Talk:Benson (TV series)

Setting
Does anyone know what makes Connecticut a more likely state for the show than any other state? 24.130.126.57 03:13, 23 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Season 1 Episode 20 Governor Carlin holds a press conference and on either side of the podium is the US Flag and the Connecticut state flag. So it is definitely set on Connecticut. 98.97.176.211 (talk) 16:07, 4 August 2023 (UTC)

In the episode 'Scenario', they went to a bomb shelter below the mansion. The governor asks if Benson can show him where they are on a table map. He points to a spot on south part of map. Then when asked to point out Springfield he points to a spot Southwest, and across a river. All this to say they are not set in Springfield. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:30A:C003:F90:782A:8DFC:EF52:8431 (talk) 22:16, 13 April 2017 (UTC)


 * I would guess because Soap was set in Connecticut, but that's hardly conclusive evidence. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 17:09, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
 * I never thought of the Soap connection before, but I too always thought it was Connecticut. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nygoodliving (talk • contribs) 00:56, June 4, 2006 (UTC)
 * I, too, thought it was Connecticut. Probably due to the fact that Benson had a map on his wall showing New Jersey, New York and Connecticut (in Benson's budget director office). However, when TV Land ran a marathon, I noticed the left stage wall had a picture of the Chesapeake Bay region (a southern continuation of the other map). The map that included Connecticut was more prominent, as it was clearly visible when there was a dialog scene in Benson's office. &mdash;Twigboy 15:48, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I think Benson was set in Illinois, during the episode when Benson proposes to Senator Hartford, she hints that the party meeting in SpringField wants Bensen to run for governor.
 * Presumably, you are implying that this is because Springfield is the capital of Illinois. However, Benson takes place in the state capital - why would they be referring explicitly to Springfield if they were in Springfield?  Other than that... most states have a Springfield.

I put in a setting section, but it was removed. I understand the concern about the Chesapeake, but there is a section on setting for The Simpsons, which has a similar ambiguity about location. Why should there not be one for Benson? Jm307 19:46, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * There should be, as long as we can expand it beyond the fact that Soap was set in CT. Would we put references to disqualified states (such as Arizona and New Mexico, because they were referenced as travel destinations)? How about regional references (it never snowed, making it likely to be a southern state)? Or, does that suggestion qualify as original research? As I said before, I'm all for it, just needs expanding. &mdash;Twigboy 20:43, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Well, the section I added was intended to be a start, not a be-all and end-all. Was the Snowbound episode supposed to take place in the same state?  Also, in the episode Old School Ties, where they sent Katie to school, they said it was 300 miles away, but still in the same state, which would indicate that it was set in a state at least 300 miles wide in some direction (eliminating Connecticut).  Jm307 22:49, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * They had more than one blizzard. 2603:300B:720:1400:ADA8:3EDA:EE98:4D7B (talk) 00:02, 15 August 2022 (UTC)

It cannot be Connecticut by evidence in the episode "Jessica" where Jessica, from Soap, is warned not to cause a scandal in the state as it might hurt the governor. According to notes that I took during the marathon I have ruled out the following states: Oregon, Colorado, Connecicut. The above mentioned "300 mile rule" (from the episode where they attempt to put Katie in bording school which was on the "other side of state.. 300 miles" indicating that the capital is at least 300 miles from a east-west border). This eliminates all of the New England states and most of the midatlantic states - looking at the map and culture evident in the show I think the most likely candidates are Frankfort, KY and Richmond, VA.--Usikyle 16:51, 11 June 2006 (UTC)
 * It is around 375 miles from Albany, NY to the border with Lake Erie and Pennsylvania. That, plus the presence of the map, is suggestive that it might be New York State. Jm307 02:45, 13 June 2006 (UTC)
 * The "300 mile rule" would also knock out some of the midwest states. I'm pretty sure it would eliminate Iowa as a possible state as Des Moines isn't 300 miles away from any of the borders.70.41.111.24 17:53, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

