it.
I think it would be best to salute the man who made me laugh alot when I was a nipper.
I loved On The Buses when I was young, especially the films, Mutiny was my favourite as they went through Windsor Safari Park and got attacked my monkeys and a lion.
For those unfamiliar with On The Buses I attempt to explain through the medium of Wikipedia.
Stan Butler (Reg Varney) works as a bus driver for the Luxton & District Traction Company. He lives at home with his bingo-loving, widowed and overbearing mother (Cicely Courtneidge, later Doris Hare), his frumpy sister, Olive (Anna Karen), and his lazy brother-in-law, Arthur (Michael Robbins). The bane of Stan's life is Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake (Stephen Lewis), who is often checking up on him and his conductor and best friend, the cheerful, bucktoothed Jack Harper (Bob Grant). Blakey often threatens them with the sack for lateness and untidiness; not coincidentally, he sports a toothbrush moustache and general appearance very much in the image of Adolf Hitler. His catchphrases are "I 'ate you Butler!" and "You've made my day." In later years Arthur and then Stan left the series, Olive worked for the bus company and Blakey moved in to board at Mum's house.
I remember the On The Buses episode that my parents had on tape that we ended up seeing a lot when we were kids. Stan needed to fit a new toilet, oh, you can imagine the hilarity.
It is interesting to see that Stan and Arthur later left the series, yet they still carried on. They used to do that alot on old sit coms, even when people died. I seem to remember about 10 people playing LeClerc in Allo Allo and two different people played Heir Flick. I think now they would just stop once the best people leave, but then, they must have felt the brand was so strong.
But, back to On The Buses, it is only Blackey and Olive left now, Jack committed suicide a few years ago, sadly.
Reg Varney was in his 50's during the run of On The Buses, which makes him a sex machine of epic proportions. It also explains why he would always wear those roll-necks. At least now he and Jack can meet up at that giant bus depot in the sky and ogle birds all day long.
Boring fact, but Reg Varney was the first man to use a cash point in 1967. Another boring fact, Ernie Wise had the first mobile phone.
It is also interesting to note that when the film On The Buses was released in 1971, it out grossed Diamonds are Forever in the UK, take that Bond, owned by Blakey.
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| Comments about This Article |
| on the buses was a good comdey that is even good and relaxing today. full of laughter and good will. why can't there be comdey like that nowadays. instead of swearing involved
Comment By: diamond girl, 05 Aug 2010, Rating: 5/5  |
| I loved the sitcom on the buses when i was younger and found them funny but now me being foty rour i find them even funnier, i was lucky to meet stephen lewis a couple of years ago in Porthcawl miners pavilon when he was playing a character in a xmas panto and when he spoke after saying how he enjoyed being there and making the kids happy he sounded so posh LONG LIVE ( ON THE BUSES) And their films as the cast will live on forever I ate butler ha ha
Comment By: Richard Thomas, 07 Jul 2010, Rating: 5/5 |
| Todays so called sit - com comedy programmes do not come anywhere close to the sheer quality and entertaining value of " On The Buses ".Reg Varney was a brilliant actor,supported by a matching quality cast.The films and series episodes can be watched time and time again without losing any of their entertainment value.
Comment By: John, 01 Jul 2010, Rating: 5/5 |
| I think on the buses was one of the best film ever made, so sad to hear of such fun loving people passing away. I think these people will be in our thoughts for a long time thank god 4 itv3
Comment By: lord lewis, 18 Jun 2010, Rating: 5/5 |
| how can anyone say on the buses was boring!IT WAS PURE CLASS AND WE STILL WATCH IT NOW!
Comment By: d.millington, 28 Dec 2009, Rating: 4/5  |
| I think that Reg Varney was a very talented actor and feel so sorry to hear that he passed away and i know he will be missed beause he made the on the buses worth watching
Comment By: David webster , 24 Nov 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| on the buses was one of th best brittish television programms ever becuase it was set in a actual bus garage with proper bus drivers.
Comment By: David webster, 24 Nov 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| I tink they are all good,they play them alot more. well done REG 5/5.
Comment By: steveI, 02 Aug 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| Great film ,I remeber all the one,s they made.I still watch them all today and i still find them funny. well done Reg 5/5
Comment By: stephen, 1 aug 2009., 01 Aug 2009, Rating: 0/5  |
| you definately not a bellend stan was funny
Comment By: phil taylor, 12 Jun 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| very nice clippies
with sexy short skirts
Comment By: james henders, 04 Jun 2009, Rating: 4/5 |
| I think on the buses was one of the best film ever made, so sad to hear of such fun loving people passing away. I think these people will be in our thoughts for a long time.
Comment By: Paul, 27 May 2009, Rating: 4/5 |
| Another interesting fact: You are a bell-end!
Comment By: Olive, 18 Nov 2008, Rating: 2/5  |
| Go to agree with you, when I was young On The Buses was the first "Sitcom" I can really remember laughing at...RIP Reg
Comment By: Smokey Earl, 17 Nov 2008, Rating: 3/5  |
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