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: 9/29/2025Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
star
10.00
1 votes

#1 - Friends and Enemies

Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/12/1986

Benson's gubernatorial bid pits him against Governor Gatling.

Watch Now:Amazon
One Strike, You're Out
star
8.75
40 votes

#2 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon
No Sad Songs
star
8.75
8 votes

#3 - No Sad Songs

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

Benson grieves the loss of his mother.

Directors: John Rich
Watch Now:Amazon
Just Friends
star
8.68
40 votes

#4 - 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
Watch Now:Amazon
The President's Double
star
8.53
64 votes

#5 - 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
Watch Now:Amazon
In High Places
star
8.50
6 votes

#6 - 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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star
8.50
2 votes

#7 - Double Date

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/23/1984

Benson unsuccessfully plays matchmaker for Clayton.

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Change (Pilot)
star
8.34
101 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
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.33
3 votes

#9 - Beauty and the Beef

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/3/1984

Benson judges a beauty pageant and must resist the persuasive pleas of both Clayton and Governor Gatling.

Directors: Bill Foster
Watch Now:Amazon
Trust Me
star
8.28
78 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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star
8.25
4 votes

#11 - Teacher's Pest

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/19/1982

Benson tutors Kraus in economics to prepare her for a test.

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star
8.25
4 votes

#12 - 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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Kraus Affair
star
8.22
9 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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Checkmate
star
8.20
10 votes

#14 - 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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Conflict of Interest
star
8.18
28 votes

#15 - 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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Chain of Command
star
8.10
10 votes

#16 - 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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Bugging the Governor
star
8.00
12 votes

#17 - 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
Watch Now:Amazon
Fool's Gold
star
8.00
8 votes

#18 - Fool's Gold

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/14/1980

The staff goes on a frantic search for gold that may be hidden in the mansion.

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Citizen Kraus
star
8.00
6 votes

#19 - Citizen Kraus

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/12/1980

Miss Kraus seeks to become an American citizen.

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Easy Kid Stuff
star
8.00
4 votes

#20 - 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
Watch Now:Amazon
Ghost Story
star
7.88
17 votes

#21 - Ghost Story

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

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

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star
7.83
6 votes

#22 - Black Tuesday

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/14/1982

The governor's reelection campaign appears to have ended in failure.

Directors: John Rich
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The Army Wants You
star
7.80
15 votes

#23 - The Army Wants You

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/1/1980

Benson learns that his military unit was the subject of germ warfare testing.

Directors: Tony Mordente
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Rivals
star
7.80
5 votes

#24 - 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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Snowbound
star
7.80
54 votes

#25 - 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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