"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 exterior shot used used for the governor's mansion was a private mansion in Pasadena, California. It is the Bundy House, located at 1365 South Oakland in Pasadena. It was designed by T. Beverley Keim in 1913. The original interior of the house is entirely intact, including a fabulous domed art glass window overlooking the grand entrance.

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 meets the governor for the first time]
Marcy Hill: Governor Gatling, I'd like to introduce...
Governor Eugene Xavier Gatling: Introduce? Oh, this man needs no introduction. I'd know the Reverend Jesse Jackson anywhere.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Roseanne Show: (#1.29)" (1998)

Favorite episode

Excellent series. Without a doubt, my favorite episode was when Robert Guillaume sang "O Holy Night" during one of the Christmas-time episodes. This was one of the best of this series, of which there were many fine episodes. Actually, the series finale was just weird in that we never found out who actually won the election. Perhaps though it is just as well. Another excellent episode was when Benson saved Krause's life by using the Heimlich Manuver. Years later a young child (maybe pre-teen, I forget) saved the life of a friend using this technique because this child saw this particular Benson episode. Amazing show by some very talented actors.