(Updated : 06/23/2022)
The first time we met Benson DuBois was on the ABC show "SOAP" which ran from 1977 to 1981 on the ABC network.
Played wonderfully by Mr. Robert Guillaume for just two years,1977 to 1979, Benson the butler proved the overall foil and sometimes good friend for the certifiably cuckoo & dysfunctional Tate family.
In the beginning, Benson was the kind of butler seen in many comedy movies, wise-cracking to his employers every few minutes.
Example: (Doorbell rings) "You want me to get that?" said as if it's not his job to do so. Jessica Tate: "If you don't mind." He basically did nothing for Mr. Tate because he, understandably, loathed him. Benson truly was one of the few sane people in the middle of it all,
Not long after that particular episode, ABC did what it did best at that time, gave a great character a spin-off and hoped it would work with audiences. Benson hit the fall schedule in 1979 and it certainly did fly with fans of Soap, although a few wanted him to stay.
At first Benson was just the man who made sure things ran smoothly at the Governor's Mansion. Governor Eugene Gatling was Jessica's cousin and like Jessica a little short in clear thinking.
Gretchen Kraus was head of the kitchen but ended up at odds with Benson on many things. Causing Benson to make comments about her after she'd leave a room, only to hear her shout "I hear you!", a long running gag.
The Governor was also a widower with a 9 or 10 year old girl to raise named Katie (Missy Gold born July 14th, 1970) , who in the first show wanted to attend a KISS concert.
Gene Gatling: "...but, they're always sticking their tongues out"!
Originally, Gatling had a secretary named Marcy Hill (the now late Caroline McWilliams) and an assistant named Taylor first name John (played by Lewis J. Stadlen, now best known as "Fried" on The Sopranos.)
...but next season Taylor was gone and replaced by Clayton Endicott (brilliantly played by the now late Rene' Aubenjournois.) Marcy would be gone also after season 2.
As Clayton, Rene' took a page from the Charles E. Winchester book of snobbery and made it an art form. His funniest show with Benson is (as many fans will tell you) the insult contest in the kitchen.
No doubt about who won of course.
A somewhat more serious episode, I liked, has Clayton having (I'll say) a nervous breakdown because it seems to him Benson is getting successes easily where he has to try harder. Leading to him showing up at a press conference, saying 'he' was Benson DuBois! It was resolved of course.
Later, there was also Pete Downey (Ethan Phillips) the P. R. man to Governor Gatling and also, ' Denise Florence Stevens-Downey" (The wonderful Didi Conn), as the Governor's new secretary.
These two characters met while working at the mansion. Eventually fell in love and got married and then ... for reasons I do not know, left the show.
Benson however, slowly rose up in status at the Mansion (and in state Government). He was appointed by the Governor to be the new budget director for a few seasons.
Then later... Benson became the Leuitenant Governor of a state with no name after successfully running for election to the office. Kraus eventually left the kitchen and became Benson's assistant. Katie simply grew up before our eyes, with normal teen problems.
Benson was the kind of character we saw a lot of in '70s / '80s TV, the one everyone comes to with their problems. That, thankfully faded overtime.
The wit on this show was sharp and Guillaume as Benson made great use of it. During a debate,his opponent points out sarcastically, that he (Benson) is the "black" candidate.
Benson shoots back with, "It's just as obvious sir, that you are the "bald" candidate!" "I'm sure though that your constituants are not only made up entirely of bald people!"
Humor also came out of trying to cover up potentially embarrassing situations that could ruin the Governor's credibility or Benson's or even the entire staff.
The history / back story of Benson shows up in later shows, his family, like many of his generation, had little to nothing but through his hard work and determination (and maybe a little luck) arrives at a point he most likely never could have imagined. In that sense, he was a great role model.
The ratings, yes, were down in 1985-86 and the unexpected "non-resolved" ending was what viewers had to settle for. Most were not pleased with this ending and even TV guide gave it a "Jeers", saying they should at least come back and finish it.
It never happened.
In a way it makes sense that it ends with the Governor and Benson shaking hands, the election for Governor both ran for, almost cost them their friendship. It also makes sense because it's parent series "SOAP" ended with no conclusion either.
As mentioned in other reviews here, sitcoms like this just aren't made anymore and in viewing today's slim pickings, something like this would be a God-send.
One thing Guillaume did make sure of was that Benson would never be in any sense a stereo-typed black character.
He was intelligent,educated, witty, hard working and suave and most importantly... successful. Something most people credit to "The Cosby Show" and Cliff & Clair Huxtable.
