for a show that was not groundbreaking this show was still... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 05-18-2005, 05:28 PM

pretty well put together even up to the last season. I don't think the quality of it wavered and it had real glimpses of warmth and some very good acting in it. Soap was controversial and I can't find anything particularly controversial about Benson so the press doesn't talk about it as much, but after having seen various episodes recently I was struck by how enterained I was by this little series. I just saw the episode "Marcie's Wedding" in which Marcie asks Benson to give her away and when he asks her why him, she responds, "Because I love you" and he smiles at her. Those actors were really able to convey a deep sense of filial love in those parts. Another scene that struck me was from the pilot when the governor and Benson were having their first conversation and the governor explains how he got that position and how his wife died (she was eaten by a horse). The actors played that scene so well. I saw another show when Benson became Lt Governor and all of the actors in it were top notch. There was a way that shows were put together and stories told then that is sorely lacking in today's sitcoms. There are too many emotionally screwed up characters in today's sitcoms (and dramas too) for my tastes. Conflict in older shows came from outside of the characters (racism, characters were poor etc), but now the characters are internally tormented and its getting tiresome to watch. At least the way its being executed.

BensonFan · 05-18-2005, 09:08 PM

Very well said.

One thing about Benson was that not only could it make you laugh out loud (not "forced laughter", but genuine) but you also could see the way the characters actually cared for one another. For all the insults there were plenty of times when they would pull for each other (remember Benson helping Kraus become a U.S. citizen?). Clayton was a different story because he was such a snob but even with him they showed signs of caring occasionally (like the episode where Clayton quits his job thinking he would inherit his father's business but then had to come crawling back).

Definitely a great, terribly underrated show which should be shown on tv instead of buried away in the archives. Hopefully we can get it on DVD sometime. (Why not add your name to my petition--I am hoping to send it to Columbia Tri-Star if I get enough signatures!!)

Regards,
Lisa

jamesanthony · 05-19-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Very well said.
Definitely a great, terribly underrated show which should be shown on tv instead of buried away in the archives. Hopefully we can get it on DVD sometime. (Why not add your name to my petition--I am hoping to send it to Columbia Tri-Star if I get enough signatures!!)

Regards,
Lisa

Sure, where's the petition?

BensonFan · 05-19-2005, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

Sure, where's the petition?

It's the very first thread in the Benson forum that says "Petition for Benson on DVD".

Thanks!

05-18-2005, 05:28 PM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	for a show that was not groundbreaking this show was still... pretty well put together even up to the last season. I don't think the quality of it wavered and it had real glimpses of warmth and some very good acting in it. Soap was controversial and I can't find anything particularly controversial about Benson so the press doesn't talk about it as much, but after having seen various episodes recently I was struck by how enterained I was by this little series. I just saw the episode "Marcie's Wedding" in which Marcie asks Benson to give her away and when he asks her why him, she responds, "Because I love you" and he smiles at her. Those actors were really able to convey a deep sense of filial love in those parts. Another scene that struck me was from the pilot when the governor and Benson were having their first conversation and the governor explains how he got that position and how his wife died (she was eaten by a horse). The actors played that scene so well. I saw another show when Benson became Lt Governor and all of the actors in it were top notch. There was a way that shows were put together and stories told then that is sorely lacking in today's sitcoms. There are too many emotionally screwed up characters in today's sitcoms (and dramas too) for my tastes. Conflict in older shows came from outside of the characters (racism, characters were poor etc), but now the characters are internally tormented and its getting tiresome to watch. At least the way its being executed.

05-18-2005, 09:08 PM	#2
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Very well said. One thing about Benson was that not only could it make you laugh out loud (not "forced laughter", but genuine) but you also could see the way the characters actually cared for one another. For all the insults there were plenty of times when they would pull for each other (remember Benson helping Kraus become a U.S. citizen?). Clayton was a different story because he was such a snob but even with him they showed signs of caring occasionally (like the episode where Clayton quits his job thinking he would inherit his father's business but then had to come crawling back). Definitely a great, terribly underrated show which should be shown on tv instead of buried away in the archives. Hopefully we can get it on DVD sometime. (Why not add your name to my petition--I am hoping to send it to Columbia Tri-Star if I get enough signatures!!) Regards, Lisa