Benson Episode Guide

1 :01x01 - Pilot

First aired: Sep/13/1979
Writer: Susan Harris
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: Norman Bartold (Mr. Nettleson)

In the pilot episode, Jessica Tate's butler Benson helps out her cousin Gene Gatling, who is the state governor. Benson's first task is to help a huge company build a bridge without killing the beavers.

2 :01x02 - Trust Me

First aired: Sep/20/1979
Writer: Tom Reeder, Lee Maddux
Director: Peter Baldwin
Guest star: René Enríquez (Raul)

Katie attends a rock concert even though her father told her not to and left Benson in charge. So Benson, afraid Katie won't come home, applies for another job.

3 :01x03 - The President's Double

First aired: Sep/27/1979
Writer: Tom Reeder
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: Mel Stewart (Loromo), Wendell Wright (Caldwell)

Benson has to go undercover as an African president in order to catch an assassin.

4 :01x04 - Benson in Love

First aired: Oct/04/1979
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: Peter Baldwin
Guest star: Beverly Todd (Senator Francine Wade)

Benson falls head-over-heals for a state Senator.

5 :01x05 - Conflict of Interest

First aired: Oct/18/1979
Writer: Paul Wayne
Director: Jay Sandrich

When a presidential invitation arrives, Katie becomes upset when it falls on the same date has her school play.

6 :01x06 - The Layoff

First aired: Oct/25/1979
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: Peter Baldwin
Guest star: Meg Wyllie (Miss Ellie), Larry Hankin (Electrician)

Benson is put in a tough position when he is forced to layoff mansion staffers.

7 :01x07 - Snowbound

First aired: Nov/01/1979
Writer: Susan Harris, Stu Silver
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: Jerry Houser (Marvin), Barbara Sammeth (Harriett)

Following a heavy snowstorm, the governor and his staff are trapped in a remote mountain lodge.

8 :01x08 - Jessica

First aired: Nov/08/1979
Writer: Tom Reeder, R.J. Colleary
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: Katherine Helmond (Jessica Tate)

While having a visit with Jessica Tate, a baron dies.

9 :01x09 - Don't Quote Me

First aired: Nov/22/1979
Writer: Tom Reeder
Director: Peter Baldwin

A conversation the governor has in private is leaked to the press.

10 :01x10 - War Stories

First aired: Nov/29/1979
Writer: Mike Weinberger
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: Mark Goddard (Eddie)

Marcy falls for Benson's Korean War buddy.

11 :01x11 - Ghost Story

First aired: Dec/06/1979
Writer: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin
Director: Tony Mordente

The mansion is haunted by the ghost of a former governor.

12 :01x12 - Taylor's Bid

First aired: Dec/13/1979
Writer: Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy
Director: John Bowab

Taylor decides to run for state office.

13 :01x13 - One Strike, You're Out

First aired: Dec/27/1979
Writer: Warren S. Murray
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest star: G. W. Bailey (Gus), René Enríquez (Raul), Robert Karnes (Keller)

The mansion staff decides to go on strike.

14 :01x14 - Just Friends

First aired: Jan/03/1980
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: John Bowab
Guest star: Roscoe Lee Browne (Howard Walker), Denise Nicholas (Carol Walker)

When the husband of one of Benson's former love interests learns of their time together, he becomes jealous of Benson.

15 :01x15 - Chain of Command

First aired: Jan/10/1980
Writer: Tom Reeder
Director: Asaad Kelada
Guest star: David Ruprecht (Sherman)

Following an incident, the lieutenant governor takes over.

16 :01x16 - Bugging the Governor

First aired: Jan/24/1980
Writer: Bernard Dilbert
Director: Asaad Kelada
Guest star: Joel Brooks (Harwell), Richard Stahl (Miles Gordon)

Benson becomes a key player in uncovering a wiretapper's blackmail scheme.

17 :01x17 - Kraus Affair

First aired: Jan/31/1980
Writer: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin
Director: Tony Mordente
Guest star: Stephen Pearlman (Larry)

Marcy and Benson play Cupid to Kraus and the butcher.

