On the Buses, Stephen Lewis Pays Tribute to Michael Robbins - Unseen clips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- The interview is part of our recent feature length documentary On the Buses at the Movies that celebrates the 50th anniversaries of the classic British comedy film series, On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses and Holiday On the Buses. The documentary goes behind the scenes, looks at the making of the films and reflects on the their enduring appeal.
Available on Amazon Prime: www.amazon.co....
The documentary includes contributions from former cast members Reg Varney, Anna Karen Stephen Lewis and Andria Lawrence, production supervisor Roy Skeggs, writers and producers Ronalds Chesney and Wolfe, production runners Brian Reynolds and Phil Campbell, On the Buses Fan Club organiser Steve Luxton, film historian Morris Bright MBE and Dean Sullivan, managing director of Sullivan Buses.
On the Buses at the Movies is currently available on our VOD Channel.
Here's a link: vimeo.com/onde...
Wow - he’s played such indelible characters that it’s a shock to hear him talk so normally and eloquently!
It's amazing to see him as 'Ole Blakey when, infuriated with Stan and Jack, he bends backwards with those maniacal staring eyes. Able to adopt an entirely different personality.
You are right and was the same with Warren Mitchell of 'til Death Us Do Part" and Wilfred Brambell who was Steptoe and most eloquent of all Harry H.Corbett was Young Steproe:)
Yeah! That just shows What a great actor he was ❤ RIP sir ❤
@@Isleofskye Mitchell played an east European diplomat in an old episode of The Avengers once. Entirely different character and quite funny to see him do it.
@@every1665 I remember him in that episode.
Was that the one based in Rome?
When you see the cast of On the Buses talking as themselves you realize what amazing actors they were.
Yeh a. It like. Meghan markel. 🤓🤓
Yes I agree! Stephen Lewis is a true legend x
yes i was thinking the same, stephen could have done anything he was so good woefully under used and under rated.
Can't believe this is Blakey.....😮
Great writer
Stephen Lewis as inspector Blake on the buses was brilliant. Great actor. R.I.P
Good writer too
What a beautiful speaking voice after all the idiots he played. Wonderful 👍
The likes we wil never see, ever again the hole cast was amazing god bless them all 😍
Blakey made my childhood ... what a brilliant brilliant character and stephen great man
@@mohammedomar4652 yes me 2 best wishes from Durham England
i met Stephen years ago and he literally transformed in front of my eyes from this nice well spoken jolly chap into Blakey !! he was such a kind man he told me he loved doing Blakey because it made people smile
I had the great privilege of working with this beautiful, funny, gentle man in the early 2000's on a show called Revolver. I can't begin to tell you what a joy he was. He was 74 and had the stamina of a man thirty years younger. He told me this story along with many others. Anna Karen was in the same show too and she was also a delight. Lovely to see this. Thank you for the upload.
@@stevenmcnicoll5060 🤔 mmm no
it was lovely to hear stephen speaking like that R.I.P
Very interesting to see this now, Micheal used to be my uncle, he was indeed a devout Catholic, as we're my parents, who were constantly badgering him to convince me not to become an actor like him, that's all I wanted to do, strange thing is he didn't, he refused, believing I should follow my passion, in fact Michael's sister spoke to me instead, she was my English teacher at the church school in Hitchin, and urged me as a child to become a writer instead, but how strange life is, I stupidly listened to my parents and failed in industry, however an opportunity arose in 97 to write a 50 word article for my local paper about a football match in the town, I nervously did this, and even did a report for my local radio station on the game. Amazing, that change everything, Micheal and his sister were right, from that day forward I never looked back, I ended up having an enjoyable career as a journalist and sports reporter with the BBC, I would then leave in 2010 to build my own station, and at 65 I'm now a successful radio presenter, music writer, musician and business owner, with no intention of retiring. Michael's whole family were amazing people, and I took your advice eventually matey. Michael's words of encouragement I still pass on to this day, a true living legend.
What a gentleman your uncle was buddy i can't believe he lived in blackpool for years
@@stevesheppardmusic 🤔 no
Awww. How fantastic. And well done. I loved Michael Robbins in On the buses. He was superb. I actually think he was the best in it. But they were all brilliant . It’s my favourite ever comedy. So sad Michael died so young and sad that none of them are with us any more. I still watch on the buses. It’s a fantastic therapy too when I’m feeling a bit low. I laugh my head off at it. They don’t make em like they used to!
it's actually sad but the whole cast has now passed away, it's so sad.
