1971 saw 'On The Buses' reach its peak in terms of popularity. Season 4 spilled over from the year before, bringing many fine episodes like 'Cover Up' and 'Not Tonight'. The release of the first movie, which became the highest grosser in the U.K. Season 5 appeared in the autumn, and was lapped up by a grateful public.
To those perplexed by the popularity of this show, the answer is this - not only was it funny, but the characters were so well depicted the viewers came to think of them almost as friends. We have all met or know of a cheeky chappy like Jack, an over-protective parent such as 'Mum', and a frumpy housewife akin to Olive. Bossy authority figures such as Blakey continue to exist to this day ( unfortunately ).
The year was rounded off by this enjoyable episode, in which Arthur's mother and sister Linda come to stay with the Butlers for a week. Linda is attracted to any man she meets; she immediately has the hots for Jack, and later Stan ( technically, this is incest, but we'll let that pass ).
At the Boxing Day Social, Arthur tries to keep Jack and Linda apart, and urges Olive to intervene. But she gets drunk and after a blowsy clippie shows interest in her husband makes an exhibition of herself.
Taking Mrs.Rudge around the buses, Blakey is horrified to find Stan and Linda in one, the latter minus her tights...
Helen Fraser plays lascivious 'Linda'; best known to comedy fans as 'Lil' in the Lampwick sketches in 'The Dick Emery Show', and 'Dr.Mary Bingham' in 'Doctor In Charge'. Though she is excellent here, she went on to belittle 'On The Buses' in an interview published in 'T.V. & Satellite Weekly' in 2005. "It was a terrible show.", she said. "Goodness knows why it was so successful.". And this from one of the cast of 'Bad Girls'.
Funniest moment - Olive getting drunk at the Social, and trying to show Arthur up by lifting her skirt. Good thing she remembered to put underwear on that morning.
Complements of the season to all I.M.D.B. users ( even those who hate me ), and, in particular 'Jackm-15' and 'Deathmark VIII'. Keep those splendid reviews coming, fellers!
To those perplexed by the popularity of this show, the answer is this - not only was it funny, but the characters were so well depicted the viewers came to think of them almost as friends. We have all met or know of a cheeky chappy like Jack, an over-protective parent such as 'Mum', and a frumpy housewife akin to Olive. Bossy authority figures such as Blakey continue to exist to this day ( unfortunately ).
The year was rounded off by this enjoyable episode, in which Arthur's mother and sister Linda come to stay with the Butlers for a week. Linda is attracted to any man she meets; she immediately has the hots for Jack, and later Stan ( technically, this is incest, but we'll let that pass ).
At the Boxing Day Social, Arthur tries to keep Jack and Linda apart, and urges Olive to intervene. But she gets drunk and after a blowsy clippie shows interest in her husband makes an exhibition of herself.
Taking Mrs.Rudge around the buses, Blakey is horrified to find Stan and Linda in one, the latter minus her tights...
Helen Fraser plays lascivious 'Linda'; best known to comedy fans as 'Lil' in the Lampwick sketches in 'The Dick Emery Show', and 'Dr.Mary Bingham' in 'Doctor In Charge'. Though she is excellent here, she went on to belittle 'On The Buses' in an interview published in 'T.V. & Satellite Weekly' in 2005. "It was a terrible show.", she said. "Goodness knows why it was so successful.". And this from one of the cast of 'Bad Girls'.
Funniest moment - Olive getting drunk at the Social, and trying to show Arthur up by lifting her skirt. Good thing she remembered to put underwear on that morning.
Complements of the season to all I.M.D.B. users ( even those who hate me ), and, in particular 'Jackm-15' and 'Deathmark VIII'. Keep those splendid reviews coming, fellers!