18 :01x18 - Checkmate

First aired: Feb/07/1980
Writer: R.J. Colleary, Tom Reeder
Director: Tony Mordente
Guest star: Michael Bell (Petrov), Meeno Peluce (Alexi)

Katie takes in and hides a runaway Soviet chess genius.

19 :01x19 - Cold Storage

First aired: Feb/28/1980
Writer: Jim Tisdale
Director: John Bowab

Benson and Kraus are trapped together in the cold storage room.

20 :01x20 - Old Man Gatlin'

First aired: Mar/06/1980
Writer: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin
Director: John Bowab
Guest star: David Huddleston (Gibson Gatling)

The governor's father, Old Man Gatling, comes to the mansion for a visit.

21 :01x21 - Power Play

First aired: Mar/20/1980
Writer: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin
Director: John Tracy
Guest star: Art Metrano (Captain Bates), Steven Peterman (El Gato/Mr. Ludwig)

The mansion is invaded by a masked environmentalist, creating a chaotic scene.

22 :01x22 - Takin' It to the Streets

First aired: Mar/27/1980
Writer: Shelley Zellman, Wally Dalton
Director: Tony Mordente
Guest star: Kene Holliday (Jake), Les Lannom (Bulldog), Ralph Manza (Crazy), George Pentecost (Wesley Corbett)

Benson and the governor head out to a bar in order to hear the voice of the public.

23 :01x23 - The Army Wants You

First aired: May/01/1980
Writer: Paul J. Raley
Director: Tony Mordente
Guest star: Marshall Thompson (General), Raymond Singer (Harmon), Anthony Charnota (Sergeant)

Benson finds out that during his time in the Army while in Korea, he was involved in an Army germ-warfare experiment.

24 :01x24 - Marcy's Vacation

First aired: May/08/1980
Writer: Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer
Director: Don Barnhart
Guest star: Murphy Cross (Lorraine)

Marcy feels threatened when a temporary worker outshines the rest of the staff.

25 :02x01 - Thick as Thieves

First aired: Oct/31/1980
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Clyde Kusatsu (Stan), Mitchell Group (Willard)

Benson and Kraus are taken hostage by a band of thieves.

26 :02x02 - Benson in the Hospital

First aired: Nov/07/1980
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

Benson is sent to the hospital after suffering a mysterious ailment.

27 :02x03 - Fool's Gold

First aired: Nov/14/1980
Writer: R.J. Colleary, Tom Whedon
Director: John Rich

Benson goes on a treasure hunt after finding a note about hidden gold in the mansion.

28 :02x04 - Masquerade

First aired: Nov/21/1980
Writer: Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Luis Avalos (Alonzo), Julio Medina (Corzo), Carlos Rivas (Howard)

Benson becomes mixed up in a plot where revolutionaries are planning on stealing a national treasure.

29 :02x05 - First Lady

First aired: Nov/28/1980
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Barbara Babcock (Lily Maxwell), Alex Henteloff (Ralph Krupnick)

Katie gets wind of a rumor that her father may be getting married.

30 :02x06 - Citizen Kraus

First aired: Dec/12/1980
Writer: Len Riley, Bud Slocomb
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Ray Stewart (Mr. Pruitt), Jerry Seinfeld (Frankie)

Benson helps Kraus become an American citizen.

31 :02x07 - Benson's Groupie

First aired: Dec/19/1980
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Beverly Todd (Casey Turner), Jerry Seinfeld (Frankie)

Benson has a summer romance.

32 :02x08 - In High Places

First aired: Jan/09/1981
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Myron Natwick (The Pilot)

The governor is forced to land a plane after the pilot dies.

33 :02x09 - Old School Ties

First aired: Jan/16/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Dorothy Green (Libby Gatling)

The governor's sister comes for a visit and recommends that they send Katie to boarding school.

34 :02x10 - The Apartment

First aired: Jan/23/1981
Writer: Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer
Director: John Rich

Despite getting his own apartment, Benson has little privacy.