A true comedy icon that should be remembered and carried for future generations with repeats.
Anna Karen was the final one the leave this world for the bus depot in the sky. RIP everyone single one
As the years go by many actors pass on
It's funnier now than at the time because it's so wonderfully un pc.
Comedy was a lot better without that stupid PC nonsense
Oh god, I remember Arthur always giving Olive a hard time. Lol
@Ike Dyson She died in a house fire. It was a big story at the time. Made all the papers.
Amazing to hear his real voice.
I was thinking the same thing myself.
An absolute legend was Stephen Lewis, along with all the other actors who are no longer with us. Just genuine human beings with a heart of gold. May God bless them all up there.
It’s not until you see clips like this that you get to realise the true character of actors that normally you wouldn’t give much thought to. Truly interesting.
Absolutely loved On The Buses, Blakey was hilarious 😂 😂 😂
RIP Stephen Lewis 🙏🙏
RIP, Reg Varney 🙏🙏
RIP, Bob Grant 🙏🙏
RIP, Michael Robbins 🙏🙏
RIP, Anna Karen 🙏🙏
RIP, Doris Hare 🙏🙏
its still as funny now as it was 50 years ago, still beats most things on tv now, modern day 'comics' are pretty dire
He was hilarious. Even though he reminded me of Hitler. With that moustache.
Currently binging on the busses as always enjoying Stephen Lewis great actor
Great days !
On the buses . There was not one bad actor . Stephen Lewis absolutely superb
I was so sad at this interview. Stephen was so humble and his delivery of the way Michael 'asking him to pray for him' was heart-breaking. R.I.P. Stephen & Michael
I never heard Stephen speak like this at all.I really miss this cast and I have the series on VHS tapes.
Micheal Robbins a cracking actor
One of the funniest episodes of ' On the Buses ' was 'The Squeeze '. Stan and Jack on the motorbike and Blakey in the sidecar, I always find it funny. A great sitcom from years ago when TV wasn't so obsessed with being PC. That black guy at the bus depot, CHALKIE, you wouldn't see that now!!!
PC types have spoiled the mood for these types of comedy. Im not like that at all.
I nearly bust a gut laughing at that episode! It was hilarious. Poor old Blakey stuck in the road. Good job Nobby came along.
@@hugebartlett1884 What about the episode where Stan tries papering the ceiling with the family's help. Oh no!! For someone who is good at decorating I can't bear to watch this sometimes!!
Yeah lazy racism got found out
@@normanbloom you're a racist
Today would've been his 96th birthday. Happy heavenly birthday to him!
Loved "On the Buses" have the entire series including the 3 spin off movies.
It's nice to hear Stephen talk about Michael Robbins aka Arthur who was married
to Olive (Anna Karen) It was a shame what happened to Bob Grant who played
Jack, alongside Stan (Reg Varney) All gone but not forgotten.
Absolute legend I really loved Stephen Lewis
He's done some good ones great character actor doctor beeching is my favorite of his
@@Cinemaniac87 he is absolutely a true legend
@@David_Mc_Our_God_Reigns I was delighted to see his series called don't drink the water is back on TH-cam
@@David_Mc_Our_God_Reigns another is only when I laugh very funny late 70s show has Richard Wilson
@@Cinemaniac87 ahh ok thank you I’ve never heard of that maybe because I’m only 37 I was born in 1986
What a lovely, sincere man.
Very few actors have a career that last as long as his did. Close your eyes and listen to his voice and you'd never know it was him, such was his immersion into the characters that he played, brilliant.
Stephen Lewis what a lovely man great actor R I P
Awesome British comedy of the 70s will never ever be beaten
What a true professional Stephen Lewis was . An absolute star . Thanks for all the laughs Stephen . We miss you so much . RIP
Blakey is one of those Sitcom Characters that made TV what it was, and one that you never forget for the rest of your life. Along with the likes of Del Boy, Fletcher, Arkwright, Basil Fawlty, Captain Manwaring, Victor Meldrew and Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet)
All gone now. I'm glad they can be viewed online. Simple shows like this will never be made again. RIP crew.
Every single member of the cast of "On The Buses" made that show what it was. A totally ensemble piece without a doubt. It's sad to think they've all gone now but at least we still have the old episodes to watch so their comedy lives on.
Wonderful tribute to Michael Robbins-what a great actor Stephen Lewis was! R.I.P.
