What is your all-time favorite BENSON scene ever? Explain why?

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M.R.

My favorite Benson scene is in the episode where Kraus goes on a date with the butcher. They are going to a dinner dance so Marcy gets Benson to help her practice in the kitchen. By the end of the scene everyone is humming and and waltzing around the kitchen. I also love any scene where we get to hear Inga Swenson sing. She has a great voice.

My favorite scene is from the episode in which Kraus and Benson are married in the so-called proxy wedding, and I can't stop laughing when you see their mouths open at the same time when the judge says that they are Mr. and Mrs. Benson DuBois. It is just so hilarious, and in the same episode when they fight in the other judge's chambers - it is just too funny.

when Bensons fills in for The Groom and Benson and Kruse become Husband and wife

Robert Guillaume singing "O Holy Night". Fantastic! :thumbsup:

There's a 3rd season episode titled Stocks & Options where Benson more or less goes around the Governor (literally behind his back) to try and get something accomplished for the state

The Governor finds about it and ends up telling Benson yet another 'story', but this time what the Governor is basically saying was that Benson was lucky to still have a job and a stern warning to never try anything like that again.

It's a GREAT scene and I hope everyone gets to see it on DVD at some point.

Benson: "Does this story have a happy ending?"

Governor: "Yes, I didn't fire him."

re: Stocks & Options, I watched that episode last night; a great way of putting Benson in his place, the gentle way Gene did it doing the trick. Guess he could be more lenient then as only a few people knew what had occurred.

Compare with the way the Governor went ballistic in "Portrait of a Politician" after Sen. Tyler accused him of breaking his word: he got angry at Benson, they both got infuriated with each other and didn't talk for days. They both had some valid points, but the way Benson just took the high ground and refused to even consider where the Governor was coming from got me ticked off at Benson.

svt65: GREAT call, as you just mentioned one of my other 'favorite moments', from Portrait of a Politician. Few scenes in Benson literally make you 'uncomfortable' like that one did (when the Governor literally goes off on Benson). Great stuff. And excellent acting on both sides from our leads.

And, back to Stocks & Options, I love the subtle things contained in that scene, like the way the Governor closes the door when he comes in to Benson's office (he never does that, but this was about to be one serious private conversation). Very cool.

It always used to annoy me when people would just refer to the Governor as the 'stupid guy' or 'moron' from Benson. Hardly. A tad goofy, sure, but when something serious came up, he was more than up to the task of handling it, as those 2 scenes (and may others) prove.

Also, how did you watch Stocks & Options last night? I'm just curious because I also watched it after posting about it here! LOL! I used my most recently taped copy from TV Land when they aired it this past year. Also have a slightly poorer quality (but slightly longer, as TV Land really chops the eps up bad) version taped in syndication from WGN - Ch. 9 Chicago back in the late 80s.

Ooh.."Portrait of A Politician"--you are talking about one of my very favorite Benson episodes. AWESOME acting in that one! It was odd to see Governor Gatling get THAT angry at Benson but I agree with svt; Benson was a little cavalier in his attitude in that one. I think the Governor had just had enough at that point (although I keep asking myself if the bill was that important, why didn't he talk it over with Benson beforehand or just sign the thing himself before going on vacation?) but remember he always cut Benson slack in the past and was determined to stick to his guns this time. It was great to see.

As far as "Stocks & Options", I agree that was a fantastic scene. And it did show everyone that Gov Gatling could be ingenius at times; he wasn't just a goofball. And whoever said he got less goofy and dense as the show went on was right; I've always stated that myself.

I remember thinking when I first watched "Stocks..." as Benson got his plan of action together, oh, boy, Gene is going to be mad about this! And sure enough, he was displeased with it to -- as malicedoom noted -- close the door, and as soon as he did that, I knew he'd found out what had happened.

"Uncomfortable" -- yes, that scene from "Portrait..." -- wow, the first time I watched it, I was stunned and almost crying b/c they were *so enraged* -- it was scary to see them like that with each other. ANd then you could see how hurt the Governor was at the situation, but as BensonFan said, definitely sticking to his guns.

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It always used to annoy me when people would just refer to the Governor as the 'stupid guy' or 'moron' from Benson.
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Definitely. Still annoys me! This is a guy who has two degrees (Business Admin. & Econ.) not the easiest of subjects, and runs his own business. Being affable and good with people and yes, telling his many stories may give some the appearance of him being dumb, but I never felt he was. I also admire his strength of character, e.g. he frankly admits to Benson in ep 1 that he’s scared, but he’s out there giving it his best and in later shows, he shows that he’s determined to do the job.

