Benson_
A butler deals with life at the governor's mansion.
Created By
Susan Harris
Network
ABC
Episodes
158
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Overview
Benson has 7 seasons with 158 episodes spanning 1979-1986.
Year context
Benson first aired 47 years ago in 1979.
CAST (6)
Robert Guillaume
Benson DuBois
James Noble
Governor Eugene Xavier Gatling
Inga Swenson
Gretchen Kraus
Missy Gold
Katie Gatling
René Auberjonois
Clayton Endicott III
Billie Bird
Rose Cassidy
SEASONS (7 seasons, 158 episodes)
SEASON 1
01
Change (Pilot)
In the pilot of this spinoff series of Soap, Benson, the Butler of Jessica Tate helps out her cousin Gene Gatling, who is the Governor…
02
Trust Me
Katie attends a controversial rock concert, even though her father forbid her to go and had Benson watch her. Now the question is, who will…
03
The President's Double
Governor Gatling goes with African president Ukassi to a dinner. The African president becomes a victim of an assasination attempt and while his wounds get…
04
Benson in Love
Benson meets an attrative woman in the mansion and asks her out, not knowing she is a senator.
05
Conflict of Interest
The Governor is faced with a family problem. Should he go see his daughter in her school play as he promised, or should he accept…
06
The Layoff
Benson is forced to lay off some staff members when the Governor makes a campaign to cut ""unecessary"" spending. Katie resents Benson when he has…
07
Snowbound
Governor Gatling wants the staff to join him on his little vacation to a snow cottage. Benson agrees when he learns that Kraus will not…
08
Jessica
Jessica Tate visits and she gets involved in a scandal. She falls in love with the French Baron who is visiting and all of a…
09
Don't Quote Me
A bad remark about a senator gets aired out and the staff is in trouble. They have to find who blabbed before more damaging information…
10
War Stories
Benson's old army buddy Eddie visits and him and Marcy hit it off after Benson introduces him to single Marcy. The problem is that Eddie…
11
Ghost Story
Very mysterious things happen in the Governor's mansion. Kraus panicks and says that the house is haunted. They have a seance and find out that…
12
Taylor's Bid
Taylor quits being the advisor to Governor Gatling and decides to run for a public office. The Governor starts to need Taylor back when he…
13
One Strike, You're Out
The domestic workers demand more money and Benson grants their requests to give them a raise. The blue-collar people go on strike after Governor Gatling…
14
Just Friends
Governor Gatling is trying to get Howard Walker, the entrepreneur to settle his new factory in his constituency. Benson on his own tries not to…
15
Chain of Command
The Governor gets sick and has to stay in bed. Ed, his younger replacement takes advantage of the position and responsibilities of Governor too far.…
16
Bugging the Governor
Somebody bugged the mansion and Benson tries to find out who by trapping them inside. It turned out that Taylor's lover, who was inside the…
17
Kraus Affair
Kraus falls for the Butcher, but she loses her self-confidence asking him out.
18
Checkmate
An 11 year old Soviet is brought to the mansion for a professional chess tournament. While the boy is homesick and wanting to be out…
19
Cold Storage
Just before a very important banquet with guests, Benson and Kraus go in the old storage room to look for something and the door shuts…
20
Old Man Gatlin'
The Governor's loudmouth father comes to visit and wreaks havoc among the staff. Benson then gets so fed up with the arrogance and the idea…
21
Power Play
A load of dead fish and sludge is delivered to the Mansion by a conservationist.
22
Takin' It to the Streets
Wanting to know how the ""little people"" really feel about politics and their real needs, Governor Gatling and Benson visit a mangy bar to talk…
23
The Army Wants You
Benson, a war veteran suspicious when he is told to report for an ""evaluation."" It seems that on their record, Benson Dubois died in the…
24
Marcy's Vacation
Marcy is going on vacation and she gets worried that Lorraine, her replacement may do a better job than she does and get dismissed for…
SEASON 2
01
Thick as Thieves
Benson and Kraus are held hostage during a market robbery.