What a lovely bloke
I could listen to Stephen all day long .
Sadly missed RIP
The whole cast good people through and through, it is truly good to hear the real Stephen Lewis. I think Anna Karen was the last to go in early 2022 and it was an unfortunate tragedy that took her, god bless her spirit may she RIP. Both this show and "Last of the Summer Wine" were truly brilliant, L.O.T.S was so well written and acted that I think it still deserve awards to this day. If you haven't seen it I recommend it highly, lasted 31 seasons with a 37 year history.
Anna karen was one stunning and very versatile actress we ever had god bless her
Many years ago I was coming out of a local pub in Peterborough and a chap was coming by and asked me directions to a hotel, it was on my way home so I gave him a lift, in the car he told me that he was performing in a show at The Key Theatre in Peterborough, he told me that he was an actor who was in On The Buses and that they were going to go to Canada to do a few shows there, I dropped him off at his hotel, and sure enough , a little while later I saw some reviews of On The Buses in Canada , my passenger that night was Michael Robbins.
Yes i was surprised about stephen lewis real voice after seeing him on on the buses and last of the summer wine. A great actor.
The episodes of On the Buses are still as fresh and funny as they were then .
This interview shows what a talented and articulate man Stephen was
Stephen looks like my late Grandad, 2 greats! ⭐️❤️❤️⭐️
Great story and insite RIP Stephen and Michael great comedy great times!! Cheers 🥂
On The Buses was iconic to me because of its earthy normality, no matter what was going on in the world it portrayed to me the beauty of your local village or town, very very very English.
I grew up in Whyalla,South Australia in the 70s.
Only had 2 tv channels and On The Buses was on one of them at 3.30pm.i was about 6 or 7 and school finished at 3.30pm.boy did i run
I met Michael once at the Catholic seminary for Priests in Westminster Allen Hall in Chelsea. There was a meeting of the Catholic Actors Guild there and I was training for the priesthood. It would probably have been a few years before he died. My surname is Butler so growing up in the 70's I used to get the Mickey taken out of me by teachers, "ooo I ate you Butler". I told him and he had a laugh. He'd probably heard it a million times. God bless you Michael.
Loved On The Buses, May they all RIP, Stephen, Michael, Anna, Bob, Reg, and Doris.❤🙏🙏🌹🌹
I have always said, the best comedy are all British, as well as English Musicians.
Stephen Lewis as Smiler in last of the summer wine was superb,What a talented man.
£32 quid for the full 7 seasons, 11 disk dvd box set well worth spent!
best show ever written and ever shown on tv hands down
im 27 years old born in 1995, i can watch this show on repeat, NEVER GETS OLD
I saw this chap live in Twickenham for last of the summer wine, he was amazing.
I still have every episode. It was a masterpiece of comedy,always remembered fondly by everyone who saw it. The cast were perfect for the show. So sad that they are passing away now. But we will remember them,with love.
"Oh, Oh Oh, what yer doing, I'm going to see the manager, I 'ate you Butler", brilliant comedy, great acting, I was a young man back then and I miss them all
Bless him and how thoughtful to relay a nice story about Michael
That's the first time I've heard his 'normal' voice. What an erudite, well spoken man. RIP Blakey :)
That is brilliant - thanks so much. What a lovely fellow he was. I watched "Sparrows Cant Sing" the other day for the first time, which Stephen wrote. That was great too
I had that movie on DVD.
Absolutely brilliant movie with Barbara Windsor love it
WHAT AN ABSOLUTE SET OF BRITISH LEGENDS THE CAST OF ON THE BUSES. A SHOW THAT SHALL NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, BE BETTERED. REST PEACEFULLY ALL OF YOU. YOU ARE WELL MISSED.
Steven Lewis, one of my favorite actors, thanks for all your work m8, RIP.
Stephen was part of Joan Littlewood’s company in East London, which included Lionel Bart, Barbara Windsor and many others that would later become household names. He was a clever man and wrote the screenplay for ‘Sparrows Can’t Sing’. A legend of British comedy.
I didn't realise he wrote Sparrows Can't Sing, good script and a good film. A multi-talented man. RIP Stephen.
What a great actor respect to Stephen.
The whole cast & crew of on the busses absolutely legendary every episode was hilarious, how they could keep straight faces I'll never know, but I think on occasion you could see Michael Robbins having to turn away from the camera, oh man absolutely loved it
Tony Perry
Remember Michael Robbins in the film ' the pink panther strikes again'?
