September 13, 1979 - August 30, 1986
ABC Situation Comedy - 158 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.
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Benson
From The Museum of Broadcast Communications
Benson
From TV.com
Benson
From Wikipedia
Benson Message Board
From Todd Fuller's Sitcoms Online
Benson Online
By Jeremy Kinsey
Benson Online
By Todd Fuller
Episode Guide
From EpGuides.com
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