One of the saner characters from that long-running spoof soap opera was Benson (Robert Guillaume), the sardonic but reliable butler for the dysfunctional Tate family. Benson took his duties seriously, once even tripping up a family member who attempted to answer the door, and pushing him to the ground saying "That's my job." So it is quite appropriate that Benson is later promoted, both in terms of being given his own series (called simply "Benson") and working in an even grander household.
The setting for this 1981-84 series is the household of State Governor Gatling (James Noble.) As in "Soap," Benson soon becomes the mainstay of the family, dealing capably with the inept governor, his difficult daughter and frightening housekeeper. As the series progresses, he moves up from being a butler and enters politics on his own account, eventually challenging Gatling for the Governorship – at that time it was still rare to see a black actor in a senior role.
The setting for this 1981-84 series is the household of State Governor Gatling (James Noble.) As in "Soap," Benson soon becomes the mainstay of the family, dealing capably with the inept governor, his difficult daughter and frightening housekeeper. As the series progresses, he moves up from being a butler and enters politics on his own account, eventually challenging Gatling for the Governorship – at that time it was still rare to see a black actor in a senior role.