02
Benson in the Hospital
Humor swipes the Governor's Mansion when Benson is hospitalized. Benson turns out to be their funniest patient ever. They realize that he has a strange…
03
Fool's Gold
After a press conference, Benson notices a strange difference in one side of the fire place. He tries to twist it so it is similar…
04
Masquerade
A priceless gold statue is brought to the mansion and some revolutionaries are after it. They replace the statue with a replica and they find…
05
First Lady
Katie is jealous when her father gives special treatment to a very important hostess which he calls Pretty Lilly. Katie fears that she may be…
06
Citizen Kraus
Gretchen attends night classes in order to win her American citizenship. With a lot of hard work and achievement she fails the test. It seems…
07
Benson's Groupie
Benson's summer romance follows him home at the same time important religious leaders visit the mansion. The main problem in this episode ia that she…
08
In High Places
The pilot of the Governor's charter plane becomes ill and there is no co-pilot, so Benson tries to fly the plane himself.
09
Old School Ties
Libby, The Governor's sister thinks that Katie should be sent to a boarding school and the Governor sends her to one. The staff is crushed…
10
The Apartment
Wanting to be alone, Benson rents an apartment. Everybody though manages to know where he is.
11
Big Buddy
The press secretary hatches a new scheme and it involves Benson in a ""Big Buddy"" program.
12
Fireside Chat
The Governor is scheduled to be on television, but a lover's quarrel between Marcy and Dan, (the producer of the Governor's telecast) end up bleeding…
13
Marcy's Wedding
Marcy is marrying Dan, a producer and Benson is responsible for the wedding plans. That is until Marcy's mother disrupts Benson's plans by butting in.
14
Rivals
Kraus' childhood enemy comes from Germany to visit her.
15
No Sad Songs
Benson's mother comes to visit and everyone makes her feel welcome. Tender moments stir in this episode between Benson and his mother. Unfortunately Benson's mom…
16
Clayton, Go Home
After receiving death threats, the Governor's new advisor, Clayton Endicott the 3rd moves into the mansion.
17
Easy Kid Stuff
After a boy breaks his arm by falling out of a tree, Benson has different feelings about becoming the boy's surrogate father.
18
Homework
Katie tries to ""paint a picture"" of everyone in her household through an essay.
19
Handwriting on the Wall
Katie is suppose to write a school paper on her family, so she writes about certain situations that Benson, The Governor, Marcy, Pete, and Gretchen…
20
The Governor's House Call
The Governor, Benson and Clayton are trapped in a bordello with a muckraking columnist.
21
All Shook Up
An earthquake occurs and the Governor demmands strict rescue orders. One of those orders include Benson and Clayton hiding in the cellar which actually brings…
22
Lifesaver
Benson saves Kraus' life but wonders if he did the right thing when Kraus' appreciation goes way too far.
SEASON 3
01
Benson's Appointment
The Governor tries to work out the struggles to make Benson the State Budget Director.
02
The Grass Ain't Greener
Benson goes undercover to investigate conditions in a Prison.
03
Sit-In
In Benson's office, a conductor holds a concert in protest. He would like to point out the musician's plight with the culture's subsides. Meanwhile Mary…
04
Double Exposure
Benson must help an FBI agent uncover a bribe scandal, but as the job becomes more complicated, the Attourney office jumps in to accuse the…
05
The Lobbyist
Benson's lobbyist girlfriend approaches Benson with a project he approves, but the project bring Benson a bunch of charges of corruption.
06
Stress
The Governor hold an encounter session with the staff.
07
Rainbow's End
While Benson learns that his old flame (Rosalind Cash) is confined to a wheelchair, Clayton is trying to celebrate his birthday.
08
Once in a Blue Moon
Clayton is assaulted and Benson approves of tighter security at his expense. Meanwhile a ""being"" is claiming that starships are coming.
09
Kraus Falls in Love
Kraus falls in love with a man who is ineligible for her.
10
Stocks & Options
Benson accepts some stock from Pete as a debt payment. He tells Denise this information and tells her not to tell anyone. She accidentally slips…
11
Kraus's Deadly Mistake
Kraus tries to live life to the absolute fullest after she gets the idea that she only has 6 months to live.
12
Wild Irish Rose
The former Governor Mulligan pays his successor a visit. He intoroduces his hot niece Rose to the astonished present. Clayton is striked by her beauty…
13
Street Gangs
Benson tries to help a street gang stay out of trouble by trying to bid for a job in the city which requires a government…
14
Katie's Romance
Katie starts to have romantic feelings for Pete after he accompanies her to a gymnastics meet.
