# Benson (1979)

> A sharp-witted butler navigates the absurdities of life at the governor's mansion.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/1745

## Facts

- Seasons: 7
- Episodes: 158
- Episode runtime: 30 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy
- Created by: Susan Harris
- Network: ABC
- Cast: Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson, Caroline McWilliams, Missy Gold, Ethan Phillips, Didi Conn, Lewis J. Stadlen
- TMDB rating: 7.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078569/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: witty, dry, comforting, breezy, sardonic

## What critics say

A warm, sharply written sitcom whose lead performance and witty domestic satire were well regarded, though later seasons were seen as more formulaic.

## Synopsis

Benson (1979-1986) is a seven-season American network sitcom created by Susan Harris for ABC. Robert Guillaume plays Benson DuBois, a shrewd and self-possessed butler who runs the day-to-day life of the governor's mansion, while James Noble plays the governor, Eugene Gatling, whose bumbling political ambitions often collide with Benson's competence. Inga Swenson joins the household as Gretchen Kraus, adding further friction to the staff and family dynamics. Each half-hour episode is built from the small crises of an elite household: a guest who arrives at the wrong time, a press conference gone sideways, a staff squabble that escalates into a public embarrassment. The engine of the show is Benson's constant effort to keep the mansion running smoothly while quietly exposing the vanity and blunders of the people he serves. Its tone is dry, witty and warm, with a steady, reassuring rhythm that rewards attentive viewers. Fans of The Jeffersons, Soap and Taxi will find a similar blend of domestic comedy, political satire and ensemble chemistry in a classic network format.

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