Absolutely brilliant, as a cross dressing butler, who was as hard as nails. Magic.
A truly fantastic actor I remember him in a role in the avengers as well
@@tonyperry4392
He would certainly have done the rounds. Stage, TV and film of course.
For years I rolled with laughter and now I'm crying. Miss them all so much 😢
Could listen to Stephen all day ....
This is the *very* *first* *time* that I've even seen Stephen Lewis... when he hasn't been in character.
All of Mr. Lewis' personal appearances - on television over the years - had always always ALWAYS *been* *in* *character*
(... either as *Blakey* , or as *Smiler* from Last of the Summer Wine ...)
Michael Robbins gave a superbly mesmerizing performance in *The* *Visitation* (a *Dr* *Who* story from 1982) ; Robbins played a *highwayman* called *Richard* *Mace* !
I loved and missed him so much he was my favourtie actor 💔💔
My favorite memories of Stephen Lewis as Smiler on Last of the summer wine.
Lovely to see this. R.I.P
I'm only 25 and i absolutely love on the buses so funny
One of the Best characters in" Last of the summer wines exceptional actir over the 50 years l have been watching him.
Stephen was a friend of my dads, I remember him coming round for a cuppa !!!!
I was 6 when on the buses was on TV and I loved watching it, Blakey was my favorite. Good times back then.
You know a great actor when they're nothing like the characters they portray. The mere facial expression of blakey would have me in stitches
What a wonderful interview and when he told the story about Michael ♥
On the buses was and is still my favourite comedy i grew up watching it when I was young and I have got the box set and the movies and I am watching my box set at the moment
Those people put hollywood to shame they had class unlike so many celebs today that don't have any.!
One of the greatest characters television ever created. RIP Stephen
What a proper gent, both him and Michael Robbins. I do miss my father's generation.
Great memories when the telly was worth watching.
Michael Robbins played Arfur brilliantly rip Michael.
What an absolute honour to have grown up with this kind man on TV a true gentleman 😊
I met him at a charity fund raiser many years ago, what a lovely chap. ❤
This is the only time, as well as the first, that I have ever heard this guy speaking in his real normal voice - and I am 61 years old in 2 days time! Thanks for posting!
Stephen was so funny, Blakey was a wonderful character who brightend the lives of many. Thank you.
I'm back to hit the like button, something I often forget to do. I was thinking about Michael and remembered he was also in an episode of Rumpole Of The Bailey. I looked it up because I couldn't remember the name of the episode, it was 1987 season 4 episode 1 Rumpole's Last Case.
Blakey, my favourite character from on the buses, a great show, brilliant actors which probably will never be repeated.
On the buses absolute quality good classic TV.
What a marvellous story. Bless them both🙏🏻
Underrated legend ...on the buses, last of the summer wine.....
Sounds like Stephen was a lovely guy, as well as a funny actor. RIP Sir.
Wow! I didn’t expect that voice
I was in a PUB when they came in. it was the LORD BROOKE in, Walthamstow. I was amazed how small Michael was . Blakey/ Smiler his 2 best tv characters in my opinion was less tall than I imagined as well.. Amazing how this video came on my feed and reminded me of that day.
Michael Robbins and Blakey ...brilliant ...... !!!!
On the busses, again great British comedy up there at the top with Only fools and horses and others.
What a wonderfull actor Stephen Lewis was. So different in real life to the character of Blakey. Great memories watching the repeats. Thanks for the memories Stephen. RIP.
Absolutely brilliant on the buses series and the films all of which I loved immensely.. RIP to all the lost actors..
What an amazing and well spoken actor , RIP mate
You gave us happiness and joy and never be forgotten .
on the buses cast ,smashing lovely people,great show all missed ,but never forgotten,thank you for the laughs.
What a guy!!
What a great man x respect 🙏 👏
Probably the best actor in On the Buses. Didn’t know he passed away in an old peoples home in Wanstead….a few miles from me.
Such a great guy. Rip Stephen.
what a great chap smiler
Amazing they where al brilliant
This is the first time I've ever heard Stephen Lewis using his own voice. Every other comedy I've seen him in, he is using a different voice
What a lovely gentleman 😊
I cannot recall when I last saw anything so moving, or so inspiring.
Part of growing up watching on the buses, especially when they filmed Holiday on the buses in pontins Prestatyn, wonderful stuff. ❤
You never see comedy's like this again