Benson

Name: Benson
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson, Caroline McWilliams, Missy Gold

1979·Show

·158Episodes in7Seasons·

Comedy

MediocreGoodWatch score

Benson fingerprint

Funny, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Fast Pace6
Tension2
Spectacle2

Heart

Heartwarming and hopeful

Wholesome9
Hopefulness8
Nostalgia8

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and sharp wit

Situational Comedy9
Wit & Wordplay7
Satire & Parody6

World

Everyday modern life and politics

Holds up on a rewatch.

Dialogue Centrality8
Rewatchability8
World Immersion6

Craft

Standout performances and dialogue

Acting8
Dialogue Quality8
Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

Editing6
Music Composition6
Cinematography5

Energy

Low

Calm and low-key

Benson is calm and low-intensity.

Funny shows Nostalgic shows

All energy traits

Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
Tension2Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
Spectacle2Scale and set-piece grandeur.

Adrenaline1High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
Violence1Physical conflict and intensity.
Scare0Frightening moments and scares.

Heart

Low

Heartwarming and hopeful

Emotionally, it's heartwarming, hopeful, and nostalgic.

Funny shows Nostalgic shows

All heart traits

Wholesome9Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Hopefulness8Optimism and uplifting resolve.
Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.

Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
Pathos3Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Melancholy2Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.

Related traits

Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.

Humor

High

Plenty of situational comedy and sharp wit

Expect plenty of situational comedy and sharp wit.

More shows with high humor Funny shows

All humor traits

Situational Comedy9Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
Wit & Wordplay7Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
Satire & Parody6Sharp critique and playful imitation.
Physical Comedy5Slapstick and visual gags.

Absurdist Humor3Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
Dark Humor1Humor from taboo or grim topics.

Related traits

Wholesome9Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.

World

Medium

Everyday modern life and politics

Holds up on a rewatch.

Its world is built around everyday modern life and politics. It holds up on a rewatch.

More shows with medium world Nostalgic shows

All world traits

Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Rewatchability8Invites repeat viewing.
World Immersion6Depth and sensory richness of setting.

Novelty2Fresh ideas and invention.
Ambiguity1Open-endedness and uncertainty.

Related traits

Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
Politics7Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.

Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
Social Commentary5Perspectives on society and norms.

Craft

Medium

Standout performances and dialogue

The performances and dialogue stand out.

More shows with medium craft

All craft traits

Acting8Performance craft and presence.
Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.

Complexity4Layered plots and ideas.
Intrigue3Curiosity and investigative pull.
Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.

Related traits

Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.

Style

Medium

Functional look and sound

The look and sound stay functional.

More shows with medium style

All style traits

Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
Cinematography5Visual composition and camera work.

Music Centrality4The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Visual Stylization3Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Sound Centrality3Sound design as core element.

Related traits

Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
Season	Episode 1	Episode 2	Episode 3	Episode 4	Episode 5	Episode 6	Episode 7	Episode 8	Episode 9	Episode 10	Episode 11	Episode 12	Episode 13	Episode 14	Episode 15	Episode 16	Episode 17	Episode 18	Episode 19	Episode 20	Episode 21	Episode 22	Episode 23	Episode 24

IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22
Episode 23
Episode 24

About

A butler deals with life at the governor's mansion.

Classic Sitcom ComfortPolitical Satire LiteCharming Character DynamicsRobert Guillaume's Star TurnWholesome Family ViewingNostalgic 80s AestheticWitty Dialogue & BanterLow-Stakes DramaServant-Master Bond

Crew

Directed by:

John Rich, Rob Dames, Jay Sandrich

Written by:

Rob Dames, Bob Fraser, Terry Grossman

Produced by:

Tony Thomas, Paul Junger Witt, Susan Harris

Composed by:

George Aliceson Tipton

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Benson

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Benson legally?

fuboTV

The Roku

Tubi TV

Benson is included with a subscription to fuboTV in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Benson worth watching?

MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 48/100 (IMDb 7.2). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How many seasons does Benson have?

7 seasons

It has 7 seasons with 158 episodes of about 30 minutes each.

When did Benson air?

S1S2S3S4S5S6S7

It ran from 1979 to 1986 and has ended.

What language is Benson in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Benson?

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Benson in 5 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Benson use?

Treasure Hunt EpisodeBreakout CharacterSpy SpeakImprovised WeaponChuck Cunningham SyndromeTime Zone TroublesTrash TalkRequired Spinoff CrossoverLocked in a RoomNo Party GivenReplaced with ReplicaFluffy Tamerand 68 more

TV Tropes lists 80 storytelling tropes for Benson, including Treasure Hunt Episode, Breakout Character, Spy Speak.

Benson

WatchWhere to watch

Benson fingerprint

⚡Energy

❤️Heart

🎭Humor

🌍World

🛠️Craft

🎨Style

⚡Energy

All energy traits

❤️Heart

All heart traits

Related traits

🎭Humor

All humor traits

Related traits

🌍World

All world traits

Related traits

🛠️Craft

All craft traits

Related traits

🎨Style

All style traits

Related traits

Who it's for

Skip it if

Find more like it

Episode ratings

About

Actors

Crew

Titles like Benson

Sequels and Prequels

Media

Questions about Benson

Where can I stream Benson legally?

Is Benson worth watching?

How many seasons does Benson have?

When did Benson air?

What language is Benson in?

In how many countries can I watch Benson?

What tropes does Benson use?

Energy

Heart

Humor

World

Craft

Style

Energy

Heart

Humor

World

Craft

Style