Ok, I'm just copying and pasting this from www.tv.com (I want to give credit where credit is due). You'll enjoy reading this. Posted by Bob Fraser ("Senator Tyler") on April 2, 2008:

As the head writer and show-runner on Benson for seasons 2-7, I think I can clear up a few misconceptions.

First, Benson was not cancelled because of ratings. It was cancelled because of costs - an 8th season would have been quite expensive for the production company and ABC ... and they decided (at the last possible minute, by the way) to forego another season.

In fact, when we were up against Dallas (as has been mentioned by a couple of folks) we actually won that time slot every week - we also beat The World Series game we were up against that season, not to mention The Incredible Hulk and Dukes of Hazzard as well as everything NBC put up against us. The reality is that Benson rarely lost any timeslot we were in – during seasons 2 thru 7.

The cliffhanger ending.

Since I and the writing staff designed the cliffhanger (at the behest of ABC) I can say with some authority that the actual ending was to be Governor Gatling winning by a very small margin, Tyler (the character I played) calling for a re-count ... and Benson getting ready for a 'new life.' By episode 3 of season 8, the election would be decided in Governor Gatling's favor and Benson would be considering a job as a lobbyist for an environmental group.

However ...

In a surprise twist, the Junior Senator from the state would suddenly die and Governor Gatling would appoint Benson to fill out the term. Benson was going to Washington. Kraus and Clayton would be working for Benson - and he would take on the Federal government bureaucracy. We had a few more twists up out sleeve - but since none of our 'plans' were ever brought to fruition - I leave it to the fans to imagine the 8th season and beyond.

I hope this answers a few lingering questions out there.

I'd also add that it's great to see that there are still many fans of the show.

Bob Fraser


Pretty interesting, huh? So what do you think? :cool:

that does seem an interesting way to play it out.

certainly not disappointed by it - i think the change wouldve been good, of course the salaries by then would've meant that some of the cast would probably have to be cut...

Thanks for that info, Lisa. :D

Thanks for that info, Lisa. :D

No problem! :D

I was surprised to hear him say that Benson beat Dallas in the ratings. Is he sure about this? Seriously, I always heard that Benson got clobbered by Dallas. :confused:

I like the planned ending of the cliffhanger. Works for me! :thumbsup:

Interesting, indeed!

The more I read what the plan was for Season 8, the more disappointed I am that we didn't get to see it. I think it would have been pretty interesting to see how everything did play out.

The thing is though, with the Governor still at the mansion and Benson in Washington, I think they'd have to be skipping back and forth between those two scenes. I would have liked to see how they would have kept it going. Unless they planned to cut James Noble/Governor Gatling at some point and just focus on Benson all over again. Didn't seem to be the plan though from what I read.

yes thanks for the info Lisa

Thanks for the Info. It's some pretty interesting stuff, and thinks Bob Fraser for you're time. :yippee:

Bumping this thread since people had questions about the cliffhanger. (Hard to believe I originally posted this 8 years ago!) :eek:

EDIT: Bob has since passed away, unfortunately. :rip:

I was just thinking. A better ending would have been the Governor winning and Benson becoming Chief of Staff. Clayton could stay Budget Director and what a wonderful role reversal.

That would make perfectly good sense considering the fact that the Governor always took Benson's advice a lot more seriously than Clayton's. ;)

Benson's highest-rated season was its first (top 25); thereafter, it performed well enough to keep going, but never topped that ranking (in household numbers, which were the only numbers released back in the day).

The last season, it had dropped to its lowest numbers- so I don't think Mr. Fraser was remembering correctly, at least in terms of the seventh season. He may have been speaking in general terms, in regard to the show's overall run, ratings not being an issue.