35 :02x11 - Big Buddy

First aired: Feb/06/1981
Writer: R.J. Colleary, Tom Whedon
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Wendell Wright (Hopkins), Ben Piazza (Grunning)

Benson decides to take part in the "Big Buddy" program and becomes the buddy to a defensive boy.

36 :02x12 - Fireside Chat

First aired: Feb/13/1981
Writer: Tom Whedon
Director: John Rich

The governor decides to have a televised fireside chat, but everything quickly goes awry.

37 :02x13 - Marcy's Wedding

First aired: Feb/20/1981
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: John Rich
Guest star: William Bogert (minister), Robert Rockwell (Uncle Henry)

Marcy's getting married, but her mother does everything she can to take charge of the ceremony.

38 :02x14 - Rivals

First aired: Feb/27/1981
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: John Rich

Kraus lies to a childhood friend that she is the governor's wife.

39 :02x15 - No Sad Songs

First aired: Mar/06/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich

40 :02x16 - Clayton, Go Home

First aired: Mar/13/1981
Writer: R.J. Colleary, Tom Whedon
Director: John Rich

41 :02x17 - Easy Kid Stuff

First aired: Mar/20/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Wendell Wright (Hopkins)

42 :02x18 - Homework

First aired: Apr/03/1981
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: John Rich

43 :02x19 - Handwriting on the Wall

First aired: Apr/10/1981
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

44 :02x20 - The Governor's House Call

First aired: May/08/1981
Writer: R.J. Colleary, Tom Whedon
Director: John Rich

45 :02x21 - All Shook Up

First aired: May/15/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich

46 :02x22 - Lifesaver

First aired: May/22/1981
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

47 :03x01 - Benson's Appointment

First aired: Nov/06/1981
Writer: Norman Barasch, R.J. Colleary
Director: John Rich

48 :03x02 - The Grass Ain't Greener

First aired: Nov/13/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich

49 :03x03 - Sit-In

First aired: Nov/27/1981
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

50 :03x04 - Double Exposure

First aired: Dec/04/1981
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: John Rich

51 :03x05 - The Lobbyist

First aired: Dec/11/1981
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: John Rich

52 :03x06 - Stress

First aired: Dec/18/1981
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames, Michael J. Weithorn
Director: John Rich

53 :03x07 - Rainbow's End

First aired: Dec/25/1981
Writer: Russ Woody
Director: John Rich

54 :03x08 - Once in a Blue Moon

First aired: Jan/08/1982
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich

55 :03x09 - Kraus Falls in Love

First aired: Jan/15/1982
Writer: Korby Siamis
Director: John Rich

56 :03x10 - Stocks & Options

First aired: Jan/22/1982
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: John Rich

57 :03x11 - Kraus's Deadly Mistake

First aired: Feb/05/1982
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

58 :03x12 - Wild Irish Rose

First aired: Feb/12/1982
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: John Rich

59 :03x13 - Street Gangs

First aired: Feb/19/1982
Writer: David Langston Smyrl
Director: John Rich

60 :03x14 - Katie's Romance

First aired: Feb/26/1982
Director: Linda Day

61 :03x15 - Clayton's Condo

First aired: Mar/05/1982
Writer: Rich Reinhart
Director: John Rich

62 :03x16 - Getting Even

First aired: Mar/12/1982
Director: John Rich

63 :03x17 - Pete the Hero

First aired: Mar/19/1982
Writer: Russ Woody, Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: John Rich
Guest star: Norman Bartold (Taylor)

64 :03x18 - In the Red

First aired: Mar/26/1982
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: John Rich

65 :03x19 - Teed Off

First aired: Apr/02/1982
Writer: Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer
Director: John Rich

66 :03x20 - The Party's Over

First aired: Apr/30/1982
Director: John Rich

67 :03x21 - The Lumber Mill

First aired: May/07/1982
Director: John Rich

68 :03x22 - Black Tuesday

First aired: May/14/1982
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: John Rich

69 :04x01 - Death in a Funny Position (1)

First aired: Oct/22/1982
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: Bill Foster

70 :04x02 - Death in a Funny Position (2)

First aired: Oct/22/1982
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: Bill Foster

71 :04x03 - What a Revoltin' Development

First aired: Oct/29/1982
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Henry Darrow (Generalissimo)

At a conference in Latin America, Benson and Pete (Robert Guillaume, Ethan Phillips) are kidnapped by revolutionaries, who figure to exchange them for six U.S. jet fighters.

