Was "BENSON" considered a "Black Sitcom" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

myke1472 · 09-16-2008, 10:29 AM

As a young child growing up, my sisters and i used to watch "Benson" and i always wonered why, if this was his show he never made a effert to have any black cast members. Did he wanted to be the only person of color on that show. Just wondering.

blink · 09-19-2008, 11:51 PM

That's a good guestion, but I'll give it my two cents worth.

Benson definitely wouldn't qualify as a black sitcom due to the fact that the majority of the cast was white. That being said, I think Tony Thomas summed up the concept for the series best in his season one disk interview. Tony stated that the ideal for Benson's character came from an African Amerian man who worked for his family, Tony's father was producer Danny Thomas, "The Andy Griffith Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Mod Squad". According to Tony, when their household was in a state of confusion, the guy always brought order to chaos through his enormos degree of common sense and the fact that he always had all the right answers.
As far as why the series never featured other African American cast members, my guess would be that in keeping with the series original concept, they would have had to have been as zany as the white characters we're all accustomed to from the series. In other words, someone Benson would constantly have to guide down the right path. That may explain why Katie wasn't utilized more in the last few seasons, after reaching adolescence she was smart, level-headed and didn't need Benson's help trying her shoes all the time like the others.

BensonFan · 09-20-2008, 12:06 AM

Yeah, I don't think of it as a black sitcom either. Despite the main character being black the show is simply dominated by white characters. When I think of black sitcoms, I think of the Jeffersons, Good Times, the Cosby Show and other such shows that are dominated by a black cast. (Yet, the show WAS aired on BET for awhile.)

And that's MY two cents.

catlover79 · 09-20-2008, 12:11 AM

Ditto. I think of Benson as a COMEDY, plain and simple. A terrific comedy.

Schmoopie · 09-20-2008, 04:28 AM

I read in a book about Jerry Seinfeld that Benson was a spin-off of Soap.

Andrea

BensonFan · 09-20-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I read in a book about Jerry Seinfeld that Benson was a spin-off of Soap.

Andrea

It is!

JulieSomoski · 09-20-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Ditto. I think of Benson as a COMEDY, plain and simple. A terrific comedy.

That's a great way to put it - not every sitcom with a black character has to be a black sitcom. If a show is funny, no matter who's in, then why does it matter?

swarlock · 10-03-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Ditto. I think of Benson as a COMEDY, plain and simple. A terrific comedy.

Me too. There were black performers who appeared as guest stars occasionally. The show dealt with things far more important than the color of one's skin.

swarlock · 10-03-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I read in a book about Jerry Seinfeld that Benson was a spin-off of Soap.

Andrea

It was.

blink · 10-03-2008, 02:54 PM

One of the thing's that made "Benson" stand out was the fact that it was very original and different.

catlover79 · 08-01-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

One of the thing's that made "Benson" stand out was the fact that it was very original and different.

09-16-2008, 10:29 AM	#1
myke1472 Member Forum Cub Join Date: Jun 28, 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 2	Was "BENSON" considered a "Black Sitcom" As a young child growing up, my sisters and i used to watch "Benson" and i always wonered why, if this was his show he never made a effert to have any black cast members. Did he wanted to be the only person of color on that show. Just wondering.

09-20-2008, 12:06 AM	#3
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Yeah, I don't think of it as a black sitcom either. Despite the main character being black the show is simply dominated by white characters. When I think of black sitcoms, I think of the Jeffersons, Good Times, the Cosby Show and other such shows that are dominated by a black cast. (Yet, the show WAS aired on BET for awhile.) And that's MY two cents.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

09-20-2008, 12:11 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Ditto. I think of Benson as a COMEDY, plain and simple. A terrific comedy.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-20-2008, 04:28 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I read in a book about Jerry Seinfeld that Benson was a spin-off of Soap. Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-19-2008, 11:51 PM	#2
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	That's a good guestion, but I'll give it my two cents worth. Benson definitely wouldn't qualify as a black sitcom due to the fact that the majority of the cast was white. That being said, I think Tony Thomas summed up the concept for the series best in his season one disk interview. Tony stated that the ideal for Benson's character came from an African Amerian man who worked for his family, Tony's father was producer Danny Thomas, "The Andy Griffith Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Mod Squad". According to Tony, when their household was in a state of confusion, the guy always brought order to chaos through his enormos degree of common sense and the fact that he always had all the right answers. As far as why the series never featured other African American cast members, my guess would be that in keeping with the series original concept, they would have had to have been as zany as the white characters we're all accustomed to from the series. In other words, someone Benson would constantly have to guide down the right path. That may explain why Katie wasn't utilized more in the last few seasons, after reaching adolescence she was smart, level-headed and didn't need Benson's help trying her shoes all the time like the others.

10-03-2008, 02:54 PM	#10
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	One of the thing's that made "Benson" stand out was the fact that it was very original and different.