User Reviews

(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)

I have been watching re-runs of "Benson" on TV Land. I love this story of Benson going from butler to bureaucrat to lieutenant governor.

The final episode of the series was a stroke of genius. Governor Gatling finds out that through a loophole in the state constitution, he may run for a third term although everyone simply assumed he was term limited at two terms.

When Gatling announces to Benson and everyone that he's going to run for an unprecedented third term; the relationship between Gatling and Benson chills. Until a television debate where the governor suddenly realizes that what Benson has said is not personal.

The cliffhanger comes when the two meet in the kitchen of the Governor's Mansion and the two sit at the table to reminisce. They both agree that they could both be out of a job if the third candidate in the race wins.

Then Governor Gatling and Benson's attention is drawn to the small TV set where the announcer says "Cap-TV is now prepared to make a projection in the governor's race." Both wish each other good luck and shake hands. Fade to black. The classic of all cliffhangers.

I used to watch this series as a child during the 1980's and enjoyed alongside other 80's "Family Ties", "Different Strokes" and "Facts of Life" and more. This was a spin-off to the hit comedy "Soap" which lasted longer than it's processor and went on to win Emmies for best comedy sitcom.

Benson Dubois(Robert Guillaume), the Tate's wisecracking, no-nonsense butler from "Soap" is now working in the Governor's mansion as the head of the household staff but ends up becoming the right hand man for the lovable yet bumbling and scatter-brained Govenor Eugene Gatlin(James Noble) who is also Jessica Tate's cousin, by solving his and everybody's problems. The rest of the staff includes secretary Marcy Hill(Caroline McWilliam),the only normal person in household other than Benson, Gretchen Kraus(Inga Swenson), the sharp-tongue German cook, John Taylor(Lewis J. Stadlen), the Governor's pompous, stuff-shirt aid, and the Governor's nine year old daughter Katie(Missy Gold).

I liked this funny show even better than "Soap" which had humor and sharp wit and unforgettable characters. I particularly enjoyed Benson's interactions with the other members in the mansion. With his sharp-tongue and acerbic wit was always squaring off his nemesis Miss Kraus or Taylor who resented Benson's constant interference. Then there was his friendship with Marcy which was very believable and with Katie he was good fatherly figure and of course there's the Governor himself there was a great buddy/employer relationship with Benson as the straight guy to the goofy politician. Taylor left after end of the first season and was replaced by the the equally pompous Clayton Endicott(Rene Auberjonois)who was funnier and I loved his rivalry with Benson more which was one of my favorite parts of the show. He was the perfect nemesis and foil with his sharp wit and arrogance and had great chemistry together. Other characters came and went over the years, Marcy left early in the third season and the ditsy Denise Stevens(Didi Conn)replaced her. Pete Downey(Ethan Phillips) also joined the staff as the idiotic PR man and Mrs. Cassidy(Billie Bird) came aboard in the later part of the series as the new housekeeper. a then unpopular Bob Fraser and Jerry Seinfold had recurring roles and Jessica(Katherine Helmond) made two guest appearances(the second time as a ghost). Over the years Benson position in staff would change as he became Budget Director then Lt. Governor. Pete and Denise would marry and have a baby, Miss Kraus would become Benson's secretary and Katie grow up into a teenager. Just like "Soap" this series ended with a cliffhanger when Benson was running against Governor Gatlin but viewers were left wondering who got elected.

Anwyay, I will never forget this fabulous show and wish they would air re-runs maybe on TV Land or Nick at Night. It's shame that nowadays they don't seem to make great shows like the did in the 80s and 90s.

Something compelled me to rate this very old TV show. When I googled Robert Guillaume' afterwards to see what he was doing lately, I notice that this great old comic had passed away just nine hours earlier.

Robert Guillaume's dignified role in this sitcom did more for race relations in this country than most politicians, sportspeople or presidents. It showed to audiences across America that Black People could be intelligent, wise, funny and helpful to others. You have to be as old as me to realise how powerful such a character is and the widespread positive effect it had. Watching a Black person in a position of political power was ground breaking with this show first aired and did away with many negative stereotypes that had abounded for centuries.

The greatest thing a Man can do is leave their country in a better place than they were born into. Goodbye Robert Guillaume. May you rest in peace and dignity.