Benson

A butler deals with life at the governor's mansion.

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.

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

• The Jeffersons (1975)workplace sitcom centered on a sharp working-class outsider in a powerful household, witty domestic satire
• Soap (1977)sitcom built on a servant-employer dynamic with political satire and ensemble domestic comedy
• Taxi (1978)classic network sitcom with a wise, wry lead character and a steady ensemble

Created by

Susan Harris

Release Date

1979-09-13

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (46)

What is Benson about?

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

What is Benson like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Benson as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Benson violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Benson.

What did critics think of Benson?

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

Which shows are like Benson?

Shows with a similar feel include The Jeffersons (1975), Soap (1977), and Taxi (1978).

How long is Benson?

Benson: 7 seasons, 158 episodes.

Is Benson still running?

No, Benson has ended.

Where can I watch Benson?

In United States, Benson streams on fuboTV.