72 :04x04 - Thy Brother's Keeper

First aired: Nov/05/1982
Director: Tony Singletary

73 :04x05 - Quest for Retire

First aired: Nov/12/1982
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Judyann Elder (Unknown)

74 :04x06 - Teacher's Pest

First aired: Nov/19/1982
Director: Bill Foster

75 :04x07 - Benson's Army Reunion

First aired: Nov/26/1982
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Bill Henderson (Jay)

76 :04x08 - Benson's New Home

First aired: Dec/03/1982
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Terence McGovern (Walter), Barney Martin (Frank Cooper), Rick Fitts (Mr. Frances)

77 :04x09 - Crimes of the Hearth

First aired: Dec/10/1982
Director: Bill Foster

78 :04x10 - Mary and Her Lambs

First aired: Dec/17/1982
Writer: Bob Fraser
Director: Rob Dames

79 :04x11 - Pen Pal

First aired: Dec/31/1982
Director: Bill Foster

80 :04x12 - The Honeymooners

First aired: Jan/07/1983
Director: Gary Brown

81 :04x13 - Close Encounters on the Third Hole

First aired: Jan/14/1983
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: Bill Foster

82 :04x14 - Katie's Boyfriend

First aired: Jan/21/1983
Director: Mark Warren
Guest star: Billy Jayne (Buzzy Sheridan (as Billy Jacoby))

83 :04x15 - The Royal Painting

First aired: Jan/28/1983
Director: Bill Foster

84 :04x16 - Boy's Night Out

First aired: Feb/04/1983
Director: Bill Foster

85 :04x17 - Family Tree

First aired: Feb/18/1983
Writer: Bill Foster

86 :04x18 - Calamity Kraus

First aired: Feb/25/1983
Director: Bill Foster

87 :04x19 - Kraus Sings the Blues

First aired: Mar/04/1983
Director: Bill Foster

88 :04x20 - Half-Court Trap

First aired: Mar/11/1983
Director: Bill Foster

89 :04x21 - A View From the Roof

First aired: Mar/18/1983
Director: Bill Foster

90 :04x22 - Love in a Funny Phase

First aired: Mar/31/1983
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: Linda Day
Guest star: Lynne Moody (Jennifer), Peter Elbling (waiter), Vivian Brown (Lady Bartlett)

91 :05x01 - Band of Gold

First aired: Sep/16/1983
Director: Bill Foster

92 :05x02 - Human Element

First aired: Sep/23/1983
Director: Gary Brown

93 :05x03 - God, I Need This Job

First aired: Sep/30/1983
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Katherine Helmond (Jessica Tate)

94 :05x04 - Who's Arnold?

First aired: Oct/07/1983
Director: Bill Foster

95 :05x05 - Full Court Press

First aired: Oct/21/1983
Writer: Bill Boulware
Director: Katherine Helmond

96 :05x06 - Down the Drain

First aired: Oct/28/1983
Director: Bill Foster

97 :05x07 - It Ain't Sheik

First aired: Nov/04/1983
Director: Bill Foster

98 :05x08 - You Can't Give It Away

First aired: Nov/11/1983
Director: Rob Dames

99 :05x09 - Katie's Cookies

First aired: Nov/18/1983
Writer: Barry Fanaro
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: William Smith (Page), Danny Kwan (Zhang)