I added yet another setting section. This time, it is more NPOV. But it doesn't include all possible clues from the show (as I haven't seen every episode). Feel free to contribute... Jm307 03:04, 13 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Oh dear. The Setting section really is too much. Clearly this, and many other shows, are absolutely set in a fictional place that does not exist. This is different from the show being set in a real place that is never named. The multiple script writers over the many years the show runs all turn in their scripts full of jokes and gags that are coined to get a laugh. They aren't making sly hints about the real-life town the show is set in. Words like "we came 1000 miles?!", "that's 100 miles to the East", "this ain't California!" etc are used not as hidden clues about the real place the show is set in, but because the writer thought that that gag worked in that script. Asa01 22:21, 13 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I totally agree. I'm going to remove it, and if people want to make a case for re-including it, go ahead.  I agree with Asa01's comments...While this "setting" section is impressive, and it must have taken a lot of analysis to do it, I don't think wikipedia is the kind of place where this sort of info belongs.  The difference between Benson and The Simpsons, is that in the Simpsons, the location of Springfield is actually a recurring gag that the writers would work into the show.  (For example, you would see them go to point out Springfield on a map, and then another character would walk in front of the map, etc.)  To my recollection, Benson never addressed the location in that way.  So, like i said, this is interesting info, but i think it's appropriate for a fan-site or something, but not WP, in my opinion.  --Duke33 (talk) 15:57, 5 July 2008 (UTC)

Some of these characters are of rather questionable intellectual qualifications. I do not think that the "300 miles" comment proves anything, because they could have made a mistake regarding the distance to the school or regarding whether it is in the same state.71.109.146.46 (talk) 05:00, 21 November 2011 (UTC)

The State is New York no question in my mind mentioning of the counties city's and highways through out the Series it is New York. The he map behind Benson is of the state. Monroe County The highways mention in the Nuclear episode the highway 37 mentioned on Halloween with Grim Reaper. The city called Springfield all leads us to New York State — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.255.9.96 (talk) 05:44, 2 July 2018 (UTC)


 * Not NY, because the Oval Office episode they say they flew 1900 miles to the White House. 2601:154:C100:85A0:BD7E:231A:C259:913 (talk) 03:59, 20 March 2024 (UTC)

In the episode in which Benson and the Governor are called to the White House (season 6, The Oval Office), while there they comment on having traveled 1,900 miles to come. That would require a state much further west than New York - Montana, for example, would work. As others have noted, the setting is simply fictional. 24.102.228.209 (talk) 05:44, 4 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Nice revival! lol ... From the previous OR, it appears that the only 4 candidates are Montana, Idaho, Utah and Arizona (from the 1900 miles)


 * Then we have the 300 miles for her school - assuming the capital of the state is where the governor resides ... Arizona is out, the only place would be in the NW and that is barren and devoid of any real population. Utah - Salt Lake City ... SE is the same place as Arizona's NE, and SW is a possibility, though only 280 miles to the border in the SW corner, there is a population there in St George (270 miles) and Washington (260)


 * Idaho - from Emmett we have Sagle/Sandpoint/Kootenai all around 300 miles to the north aorund Lake Pend Oreille. Montana is a doozie, there is nothing out to the east, so it sort of knocks itself out right there. Boise, Idaho, would be 2000 miles, not 1900, so that is out as well - not sure how hot it gets in summer in Montana and Idaho, but the episode with the aircon out seems pretty hot.


 * That leaves Utah and Arizona as the only possibilities for real places.


