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Parents' Guide to

Benson

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Classic '80s sitcom about political housekeeping.

Benson Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

age 8+

one of TV's best sitcoms

Benson is generally an excellent and funny show. Unlike the parent show Soap it spun off from, almost all of the episodes are family friendly. The two exceptions are the episode where they end up in a bordello and the episode where Benson inherits a dirty magazine company. While season 1 was good, seasons 2-5 are top notch with the addition of recently deceased Rene Auberjonois as Clayton Endicott III. He takes over the role Taylor played in season 1, but more interesting. Benson, Kraus, and dim witted but gentle Governor Gatling are fantastic characters. Seasons 6 and 7 are not as good when the governor becomes meaner after Benson becomes lieutenant governor.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Overall, Benson is smart and honorable, and he can be viewed as a positive role model. But no matter how successful he becomes, it's hard to forget that the show's original premise is embedded in Hollywood's early stereotypical portrayals of African-Americans as domestic servants. These competing cultural representations create a tension that's easily (but perhaps unfortunately) overlooked due to Benson's distinguished and intellectual behavior and the show's high entertainment value.

TV Details

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