Reg was most famous for his turn as a bus driver in 1970s ITV series On The Buses, a cheesy affair that ‘inspired’ a whole load of even cheesier comedy series and even films, including the dreaded smut-fest Confessions of a Window Cleaner and others in the same dire mode.
Mr Blatherskite’s uncle confirms to him that the ’70s were just like Life on Mars but with their redeeming moments (of which On The Buses wasn’t one).
Prior to that Varney, who had been a wartime entertainer, had been in the seminal BBC comedy series The Rag Trade, playing second fiddle to the brilliant duo of Peter Jones and Miriam Karlin.
In those days such series were about as close as you came to a depiction of the working class on TV and, although it was seen through thoroughly rose-tinted spectacles, made their contribution to social history as well as being funny.
Mr B wonders if London mayor Boris Johnson ever saw On The Buses in his youth (it was quite a saucy programme for its time, featuring a sex-obsessed bus conductor).
Maybe this accounts for his sentimental attachment to double-decker Routemasters?
We may never know
8 Comments
Reg was a greatly loved and respected actor of his age. Who are you to call him cheesy? J Roth perhaps who will remember any of our current comedians when they are 90+, none I suspect and it is because they lack that personal connection to decent working people.
Reg thank you I will forever think of you and remember a very happy childhood recalling Blakey and Stan and of course not forgeting Olive Thank you for happy memories and now rest in peace.
Thanks Reg for many hours of good honest fun. You are up there with the greats.That was comedy at its best. We will miss you
Most of what reg did was harmless fun, and he did it well, being a very clever entertainer. He’ll be remembered long after the likes of Little Britain with it’s corrosive content and mostly revolting “humour”. RIP Reg, we still enjoy “On the Buses”.
Reg Varney was the funniest man i ever watched when i was young and even when they showed On the Buses i still laugh at the antics that reg and tormenting the character who played blakey i’d still love to watch it over and over again i am sorry to hear that he passed away but i’m glad i got to watch on the buses and laugh at the jokes he pulled we have lost great person that we will all miss and also a great entertainer to everyone who would watch on the buses.
my mother was in the same unit (r.e.m.e) as reg and she said he was a wonderful character even then and he was devastated when they lost many of there friends during the war, but he still tried to keep the spirits of those left behind lifted. We were sad to hear that he had died but will remember the good things he did.
To North Americans, there is something endearing and compelling about working class Brits–and a genuine appreciation for low brow humour. Most knew Varney only for his role on ” On the Buses.” And that was enough to earn Reg a following.
Mr.Varney was an icon in early Brit-com I will never forget him. Thanks for all the great times Reg you were loved.
RIP from all your fans in Canada.