Do You Think 'Benson' Hurts A Little Since It Was A Spinoff of 'Soap?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-05-2011, 11:50 AM

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?

JR1 · 12-18-2011, 06:53 PM

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.

DSIzzDS · 12-25-2011, 11:43 AM

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.

BensonFan · 02-04-2012, 06:00 PM

Possibly. People get close-minded about spinoffs sometimes.

Brian Damage · 02-04-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Possibly. People get close-minded about spinoffs sometimes.

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

BensonFan · 02-08-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

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.

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.

DSIzzDS · 02-18-2012, 05:53 PM

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

TVFactFan · 02-18-2012, 08:54 PM

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

Dr. Thong · 02-18-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

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.

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.

12-05-2011, 11:50 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Do You Think 'Benson' Hurts A Little Since It Was A Spinoff of 'Soap?' 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?
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02-04-2012, 06:00 PM	#4
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Possibly. People get close-minded about spinoffs sometimes.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

12-18-2011, 06:53 PM	#2
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	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.

12-25-2011, 11:43 AM	#3
DSIzzDS Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 25, 2011 Posts: 23	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.

02-18-2012, 05:53 PM	#7
DSIzzDS Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 25, 2011 Posts: 23	Yeah, he ripped on the Campbells relentlessly! I love it when he put them in their place.

02-18-2012, 08:54 PM	#8
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,055	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