 * personally, I think it is either Utah or imaginary. Arizona is too hot and dry to allow that sort of lush lawn and there are no palm trees lol. Chaosdruid (talk) 22:31, 23 June 2020 (UTC)


 * Just watched S03E21 ... Benson (sat in a boat with Gatling): "Ladies and gentlemen I give you the next governor of Hargreave state" Chaosdruid (talk) 14:54, 1 July 2020 (UTC)

Benson is undoubtedly based in NJ. For starters there is a Springfield in NJ. But what really sets it in stone is Season 1, Episode 14 titled “Just Friends”. The governor speaks of Mr Walker, an industrialist being offered a tax break to set up a factory in “The Meadowlands”, refusing the offer. The only Meadowlands is in NJ, home of Giant Stadium. Trent Jacobs (talk) 07:14, 2 February 2021 (UTC)

I haven’t watched enough, but it could be one of those things where they use locations, companies, etc. unique to different states in order to purposely make it a non specific, fictional state. In the case of the show Benson, it may simply be that the writer decided to make the governor a Democrat leader in a nondescript New England state. Trent Jacobs (talk) 14:22, 2 February 2021 (UTC)

There is a map of NJ directly hanging behind the governor's desk. It can be seen throughout the series particularly the opening credits of season four, where Missy Gold is standing next to Robert Guillaume just in the governor's office just before her credit. Jdalrymple (talk) 09:39, 18 June 2021 (UTC)

Series finale
Who won? You know, ALF ended with an unresolved finale too. 71.111.232.40 11:33, 3 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Since it was Benson's show, I always assumed it was him.RandomNobody1234 01:50, 4 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I was thinking about it and actually remember watching the finale when it originally aired and I'm pretty sure they were watching the tv and heard the announcer say "the winner is..." and then the shot froze and the normal credits began. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nygoodliving (talk • contribs) 00:56, June 4, 2006 (UTC)
 * I was just watching this episode (11:30am PDT June 9, 2017) and it ended just how Nygoodliving said, "The winner is" and stop. They never revealed who won.ProudMomInNv (talk) 19:07, 9 June 2017 (UTC)

Governor's wife eaten by horses?
From the 47th Semi-Annual Williams College Trivia Contest, December, 1989:


 * 71
 * Realm: Television
 * Question: From the TV show "Benson," the Governor is a widower. How was the death of his wife explained?
 * Answer: She was eaten by horses.

How can this be confirmed?

I stumbled upon several cases of people eaten by horses, some from classic mythology: Mares of Diomedes ate Abderus and Diomedes King of Thrace; also Glaucus of Potniae was torn apart by horses gone wild. Then goolge gave me this here ref. I don't know whether this trivia will be of any use for wikipedia, but what the heck? `'mikka 06:44, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

It was stated in the first episode. The governor says she was on her way to a costume party dressed as the Sugarplum fairy. She had sewn her costume out of sugar cubes and when she took a shortcut through a pasture, she was eaten by the horses. It was a throwaway joke. Bkatcher (talk) 15:54, 25 March 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes, it's clearly in the pilot episode, the absurdity of the joke seems more akin to SOAP, than to what Benson evolved into... Peace is contagious (talk)

Governor's Political Party
I strongly believe the governor is a democrat as evidenced in the first episode in which the governor tells Benson his daughter hates him and then Benson asks, "Why? Is she a Republican?" If there are no other facts to contradict this please add it somewhere to the article. - Ponile 2/23/07

Agreed. By the way I am Ponile, since I lost my password. That sucks because I created a very good article with that username. PonileExpress (talk) 18:35, 6 September 2008 (UTC)


 * GREAT observation & deduction !Peace is contagious (talk) 20:41, 15 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Actually Katie calls her dad a murderer, and THEN Benson sarcastically asks if she's a Republican. LOL But Katie was referring to her dad killing beavers by moving their dam, not people.Peace is contagious (talk) 01:46, 19 April 2016 (UTC)

1986???
Is the article serious when it says the show ran from September 13, 1979 to April 19, 1986? I always liked Benson but the show just disappeared around 1981 and I never saw it on TV after that. Who was airing it? -Rolypolyman (talk) 21:17, 21 June 2008 (UTC)
 * There r many reasons why TV shows were yanked from certain areas/"markets" ...however often it was for "reasons" of racial or "moral" prejudice. I grew up in NY & remember seeing it (1st run) in the mid 1980s Peace is contagious (talk) 21:04, 15 April 2016 (UTC)