15
Clayton's Condo
Clayton ends up buying into an apartment building and at the same time Benson tries to get the landlord to fix the problems in his…
16
Getting Even
When a wealthy investor seeks sexual favors from Denise more than contributing to the state, Benson steps in by pretending that Denise was murdered by…
17
Pete the Hero
Pete Begs Benson to borrow his car and when Benson finally let him, Pete comes back with the car totaled. Pete stopped a van with…
18
In the Red
Pete and Benson are captured by guerrillas when they visit an island.
19
Teed Off
Benson, the Governor, Clayton, and Pete are at each others throats after playing a round of golf together.
20
The Party's Over
The Governor learns a lot about dirty politics when his party won't support his renomination.
21
The Lumber Mill
After visiting his old Lumber Mill, the Governor decides to run for re-election as an independant.
22
Black Tuesday
The Governor's campaign comes to a hectic close and the election results show that he has lost.
SEASON 4
01
Death in a Funny Position (1)
A yacht cruise becomes a murder mystery when the owner of the boat is stabbed to death.
02
Death in a Funny Position (2)
Murders abound on a working vacation aboard a yacht, but Benson saves the day.
03
What a Revoltin' Development
While attending a conference in Latin America, Benson and Pete are kidnapped by revolutionaries. In exchange, they want 6 United States fighter jets in their…
04
Thy Brother's Keeper
Benson's younger brother visits him at the same time an important report is due.
05
Quest for Retire
Charlie, the mansion's gardener, is about to retire. Charlie wants to still work, so he tries to get Benson's help.
06
Teacher's Pest
Benson must pass an economics test to keep her job, but when she finds out that Benson is going to be her teacher, she thinks…
07
Benson's Army Reunion
Benson holds an army reunion and hatred surfaces when Kim, a Korean kid they befriended during the war, turns out to me a successful mulit-millionaire.
08
Benson's New Home
Benson buys a house from a shady real estate salesman and since the house has so many major problems, Benson tries to get him to…
09
Crimes of the Hearth
When Benson's condo is robbed, he finds out that it won't be easy to catch the crooks.
10
Mary and Her Lambs
It's Christmas time and Benson helps an assistant cook keep her foster children.
11
Pen Pal
Kraus' pen pal, who is an Ex-convict, visits her hoping for a job, which disrupts the execitive mansion.
12
The Honeymooners
Kraus is about to get married. But when he can't make it, Benson plays as a substitute and ends up really getting married to Kraus.…
13
Close Encounters on the Third Hole
While Benson and the Governor are playing golf, a UFO shows up.
14
Katie's Boyfriend
The Governor allows Katie to go on her 1st date aside from the rise of an ecomonic crisis.
15
The Royal Painting
A former street gang is hired to paint the mansion for the visiting Queen of England.
16
Boy's Night Out
The men come to Benson's house to swap stories, play cards, and watch tv. Also, the Governor is a little disappointed at Benson for vetoing…
17
Family Tree
When an aunt dies, Benson and Clayton, learn that they might be related to each other.
18
Calamity Kraus
Kraus pretends to be a wealthy heiress to keep a manufacturing plant in the state.
19
Kraus Sings the Blues
Benson hosts a telethon and lets Kraus sing when other acts cancel out.
20
Half-Court Trap
Benson learns that his nephew, a basketball star, can hardly reador write.
21
A View From the Roof
Benson and the Governor try putting an antenna on the roof, but the ladder falls and the two get trapped up there.
22
Love in a Funny Phase
Benson is upset when his girlfriend Jennifer, decides to date other men.
SEASON 5
01
Band of Gold
In the 5th season opener, Denise and Pete are about to get married in the woods, but trouble arises when Pete forgets to put gasin…
02
Human Element
G.I. operatives replace Gene with a double.
03
God, I Need This Job
Everyone thinks that Benson is out of it when he sees, hears, and talks to Jessica Tate's ghost.
04
Who's Arnold?
Benson poses as Kraus' husband when her mother visits from Germany.
05
Full Court Press
Katie is assigned to write a report about what goes on in the mansion and she starts to wrie about Benson and Clayton exchanging insults.…
06
Down the Drain
Plumbing problems at Benson's flat causes him to calling a crotchety old workman to fix his sink, but something unexpected happens to the plumber.
07
It Ain't Sheik
Benson gets the annoyng assigment of convncing a sheik to act on a multi-million dollar headquarter complex and his passionate advances toward Kraus.