100 :05x10 - Labor Pains

First aired: Nov/25/1983
Director: Gary Brown

101 :05x11 - Unlisted Love

First aired: Dec/02/1983
Director: Gary Brown

102 :05x12 - The Governor's Brain is Missing

First aired: Dec/16/1983
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: Bill Foster
Guest star: Phillip Richard Allen (Collins)

103 :05x13 - A Real Gone Daddy

First aired: Dec/23/1983
Writer: Daryl G. Nickens
Director: Ellen Gittelsohn

104 :05x14 - Too Pooped to Pip

First aired: Jan/06/1984
Director: Gary Brown, Mark Warren
Guest star: Gladys Knight & The Pips (Themselves)

105 :05x15 - In All the Wrong Places

First aired: Jan/13/1984
Director: Gary Brown

106 :05x16 - Embarrassing Moments

First aired: Jan/20/1984
Writer: Scott Rubenstein, Debra Frank
Director: Bill Foster

107 :05x17 - Take My Life, Please

First aired: Jan/27/1984
Writer: Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro
Director: Gary Brown
Guest star: James P. Hackett (Bartlett)

108 :05x18 - Beauty and the Beef

First aired: Feb/03/1984
Writer: Winifred Hervey
Director: Bill Foster

109 :05x19 - We Deliver

First aired: Feb/24/1984
Director: Bill Foster

110 :05x20 - The Endicott Dynasty

First aired: Mar/02/1984
Writer: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
Director: Bill Foster

111 :05x21 - The Little Hotel That Could

First aired: Mar/09/1984
Director: Katherine Helmond

112 :05x22 - Let's Play Doctor

First aired: May/04/1984
Director: Gary Brown
Guest star: Danny Thomas (Charlie), Timothy Brown (Lt. Reagan)

113 :06x01 - The Scandal

First aired: Sep/21/1984
Writer: Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro
Director: Gary Brown

114 :06x02 - The Inheritance

First aired: Sep/28/1984
Writer: Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer
Director: Gary Brown

115 :06x03 - Let's Get Physical

First aired: Oct/12/1984
Writer: Robin Pennington
Director: Bill Foster

116 :06x04 - The Campaign

First aired: Oct/19/1984
Writer: Bill Boulware
Director: Gary Brown

117 :06x05 - The Election

First aired: Oct/26/1984
Writer: Winifred Hervey
Director: Gary Brown

118 :06x06 - Made in Hong Kong (1)

First aired: Nov/02/1984
Writer: Bob Fraser, Rob Dames
Director: Bill Foster

119 :06x07 - Made in Hong Kong (2)

First aired: Nov/09/1984
Writer: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser
Director: Bill Foster

120 :06x08 - Hello, We Must Be Going

First aired: Nov/16/1984
Writer: Bill Boulware
Director: Gary Brown

121 :06x09 - Double Date

First aired: Nov/23/1984
Director: Gilbert Moses

122 :06x10 - Taking it to the Max

First aired: Nov/30/1984
Writer: Winifred Hervey
Director: Rob Dames

123 :06x11 - The Reunion

First aired: Dec/07/1984
Writer: Winifred Hervey
Director: Gilbert Moses
Guest star: Julius Harris (Uncle Buster), Helen Martin (Aunt Lil)

124 :06x12 - Make War, Not Love

First aired: Dec/14/1984
Writer: Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro
Director: Katherine Helmond

125 :06x13 - Home for Christmas

First aired: Dec/21/1984
Writer: R.J. Colleary
Director: Bill Foster

126 :06x14 - On the Road

First aired: Jan/11/1985
Director: Bill Foster

127 :06x15 - Take This Job and Love It

First aired: Jan/18/1985
Writer: Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro
Director: Bill Foster

128 :06x16 - Making Change

First aired: Jan/25/1985
Writer: Winifred Hervey
Director: Rob Dames

129 :06x17 - Solid Gold

First aired: Feb/01/1985
Writer: Bill Boulware
Director: Gary Brown
Guest star: Tom Smothers (Elevator Musician), Bobby Vinton (Himself), Marty Allen (Blackjack Dealer)