"Benson" (1979) TV series 1979-1986

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:

Jerry Seinfeld arrived at work one morning and found that there was no script waiting for him. He asked why and was told that he had been fired. No one had bothered to tell him.

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:

Benson DuBois: [after Denise tells him she's pregnant] You're gonna make a terrific mother. And Pete will make a fine... playmate for the child.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bee Movie (2007)

Coming to TV Land!

I watched Benson before I saw any episodes of Soap so I never knew the connection. I remember watching an episode with the lovely Katherine Helmond guest starring reprising her soap role. Her character's date ends up dead and it could be scandalous. Her character turns to Benson for help. Of course, he helps out rather than let his beloved friend in trouble. His character's rise from governor's head housekeeper to Lieutenant Governor is a bit unrealistic but he makes it believable for the audience. I remember him winning an Emmy. I think it's a first for an African American actor to win for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. I remember cast of characters including an understated actress named Inga Swenson who played Olga. Peter Noble who played the widowed Governor very well. Rene Aubernois who played Benson's nemesis. I won't write enemies because they weren't. I remember them being at odds with each other. I loved Didi Conn who played secretary and the man who played her on screen husband. They left before the show ended after 7 seasons. I also remember Missy Gold, Tracey's Gold's older sister, who played the Governor's daughter. I'm kind of sad that it's been twenty years since it left our airways. Friday nights were never the same on the ABC network. Good shows like Benson are hard to come by nowadays.