08
You Can't Give It Away
Benson wins the state lottery but loses it all because he accidentally said that he would donate it to charity on a television program.
09
Katie's Cookies
Benson helps Katie win a cookie contest while he's suppose to testify against the mob.
10
Labor Pains
While Benson's neigbor is trapped in a snowstorm, Benson must take care of his baby for longer than he expected to.
11
Unlisted Love
The Governor meets the woman he had a crush on in high school, so Benson tries to fix the two up.
12
The Governor's Brain is Missing
G.I. operatives replece Governor Gatling with a double.
13
A Real Gone Daddy
Winston, one of Katie's classmates tries to set Benson up with his widowed mother.
14
Too Pooped to Pip
Benson tries hard toget Gladys Knight and the pips to perform at a telethon.
15
In All the Wrong Places
Benson and Governor Gatling are surprised at Pete, who reverted back to his youth.
16
Embarrassing Moments
Benson is named Citywide Magazine's ""Bachelor of the Month"", but the female response threatens his romnce with the photographer.
17
Take My Life, Please
When the visiting President orders a security check of all the emloyees at the mansion, Benson is labeled as a spy.
18
Beauty and the Beef
When Benson judges a beauty pageant, Clayton and Governor Gatling try to sway the vote in their direction.
19
We Deliver
While Denise is about to give birth, Denise, Benson, and the Governor get stuck in an elevator.
20
The Endicott Dynasty
Clayton gets upset when his father chooses Benson to run his empire after he dies.
21
The Little Hotel That Could
Kraus nags Benson in joining her to save an old hotel from being torn down and when Kraus uses extreme measures that could be dangerous…
22
Let's Play Doctor
Benson learns that a crusty old medic does not have a medical license and when that man is up for the governor's Humanitarin Award, he…
SEASON 6
01
The Scandal
While going undercover, Benson learns that the Lieutenant Governor is accepting bribes from a construction company.
02
The Inheritance
Benson finds it hard to believe that he is the sole heir to the Playbird magazine empire.
03
Let's Get Physical
Benson's pleasure turns to panic when the attractive doctor who conducted his physical wants to meet him to discuss the results.
04
The Campaign
After Benson decides to run for Lieutenant Governor, he learns that the man who offers money to his campaign will have to benefit from Benson…
05
The Election
When Benson runs out of his campaign money, a benefactor arrives when things look darkest.
06
Made in Hong Kong (1)
Benson, the Governor, Clayton, and Kraus go off to Hong Kong where Clayton is mistaken for a famous designer and kinapped by a fashion tycoon…
07
Made in Hong Kong (2)
Benson, in help from the Police, is persued while trying to rescue the captured Governor and Kraus, who earlier attempted to rescue Clayton from Lady…
08
Hello, We Must Be Going
Benson plans to have Kraus become Lieuteant Governor Benson's assistant. But things get screwed up when a nebbish with political clout is hired instead.
09
Double Date
Benson fixes Clayton up with a date, but the date is disgusted with Clayton's romance ploys and ""manners"".
10
Taking it to the Max
Benson is shocked when he tells his sister to be cautious with her ex boyfriend and doesn't listen.
11
The Reunion
Benson visits with his brother and Uncle who he hasn't seen in years.
12
Make War, Not Love
A Declaration of War is brought out among two fighting nations after Benson attends a Trade conference.
13
Home for Christmas
As he is walking on the sidewalk during a Christmas rush, he trips and falls. While he is unconscious, he dreams about Christmas with his…
14
On the Road
Benson tries to investigate Kraus when she doesn't show up for a while. Kraus returns to acting and Benson disguises himelf as a limo driver…
15
Take This Job and Love It
Benson gets surrounded in red tape when he takes on the city mayor who pans to outlaw breakdancing in public places.
16
Making Change
Benson, the Governor, Kraus, and Clayton talk about people from their past who influenced their lives greatly.
17
Solid Gold
On a trip to Las Vegas, Benson meets the comic duo The Smothers Brothers.
18
The Oval Office
While being called in from President Reagan on account of a remark Benson made, Benson and the Governor reach The Oval Office, and while waiting…
19
Mid-life Cowboy
An exhausted Governor Gatling decides to play cowboy at a dude ranch to unwind.
20
Scenario
Benson, the Governor, and everyone in the mansion go to the bomb cellar to try and prepare for a nuclear attack against the United States.
