What I mean by that is Soap was so silly and unrealistic, while Benson was a straight up comedy, but grounded in realism. Would it have been more beneficial if Benson, was a different character name and NOT a spin-off?

Some of Soap was realistic- especially the first season. It did veer into the ridiculous later on, though. But, it was a parody of soap operas, and we know they have thrived on the ridiculous at times.

Benson was not as groundbreaking or controversial as Soap, so in that sense it lives in its shadow.

Probably. Then it will be judged by itself instead of being compared to its predecessor Soap. However, that is not always the case, Family Matters is a spin-off of Perfect Strangers but by no means is it under it's shadow.

Possibly. People get close-minded about spinoffs sometimes.

Possibly. People get close-minded about spinoffs sometimes.


I'll agree with you there. Do you think Benson is in the shadow of Soap?

I'll agree with you there. Do you think Benson is in the shadow of Soap?

Sometimes, yes. Benson ran longer than Soap, but I think Soap still is better known. All 4 seasons of Soap have been released and we can't even get Season 2 of Benson. So obviously the popularity is there for Soap. I think that a lot of that has to do with the racy, controversial nature of Soap. Benson was just more of a good, family style show. Nothing too controversial, at least not on a regular basis. :p

Benson's character is very different in both of these shows though. As sarcastic as he could be on Benson, he was worse on Soap I thought.

Yeah, he ripped on the Campbells relentlessly! I love it when he put them in their place.

It was 3 things that hurt Benson

1. Incredible Hulk
2. Dukes of Hazzard
3. Dallas


LOL, ABC never moved the show off the Friday Night schedule

Sometimes, yes. Benson ran longer than Soap, but I think Soap still is better known. All 4 seasons of Soap have been released and we can't even get Season 2 of Benson. So obviously the popularity is there for Soap. I think that a lot of that has to do with the racy, controversial nature of Soap. Benson was just more of a good, family style show. Nothing too controversial, at least not on a regular basis. :p

Benson's character is very different in both of these shows though. As sarcastic as he could be on Benson, he was worse on Soap I thought.

Naturally. When you're a supporting character, you can get away with a lot more.

When you have to anchor a show, you become more of a straight man.

It's the nature of the spinoff.