1979 TV Guide Review of "Benson" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 07-01-2006, 07:21 PM

After liking Robert Gulliaume as the wisecracking buter in Soap, I discover him not so funny in his new ABC venture, "Benson." This won't look terrific in his resume, bu there's an explanation: Guilliaume rode in on one trend and is stalled in another. When Soap appeared in a burst of hype about "adult comedy" it was the capper of a wave of outrageousness and "frankness" that had started "All in the Family." The Show was keenly unwholesome and featured a clutch of degenerates whose activities-from transvestism to murder-were in calculated bad taste. In fact, Soap had only one redeeeming feature. It was funny.

Benson, which retains Guilliaume as a domestic in a governor's mansion, is part of a wave of comedies suffering from terminal niceness-cute kids and mild grown-ups in scrubbed surroundings, padding benignly through harmless plots with sentimental endings. Guilliaume, no longer surrounded by sputtering madcaps, does his best to play off his wry remarks against a houseful of pussycats. The effect isn't the same, I fear.

Benson's new charges include Governor Gatling(James Noble), an ineffectual cluck who can sneeze unassisted but needs Bensin's guidance for everything else; Katie(Missy Gold), the governor's tiny blonde daughter who says precocious things; Lewis J. Stadlen as a prissy aide; and Caroline McWilliams as a pretty-but-twittery secretary. There's also a German house-keeper, Gretchen Kraus(Inga swenson), a jut-jawed Frau who toe-to toes it with the butler. Benson: I'd......."Frau Kraus (belligerently): "take your best shot. And I'll take mine." She's all mush inside, of course.

Guilliaume has eloquent eyebrows he can raise to his hairline and a cool manner of tosing away a line. If the governor pipes, "i'm off," Benson mutters aside, "I'll say." But Benson's sarcasm seems pretty heavy cannon to use on such a mild muddlehead as the Guv. When B. arrived at the new job, he had an opening tussle with Frau Kraus, who demanded his shoes, and met little Katie. "You must be the Governor's daughter." "Yes, but I'm trying to get out of it." Governor Gatling planned a drainage project that would endanger beavers; Benson found a way of saving the beavers and Gatling's face, blandly taking over a press conference to announce it. The state will be in firm hands, we see.

When Katie sneaked off to a KISS concert and was feared lost, Frau Kraus joined Benson in a cover-up for her. But then Katie got a lecture from Benson on trust and loyalty, for your basic sentimental finish. A bit of moral guidance never hurt anyone, I suppose, but I'd have settled for a good belly laugh. It is most uncivic of this show to suggest that the governor of a state might be a ninny. This couldn't happen, as we know.

Robert Mackenzie, TV Guide Critic, Nov 10-16, 1979

jamesanthony · 07-20-2006, 04:53 PM

I read a review of this series in Variety magazine from the fall of 1979 that called Benson probably the best pilot of the season. In fact among comedy series it was the most successful one to debut that fall (in terms of ratings and longevity).

TVFactFan · 07-21-2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

I read a review of this series in Variety magazine from the fall of 1979 that called Benson probably the best pilot of the season. In fact among comedy series it was the most successful one to debut that fall (in terms of ratings and longevity).

You are right, Benson was the only succesful show of all the New TV shows from the 1979-80 TV season

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-05-2006, 09:00 PM

I wish I had that TV Guide

BensonFan · 10-06-2006, 10:15 AM

Look at ebay sometime....they usually have some unique Benson things on there. I found some nice ABC photos and sometimes you'll find ticket stubs too.

BensonFan · 10-06-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Benson's new charges include Governor Gatling(James Noble), an ineffectual cluck who can sneeze unassisted but needs Benson's guidance for everything else

I just reread this and that quote had me laughing.

TVFactFan · 10-06-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

I just reread this and that quote had me laughing.

Yeah he was kind of a GOOFBALL

07-01-2006, 07:21 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,057	1979 TV Guide Review of "Benson" After liking Robert Gulliaume as the wisecracking buter in Soap, I discover him not so funny in his new ABC venture, "Benson." This won't look terrific in his resume, bu there's an explanation: Guilliaume rode in on one trend and is stalled in another. When Soap appeared in a burst of hype about "adult comedy" it was the capper of a wave of outrageousness and "frankness" that had started "All in the Family." The Show was keenly unwholesome and featured a clutch of degenerates whose activities-from transvestism to murder-were in calculated bad taste. In fact, Soap had only one redeeeming feature. It was funny. Benson, which retains Guilliaume as a domestic in a governor's mansion, is part of a wave of comedies suffering from terminal niceness-cute kids and mild grown-ups in scrubbed surroundings, padding benignly through harmless plots with sentimental endings. Guilliaume, no longer surrounded by sputtering madcaps, does his best to play off his wry remarks against a houseful of pussycats. The effect isn't the same, I fear. Benson's new charges include Governor Gatling(James Noble), an ineffectual cluck who can sneeze unassisted but needs Bensin's guidance for everything else; Katie(Missy Gold), the governor's tiny blonde daughter who says precocious things; Lewis J. Stadlen as a prissy aide; and Caroline McWilliams as a pretty-but-twittery secretary. There's also a German house-keeper, Gretchen Kraus(Inga swenson), a jut-jawed Frau who toe-to toes it with the butler. Benson: I'd......."Frau Kraus (belligerently): "take your best shot. And I'll take mine." She's all mush inside, of course. Guilliaume has eloquent eyebrows he can raise to his hairline and a cool manner of tosing away a line. If the governor pipes, "i'm off," Benson mutters aside, "I'll say." But Benson's sarcasm seems pretty heavy cannon to use on such a mild muddlehead as the Guv. When B. arrived at the new job, he had an opening tussle with Frau Kraus, who demanded his shoes, and met little Katie. "You must be the Governor's daughter." "Yes, but I'm trying to get out of it." Governor Gatling planned a drainage project that would endanger beavers; Benson found a way of saving the beavers and Gatling's face, blandly taking over a press conference to announce it. The state will be in firm hands, we see. When Katie sneaked off to a KISS concert and was feared lost, Frau Kraus joined Benson in a cover-up for her. But then Katie got a lecture from Benson on trust and loyalty, for your basic sentimental finish. A bit of moral guidance never hurt anyone, I suppose, but I'd have settled for a good belly laugh. It is most uncivic of this show to suggest that the governor of a state might be a ninny. This couldn't happen, as we know. Robert Mackenzie, TV Guide Critic, Nov 10-16, 1979

10-05-2006, 09:00 PM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	1979 TV Guide Review of Benson *I wish I had that TV Guide*
	__________________ Who Dat

10-06-2006, 10:15 AM	#5
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Look at ebay sometime....they usually have some unique Benson things on there. I found some nice ABC photos and sometimes you'll find ticket stubs too.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

07-20-2006, 04:53 PM	#2
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	I read a review of this series in Variety magazine from the fall of 1979 that called Benson probably the best pilot of the season. In fact among comedy series it was the most successful one to debut that fall (in terms of ratings and longevity).