21
Dubois: Portrait of a Politician
While the Governor is away on business, Benson is responsible for the work that needs to get done. In this particular case, Benson vetoes a…
22
Katie's Cousin
Katie's wild and undisciplined cousin Laura persuades Katie to lie to her father about sleeping at a friends and really go to a bar to…
23
The Bookburner
Benson's tie-breaking vote on a school bill leads to a major conflict with a powerful senator and a book-burning incident.
24
Jung at Heart
When Clayton's name is passed over at the table of the Man of the Year Award, an award given by the Press, Clayton tries to…
SEASON 7
01
Benson the Hero
While Governor Gatling is away, Benson and Clayton are depended upon to spend an 8 million dollar budget surplus before the next fiscal year, which…
02
Love and Politics
When Benson revisits a relationship with Senator Hartford, the Senator changes her position on Clayton's commercial-development-of-state-parks bill. When Benson calls her on it, she flip-flops…
03
Uncle Jack
Benson tries to bring the Governor and his brother Jack together after 25 years of not seeing each other.
04
The Stranger
A mysterious stranger lurks around the Governor's mansion on Haloween night.
05
We Spy
While Benson and Kraus go to East Germany on official business, the two are accused of being spies and get arrested.
06
$1,000,000 an Hour
Synopsis currently unknown
07
Flight of the Dodo: Part 1
Despite warnings, on their way to fly a helicopter to play golf, Benson, the Governor, and Clayton run into disasterous problems with Clayton as their…
08
Flight of the Dodo: Part 2
After crash landing the helicopter in the desert, Benson, the Governor, and Clayton all struggle to survive on account of them being stranded.
09
Two Boys and Their Dog
Benson becomes involved in one of Clayton's wacky investment schemes. This one is investing in a weiner-dog to breed for puppies, but Benson grows too…
10
Last Man on Earth
After talk about Halley's comet, Karus dreams that she and Benson are the only ones left on earth.
11
Secret Love
Clayton's nomination of the Governor's budget director has a problem after it is found out that Clayton lives with a Soviet defector.
12
Summer of Discontent
Benson and the Governor seek advice from a conservationist in helping them pass some environmental legislation.
13
Parade Rest
A veteran is hired to retile the bathroom, but happens to disappear. Benson now has to investigate what happened and where his wherabouts are.
14
Reel Murder: Part 1
Actor George Kennedy's plan to film a movie in the Goveror's mansion runs into deadly problems, and turns into a lethal murder mystery.
15
Reel Murder: Part 2
With everyone's lives in danger and not much time left, they try to crack the case and survive.
16
The Hat and the Ring
Benson, convinced that the question Senator Hartford has for him is ""the"" question, runs quickly to initiate a proposal.
17
The Bucks Stop Here
Clayton has his sights on running the family fortune, until he meets his father's new, young, and pretty fiancee. Then he realizes that inheriting the…
18
Pardon Me
Benson persuades to pardon a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years.
19
Hi, Society
A conservation expert may help Benson and the Governor pass an inportant bill, but when Kraus hears of the strategy, she leaks it out to…
20
Three on a Mismatch
The Governor answers an ad from a personal's column from a magazine.
21
Friends and Enemies
With Governor Gatling's term about to close and Benson up to run for Governor, the Governor learns that he can run for yet one more…
22
And the Winner is . . .
As time is running out, Benson, the Governor, or the crooked senator will soon be out of a job. Which one? As the details come…
SERIES INFO
7
Seasons
158
Episodes
30 min/ep
Per Episode
Ended
Status
CREW
Creator
Susan Harris
Showrunner
Paul Junger Witt
Showrunner
Tony Thomas
NETWORKS (1)
ABC
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Benson about?
A butler deals with life at the governor's mansion.
Where can I watch Benson?
Benson is available on The Roku Channel, Tubi, fuboTV, CTV. Availability varies by region.
How many seasons does Benson have?
Benson has 7 seasons with 158 episodes total.
Who created Benson?
Benson was created by Susan Harris.
Who stars in Benson?
The cast of Benson includes Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson, Missy Gold, René Auberjonois.
What is the rating of Benson?
Benson has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 based on 38 votes on TMDB.
Is Benson still running?
Benson has ended. The final episode aired on .
GENRES (1)
Comedy
