The BEST episodes of Benson

Every episode of Benson ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Benson!

Butler Benson DuBois is the smartest (and possibly only sane) member of widowed Gov. Eugene Gatling's household staff. Benson always manages to keep his head, no matter what the staffers or the governor's family members throw at him. He begins his post on loan from his employer, Jessica Tate on the show "Soap," but soon wins a permanent place in the governor's staff and heart. His cool head and keen intellect are a perfect complement for the constant craziness that surrounds Gov. Gatling and his entourage.

Last Updated: 12/5/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
One Strike, You're Out
star
8.73
40 votes

#1 - One Strike, You're Out

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/27/1979

With the mansion's domestic workers on strike, the staff must take on all of the household duties.

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Just Friends
star
8.64
39 votes

#2 - Just Friends

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/3/1980

The governor woos a powerful businessman whose wife is Benson's old flame.

Directors: John Bowab
Writer: Bob Colleary
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In High Places
star
8.60
5 votes

#3 - In High Places

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/9/1981

The governor must take the reins of a plane when the pilot dies during the flight.

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No Sad Songs
star
8.57
7 votes

#4 - No Sad Songs

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/6/1981

Benson grieves the loss of his mother.

Directors: John Rich
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star
8.50
2 votes

#5 - The Endicott Dynasty

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/2/1984

Clayton's father selects Benson to run his business empire.

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star
8.50
2 votes

#6 - We Deliver

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/24/1984

Denise goes into labor while trapped in an elevator with Benson and the governor.

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The President's Double
star
8.49
68 votes

#7 - The President's Double

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/27/1979

When a visiting African president is incapacitated, Benson steps into the role and is targeted by assassins.

Writer: Tom Reeder
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Change (Pilot)
star
8.39
107 votes

#8 - Change (Pilot)

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/13/1979

Benson comes to work for Governor Gatling and helps find a way for a bridge to be built without killing beavers.

Directors: Jay Sandrich
Writer: Susan Harris
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Easy Kid Stuff
star
8.33
3 votes

#9 - Easy Kid Stuff

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/20/1981

Benson struggles with the challenge of being a substitute father for a needy boy.

Directors: John Rich
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Trust Me
star
8.25
79 votes

#10 - Trust Me

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/20/1979

Katie sneaks off to a rock concert while under Benson's watch.

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Conflict of Interest
star
8.19
31 votes

#11 - Conflict of Interest

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/1979

Governor Gatling is torn between attending Katie's school play and accepting an important political invitation.

Writer: Paul Wayne
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Clayton, Go Home
star
8.17
6 votes

#12 - Clayton, Go Home

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/13/1981

After receiving death threats, Clayton moves into the mansion.

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Kraus Affair
star
8.13
8 votes

#13 - Kraus Affair

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/31/1980

Kraus has a crush on the butcher and needs help from Benson and Marcy to reel him in.

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Chain of Command
star
8.10
10 votes

#14 - Chain of Command

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/10/1980

With the governor ill, the irritating lieutenant governor makes a play for power that the staff tries to thwart.

Directors: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Tom Reeder
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Checkmate
star
8.00
9 votes

#15 - Checkmate

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/7/1980

A young Soviet chess prodigy hides in Katie's room and nearly causes an international incident.

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star
8.00
1 votes

#16 - Embarrassing Moments

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/20/1984

Benson is pronounced "Bachelor of the Month" by a magazine.

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star
8.00
1 votes

#17 - A View from the Roof

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/18/1983

When a ladder falls, Benson and the governor are trapped on the roof of the mansion.

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star
8.00
1 votes

#18 - Half-Court Trap

Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/11/1983

Benson learns that his basketball-star nephew can hardly read or write.

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Ghost Story
star
7.95
20 votes

#19 - Ghost Story

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/6/1979

Thinking the mansion is haunted, the staff holds a seance.

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Snowbound
star
7.83
52 votes

#20 - Snowbound

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/1979

Heavy snowfall leaves the staff stuck in a cottage in the woods.

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Bugging the Governor
star
7.82
11 votes

#21 - Bugging the Governor

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/24/1980

When hidden microphones are found in the mansion, the staff plots to find the perpetrators.

Directors: Asaad Kelada
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Rivals
star
7.80
5 votes

#22 - Rivals

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/27/1981

Kraus must pretend she is the governor's wife when a lifelong rival pays a visit.

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star
7.75
8 votes

#23 - Benson's Appointment

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/6/1981

The governor promotes Benson to state budget director.

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Fireside Chat
star
7.75
4 votes

#24 - Fireside Chat

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/13/1981

While the governor makes a televised speech, Marcy and her boyfriend squabble and then announce their engagement.

Directors: John Rich
Writer: Tom Whedon
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Benson in Love
star
7.69
59 votes

#25 - Benson in Love

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/4/1979

Benson falls for an attractive senator he meets in the mansion.

Writer: Bob Colleary
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