"Benson" (1979) TV series 1979-1986

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Creator:

Susan Harris

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

13 September 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

The exploits of sharp-tongued gubernatorial butler Benson DuBois.

Plot Keywords:

Governor | Butler | Servant | Mansion | Urban

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Robert Guillaume	...	Benson DuBois (158 episodes, 1979-1986)
James Noble	...	Governor Eugene Xavier Gatling (158 episodes, 1979-1986)
Inga Swenson	...	Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus (158 episodes, 1979-1986)
Missy Gold	...	Katherine 'Katie' Olivia Gatling (157 episodes, 1979-1986)
Rene Auberjonois	...	Clayton Runnymede Endicott III (134 episodes, 1980-1986)
Ethan Phillips	...	Peter 'Pete' John Downey (96 episodes, 1980-1984)
Didi Conn	...	Denise Florence Stevens Downey (72 episodes, 1981-1984)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Television

Trivia:

The show marked the acting debut of a then-unknown young comedian, Jerry Seinfeld.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode "Fools Gold" the blueprints Benson was hiding in his robe weren't visible in early shots (long or close-up) of the scene, but can be clearly seen sticking out of his robe right before he takes them out to show the Governor.

Quotes:

Clayton Runnymede Endicott III: You heard it from the horse's mouth.
Benson DuBois: And now we're hearing it from the other end.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Golden Girls: Blind Ambitions (#1.23)" (1986)

Benson episodes on TV Land

I have been watching re-runs of "Benson" on TV Land. I love this story of Benson going from butler to bureaucrat to lieutenant governor.

The final episode of the series was a stroke of genius. Governor Gatling finds out that through a loophole in the state constitution, he may run for a third term although everyone simply assumed he was term limited at two terms.

When Gatling announces to Benson and everyone that he's going to run for an unprecedented third term; the relationship between Gatling and Benson chills. Until a television debate where the governor suddenly realizes that what Benson has said is not personal.

The cliffhanger comes when the two meet in the kitchen of the Governor's Mansion and the two sit at the table to reminisce. They both agree that they could both be out of a job if the third candidate in the race wins.

Then Governor Gatling and Benson's attention is drawn to the small TV set where the announcer says "Cap-TV is now prepared to make a projection in the governor's race." Both wish each other good luck and shake hands. Fade to black. The classic of all cliffhangers.