Before them, remember, there was Benson. (END)
The first time we met Benson DuBois was on the ABC show "SOAP" which ran from 1977 to 1981 on the ABC network.
Played wonderfully by Mr. Robert Guillaume for just two years,1977 to 1979, Benson the butler proved the overall foil and sometimes good friend for the certifiably cuckoo & dysfunctional Tate family.
In the beginning, Benson was the kind of butler seen in many comedy movies, wise-cracking to his employers every few minutes.
Example: (Doorbell rings) "You want me to get that?" said as if it's not his job to do so. Jessica Tate: "If you don't mind." He basically did nothing for Mr. Tate because he, understandably, loathed him. Benson truly was one of the few sane people in the middle of it all,
Not long after that particular episode, ABC did what it did best at that time, gave a great character a spin-off and hoped it would work with audiences. Benson hit the fall schedule in 1979 and it certainly did fly with fans of Soap, although a few wanted him to stay.
At first Benson was just the man who made sure things ran smoothly at the Governor's Mansion. Governor Eugene Gatling was Jessica's cousin and like Jessica a little short in clear thinking.
Gretchen Kraus was head of the kitchen but ended up at odds with Benson on many things. Causing Benson to make comments about her after she'd leave a room, only to hear her shout "I hear you!", a long running gag.
The Governor was also a widower with a 9 or 10 year old girl to raise named Katie (Missy Gold born July 14th, 1970) , who in the first show wanted to attend a KISS concert.
Gene Gatling: "...but, they're always sticking their tongues out"!
Originally, Gatling had a secretary named Marcy Hill (the now late Caroline McWilliams) and an assistant named Taylor first name John (played by Lewis J. Stadlen, now best known as "Fried" on The Sopranos.)
...but next season Taylor was gone and replaced by Clayton Endicott (brilliantly played by the now late Rene' Aubenjournois.) Marcy would be gone also after season 2.
As Clayton, Rene' took a page from the Charles E. Winchester book of snobbery and made it an art form. His funniest show with Benson is (as many fans will tell you) the insult contest in the kitchen.
No doubt about who won of course.
A somewhat more serious episode, I liked, has Clayton having (I'll say) a nervous breakdown because it seems to him Benson is getting successes easily where he has to try harder. Leading to him showing up at a press conference, saying 'he' was Benson DuBois! It was resolved of course.
Later, there was also Pete Downey (Ethan Phillips) the P. R. man to Governor Gatling and also, ' Denise Florence Stevens-Downey" (The wonderful Didi Conn), as the Governor's new secretary.
These two characters met while working at the mansion. Eventually fell in love and got married and then ... for reasons I do not know, left the show.
Benson however, slowly rose up in status at the Mansion (and in state Government). He was appointed by the Governor to be the new budget director for a few seasons.
Then later... Benson became the Leuitenant Governor of a state with no name after successfully running for election to the office. Kraus eventually left the kitchen and became Benson's assistant. Katie simply grew up before our eyes, with normal teen problems.
Benson was the kind of character we saw a lot of in '70s / '80s TV, the one everyone comes to with their problems. That, thankfully faded overtime.
The wit on this show was sharp and Guillaume as Benson made great use of it. During a debate,his opponent points out sarcastically, that he (Benson) is the "black" candidate.
Benson shoots back with, "It's just as obvious sir, that you are the "bald" candidate!" "I'm sure though that your constituants are not only made up entirely of bald people!"
Humor also came out of trying to cover up potentially embarrassing situations that could ruin the Governor's credibility or Benson's or even the entire staff.
The history / back story of Benson shows up in later shows, his family, like many of his generation, had little to nothing but through his hard work and determination (and maybe a little luck) arrives at a point he most likely never could have imagined. In that sense, he was a great role model.
The ratings, yes, were down in 1985-86 and the unexpected "non-resolved" ending was what viewers had to settle for. Most were not pleased with this ending and even TV guide gave it a "Jeers", saying they should at least come back and finish it.
It never happened.
In a way it makes sense that it ends with the Governor and Benson shaking hands, the election for Governor both ran for, almost cost them their friendship. It also makes sense because it's parent series "SOAP" ended with no conclusion either.
As mentioned in other reviews here, sitcoms like this just aren't made anymore and in viewing today's slim pickings, something like this would be a God-send.
One thing Guillaume did make sure of was that Benson would never be in any sense a stereo-typed black character.
He was intelligent,educated, witty, hard working and suave and most importantly... successful. Something most people credit to "The Cosby Show" and Cliff & Clair Huxtable.
Before them, remember, there was Benson. (END)