Bud was lame, but that's a function of the show being poorly written while reveling in its own raunchiness. He was just kind of there to be another foil for he leads. I think Christina was something of a surprise in that show - she was meant to be a ditz, but her natural charisma turned Kelly into a likable character.
This. One of the problems with selling entertainment is that it involves selling the performer's personality, to the point that a lot of people feel like the know the entertainer when they don't actually - they know the vague image that's given them and that they modify to meet their expectations.
I seem to remember Marcy being a stereotypical boogie-woman in that show, like in the whole point to having her was to make her a pseudo-villanous caricature to foil against Peg and Al.
Btw, it never ceases to amaze me that a throw-away sitcom was able to generate some of the best actors in television... except for Bud.
I have a friend that does chauffeur work for a local bus company. I think he had to get a Class B and doubles as a bus driver as needed, but it seems to be good work. You're best bet is seeing if you can hook up with a bus company - just being an independent contractor is probably more trouble than its worth.