On the Buses (TV Series) Goodbye Stan (1973) User Reviews

"I'll think of you every time I watch a horror film!"

[ShadeGrenade · 7/10 · 16 November 2006]

Stan lands himself a job in a car factory in the North of England, which means he must give in his notice as driver for the Luxton bus company. When Blakey refuses to listen, he deliberately antagonises the inspector in order to get the sack! That night, Jack and the other drivers throw a farewell party for Stan. Olive and Mrs.Butler have prepared a fry-up dinner and trifle for afters. With a skin full of beer in him, Stan can't face the food, and stuffs it into the pockets of his uniform.

The next day, Blakey turns up to collect it - and is horrified to find it full of food! He is there for another reason - to look over Stan's old room, with a view to becoming a live in-lodger!

'On The Buses' was still reeling from the loss of Michael Robbins when it was hit by an even bigger blow - the departure of Reg Varney. Reg had become one of Britain's most popular comedy stars as a result of the show, and was keen to move on. He would next be seen on television in a musical comedy show for A.T.V. entitled simply 'Reg Varney'. Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney made no attempt to replace Stan, instead they had Blakey moving into the Butler household, and gave Olive more to do. But something was missing - 'On The Buses' without Stan Butler was like 'Porridge' without Norman Stanley Fletcher - the viewers knew it, and it did not reappear for an eighth run.

Because this episode went out mid-season, it wasn't possible to greatly sentimentalise Stan's departure. After all, the show was still going to be around, even if the leading man wasn't. Hence Stan's exit is conducted with minimal fuss and bother - Blakey looks glad to be rid of him, Jack is curiously apathetic about losing his best friend while Mrs.Butler seems more worried about whether or not Stan will be sending home money.

Our final view of Stan Butler, that cheeky chappie of a bus driver, is ( ironically ) on a bus pulling out of the Luxton garage, chased by friends and family. Symbolically it signalled the imminent end of the series too.

So long Stan.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 31 May 2023]

Our of The Blue, Stan announces that he's landed another job, in a Factory up North, Jack helps him land a bit of extra pay, and ensures a send off he'll never forget....

How on Earth is the show going to carry on without Stan? Some shows have managed it, Blake's Seven carried on without Gareth Thomas, Midsomer Murders continues years after John Nettles finished, can the final episodes offer up more laughs.

There were plenty of moments to enjoy, Stan getting his own back on Blakey and then impersonating him, that was super funny, and then there was the fry up, poor Olive, I seem to remember hiding my sister's cooking in various pockets and vases as a child.

Mum and Olive seemed very upset by his leaving, although that room went on offer very quickly, Jack wasn't exactly sad by his best mate's departure.

8/10.

Why couldn't they have ended it here?

[Rabical-91 · 10/10 · 30 December 2016]

The final episode of 'On The Buses' to feature Reg Varney.

Stan has been offered a higher paying job in a car factory in the Midlands, much to the dismay of Olive and Mrs. Butler. He tries to inform Blakey that he is about to leave at the end of the week but Blakey refuses to listen. Stan then deliberately insults Blakey which then culminates in him getting sacked. Blakey's joy soon turns to fury when he discovers that Stan has tricked him out of a week's wages ( which he has received in lieu of notice ).

Later, Jack and his friends take Stan out for a farewell drink meanwhile at home Olive and Mrs. Butler have prepared Stan a fry-up dinner with a huge trifle for pudding. Arriving home rather the worse for the drink, Stan is unable to eat the stuff and so conceals it in the pockets of his uniform. The next morning, Blakey appears at the Butler to view Stan's room, having been kicked out of his digs.

Reg Varney exited 'On The Buses' on a high note with the last great episode to be written by Wolfe & Chesney. Varney had grown tired of 'On The Buses' and decided that mid-way through its final run it was time to quit. Sadly, this hammered the final nail in the show's coffin. Fans were already mourning the loss of Michael Robbins and Varney's decision to quit pretty much sealed its fate. Viewers lost interest, ratings fell and, after the remaining six episodes was gone for good.

Unfortunately, Varney found it difficult to shake off the persona of Stan Butler. His first post 'Buses' show was a comedy series for ATV entitled 'Reg Varney' but alas it proved only mildly successful. In 1975, he did his final sitcom - the unsuccessful 'Down The 'Gate'.

Funniest bit - Blakey finding the food remains in Stan's uniform!

Second funniest bit - a hungover Stan trying his best not to throw up whilst facing a greasy looking fry-up. We've all been there and done that!