Benson: Season 1
He's running the house... and the state.
Following his breakout success on the legendary sitcom Soap, star Robert Guillaume reprises his popular role as beloved butler Benson DuBois in the fabulous first season of this hit spin-off. Though a longtime fixture of Soap's crazy Tate family, Benson is sent by his employer, Jessica, to help run the disorganized household of her widowed cousin, Governor Eugene Gatling (James Noble). Once there, the fast-thinking, quick-witted servant soon finds himself not only managing the Governor's mansion staff, headed by housekeeper Gretchen Kraus (Inga Swenson) and helping to raise the Governor's daughter, Katie (Missy Gold), but even advising the Governor himself. The Governor may be the boss, but it's Benson who's in charge in this riotous series that's a must-have DVD for any classic TV comedy collection.
Member Reviews
Zip Soap instead! - Cricri7
I zipped Benson because I had watched Soap and cracked up with Robert Guillaume. Soap aged very well and is still funny even after all those years, but Benson is not the case. It is the stereotypical sitcom which means...a wisecracking character, a dumb one, a mean one and an annoying kid. Some sitcoms are better than others and this one is only good when Robert Guillaume talks. He really is an amazing actor.excellent comedy - paddyboy
I recall this series from the time when it was shown live on television. I was never a fan of 'Soap', but this series is consistently hilarious. Not just from Benson's constant wisecracks, but also the support from the other actors/actresses. His interplay with Kraus is always comical, with the insults going both ways. James Noble plays the dopey governor to a tee. The other characters play their parts consistently well in support of the main cast. I am looking forward to the future disks in this series, which I have already added to my zip list. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys wisecracks and hilarious situations.Great Classic TV - Tinseltown_Tess
I didn't have very high hopes for this one, it was shot in that awful, cheap looking video format, and the plot didn't seem very strong to me. How many times have we seen the help running the house? I was proven pleasantly wrong however, when I found myself watching a smart and sharply written sitcom with strong casting and great dialog.
Robert Guillaume's Benson is a butler who is always one step ahead of the Governor he works for. He battles with the German cook, doles out love advice to the ditzy secretary, and councils the Governor on everything from his congressional vote to his young daughter. He is black, but wisely, the show doesn't dwell on it. He delivers delightful one liners, mostly at the expense of the Bavarian Hausfrau Ms Krauss (Inga Swenson). Guillaume's considerable gift for physical comedy and voices is well used too.
Although it often looks cheaply produced, and sometimes comes off as rather preachy, it is, for the most part, great comedy that has stood the test of time. It's great stuff.
Member Reviews
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Zip Soap instead! - Cricri7
I zipped Benson because I had watched Soap and cracked up with Robert Guillaume. Soap aged very well and is still funny even after all those years, but Benson is not the case. It is the stereotypical sitcom which means...a wisecracking character, a dumb one, ...excellent comedy - paddyboy
I recall this series from the time when it was shown live on television. I was never a fan of 'Soap', but this series is consistently hilarious. Not just from Benson's constant wisecracks, but also the support from the other actors/actresses. His interplay ...Great Classic TV - Tinseltown_Tess
I didn't have very high hopes for this one, it was shot in that awful, cheap looking video format, and the plot didn't seem very strong to me. How many times have we seen the help running the house? I was proven pleasantly wrong however, when I found myself ...