Interesting as -- watched this episode this week too! -- in “The Party’s Over” we discover the party doesn’t want him *b/c* they found him to be too independent and unwilling to just meekly follow. I bet they got a surprise, as they were probably among those who thought he was dumb!

Oh, I watched the recent TVLand version of the “Portrait.” I'd be very interested to see that one when it comes out on DVD! [Crosses fingers.]

Alas, I'm still waiting for my Season 1 copy via mail; any day now, I hope!

Speaking of "The Party's Over", I am sooooo curious to know what was up with the very end of that episode. It almost appeared as if they really were going to try to take the show in a different direction (at the lumber mill, etc.) but then SURPRISE!, the Governor ends up winning the re-count in the election.

One thing to add to the mix here... the ratings for Benson in Season 3 were not all that good - it was in the lower half of all the shows on the air - makes me wonder if they were possibly planning on that ep being the final in the series run, and then tacked on the Governor's 'win' when they received a last-minute renewal? It's probably a question we'll never get an answer to.

Also, on that same subject, how cool was it... that same episode ends with them making a toast "To four more years..." - and that's exactly how much longer the show lasted. Wild, eh?

The ratings actually went up quite a bit for the next few seasons, ironically with Season 6's ratings being rather good. It wasn't until ABC moved them from the 7pm (CST) slot to the 8:30pm (CST) slot the next year that the show took its big downfall in the ratings. I remember that quite well. Guillaume had just won for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy for the first time (it was the only major acting award ABC won that entire year) and THEN their slot gets bumped. Guillaume was pissed and even said at the time: "Maybe we'll go one more year after this." Nope. :(

'' Pete, I think you picked up a snake.''

I think that's how the line goes.

My favorite Benson scene is in the episode where Kraus goes on a date with the butcher. They are going to a dinner dance so Marcy gets Benson to help her practice in the kitchen. By the end of the scene everyone is humming and and waltzing around the kitchen. I also love any scene where we get to hear Inga Swenson sing. She has a great voice.
I loved that scene too - it was so sweet. My funniest scenes are when everyone trips over the bearskin rug at Uncle Murray's cabin, and almost any scene from "Governor Is Bugged". :rofl:

I have another favorite when Benson would fill-in for The Governor from Time to time they had an episode today when Benson was The Governor and they had some trade Confrence and the 2 President was scheduled to get Married and they both went to the church but one went Wednesday and the other one went Thusday.

Also, on that same subject, how cool was it... that same episode ends with them making a toast "To four more years..." - and that's exactly how much longer the show lasted. Wild, eh?

Good observation...and I just remembered another favorite Benson scene of mine: In the episode "The Lumber Mill" (which is actually the 2nd episode of the 3-parter when the party wants Gatling out of the running), there is the boat scene with Benson and the Governor. Benson gets the Governor to admit he is angry after being humiliated by the party. He then tells the Governor about a time when he was humiliated as well, and it was racially motivated. It was a very powerful scene, and as a result the Governor ends up running as an independent at Benson's suggestion. We know he ends up winning the election as an independent.

What is great about this scene is that you see what a great relationship these two men have and how much they helped each other over the years. The Governor helped Benson rise in politics and Benson helped the Governor on a number of occasions.

That's what so great about this show (along with the laughs, of course)! :D :thumbsup:

I just wish they (or rather the writers) had leaned more on their friendship than the misunderstanding/fight that occurred in the finale. Of course, since I've never seen the first part of that two-parter, maybe it did make sense. Can anyone share details on “Friends and Enemies”?

The finale also had other stuff that bothered me, e.g. I still don't know why Benson was at the Mansion waiting for the results; he should have been with his campaign supporters at party HQ.

when Benson is Danceing with Mr Karus in episode called Kraus Affair

I agree 110% - I love that scene on the boat between the Governor and Benson - so well acted by both of them, one of the main 'strengths' behind the show.

I just wish they (or rather the writers) had leaned more on their friendship than the misunderstanding/fight that occurred in the finale. Of course, since I've never seen the first part of that two-parter, maybe it did make sense. Can anyone share details on “Friends and Enemies”?

Well, to put it simply, the Governor threw his support behind Benson for Governor because he was not in the running himself, and assumed he was not eligible to run again (the constitution said something like, "No party candidate may run for a third term", blah blah blah) and Clayton brought to Gene's attention that he only won once as a party candidate-the other time he won as an independent. So it was a loophole. And Gene decided to use that loophole to run again.

Benson accused him of "flip-flopping", both on some bill regarding big business and also deciding to run for Governor at the last minute (personally, I don't see how Benson could blame him) and they had a fight. Of course they end up making up in time to see who wins the election.

I'm glad SOMEONE found out. ;)