September 13, 1979 - April 19, 1986
ABC Situation Comedy - 158 Filmed Episodes
Cast:
| Benson DuBois: | Robert Guillaume |
| Governor James Gatling: | James Noble |
| Gretchen Kraus: | Inga Swenson |
| Katie Gatling: | Missy Gold |
| Marcy Hill: | Caroline McWilliams |
| John Taylor: | Lewis J. Stadlen |
| Clayton Endicott III: | Rene Auberjonois |
| Pete Downey: | Ethan Phillips |
| Frankie: | Jerry Seinfeld |
| Denise Stevens Downey: | Didi Conn |
| Mrs. Rose Cassidy: | Billie Bird |
| Sen. Diane Hartford: | Donna LaBrie |
| Sen. Leonard Tyler: | Bob Fraser |
In this spin-off from Soap, Benson the black butler,
was sent by Jessica Tate to help her widowed cousin,
Governor James Gatling, a sweet, well-meaning man,
but terribly naive. Benson was is charge of the
Governor's household and helped raise little Katie,
the Governor's daughter. Benson was constantly at
odds with Gretchen Kraus, the sharp-tongued German
housekeeper. Benson assisted the meek governor in
deciding what to do, both politcally and personally.
He was usually of more help than the Governor's
politcal aides: John Taylor (1979-1980) and Clayton
Endicott (1980-1986), both of whom resented Benson's
considerable influence on the Governor. The other
characters at and about the mansion were: Marcy Hill,
the Governor's secretary (1979-1981); Pete Downing,
the bumbling press assistant; and Frankie, the
messenger boy.
In 1981 Benson was appointed state budget director,
giving him added responsibilities as well as his own
secretary, Denise, who later married Pete. Benson's
remarkable rise continued in 1984 when he was elected
Lieutenant Governor, and in 1986, in the series final
episodes, he ran against his mentor Governor Gatling
for the governorship itself, with his new fiance
Senator Diane Hartford serving as his campaign manager.
The outcome of the election was never revealed, but
one thing was clear, Benson the insolent butler
had come a long way.
Benson, held center stage on television for nine years.
As Benson, he won two Emmys, the first for Best
Supporting Actor for his work in "Soap" in 1979.
The second came in 1985 for Best Actor in a Comedy.
Click HERE to download theme song.
(Theme song provided by Todd Fuller's Sitcoms Online.)
Click HERE to purchase TV books and videos!
Look for Benson on Nick at Nite.
Benson Message Board
From Todd Fuller's Sitcoms Online
Benson
From The Museum of Broadcast Communications
Benson
From TV.com
Benson
From Wikipedia
Benson Online
By Jeremy Kinsey
Benson Online
By Todd Fuller
Episode Guide
From EpGuides.com
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Check out this classic TV Guide cover...