Unsourced material
The following is unsourced information:

While this is interesting, we can't use it unless you provide a source. Also, none of this is really trivia, as trivia by its definition is "unimportant information" - it therefore shouldn't be in a trivia section but instead the information should be incorporated into the main article. - Tbsdy lives (talk) 11:38, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Jerry Seinfeld's first television appearance was in 1980, playing the recurring role of the delivery man/aspiring comic, Frankie. Shortly afterward, he was abruptly fired. He has claimed in several interviews that he was not told that he would be fired. Rather, he came to the studio for a table read, only to discover that he did not have a script.
 * Ted Danson played the character Dan, who married Benson's secretary, Marcy. The following year, Danson would star in the eventual hit program Cheers.
 * Lewis J. Stadlen's character, John Taylor, was written out of the show after the first season. The storyline ended with Taylor quitting to run for political office, even going so far as snubbing an endorsement from his former boss.
 * Two actors from this series, Ethan Phillips and Rene Auberjonois, appeared later as regular characters in the Star Trek universe (as Neelix in Star Trek: Voyager and Odo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, respectively). Robert Picardo, who played the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager, appears in the two-part Benson seventh season episode "Reel Murder".
 * Swenson and McWilliams appeared as recurring characters on Soap prior to joining the Benson cast. Although Benson is a cross-over character from Soap, both Swenson and McWilliams play new characters, albeit with personalities near identical to their Soap characters.
 * The theme song to Benson is a popular sound clip on the Preston and Steve morning radio show. Broadcasting on 93.3 WMMR and based primarily in Philadelphia, the theme is mostly used for when the hosts can't remember a certain actor or show.
 * The same house used in Benson was also used in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as the Bank's mansion, and used briefly in "The Beverly Hillbillies" TV series as the Drysdale Mansion. (No, it was not the house used in The Fresh Prince, a simple look at the two facades shows they are vastly different architecture despite having similar "footprints").

In regard "Benson has the distinction of being the first TV series to reference the Internet on an American network television." The seventh episode of "Silver Spoons" deals with the internet and hacking and was originally aired in 1982. This surely disproves the assertion re "Benson" being the first. I'm not a wikipedian, so I don't know all the ins and outs of how things work, so I'm not changing anything. Just thought I'd mention it.108.87.148.48 (talk) 04:02, 8 August 2012 (UTC)soithascometothis

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To date, Robert Guillaume is the only African-American male to win an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy
...including since the separation of Comedy and Drama categories in 1966. Sherman Helmsley was nom'd several times, but lost. (Coincidentally, Isabella Stanford of The Jeffersons, is the only 'Black' female to win in the same, corresponding, female category.) Bill Cosby was never even nom'd for The Cosby Show, bc the Academy is devotedly Leftist/Liberal & Cosby was 'preaching' about self-reliance and personable responsibility. Chico & The Man actor may be only Latino, Comic Lead to win Peace is contagious (talk) 20:41, 18 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Do you have a source for this? If not, it is original research and can't be included. DonIago (talk) 20:51, 18 April 2016 (UTC)
 * LOL ! U r a funny dude, ya know that ? Just take a quick view of the Winners list on any web-site or even here ...& unfortunately u r helping to cover-up racism & prejudice. I'm almost curious why...but c'est la vie Peace is contagious (talk) 01:43, 19 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Unless a source has specifically made the claim that you want to make, what you're talking about is engaging in synthesis. Wikipedia publishes what sources have said; we don't draw our own conclusions or interpretations. DonIago (talk) 01:47, 19 April 2016 (UTC)

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Was Benson a spin-off of soap
Was Benson a spin-off of soap 148.76.225.46 (talk) 05:40, 27 January 2023 (UTC)