[Ronald Epstein]

Emmy® Winner Robert Guillaume
Gives New Meaning to the Phrase “The Butler Did It”

BENSON:
THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

DVD Debuts July 24 Featuring 24 Episodes on Three-Discs
and Exclusive Bonus Features


Culver City, CA (May 14, 2007) – Created by television powerhouse Susan Harris (TV’s “The Golden Girls”) and starring five-time Emmy nominee Robert Guillaume, Benson: The Complete First Season makes its DVD debut on July 24 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The collection features all 24 politically-flavored episodes from the long-running comedy series’ first season in a three-disc set. The exclusive bonus materials include a video introduction by Guillaume, a Benson series retrospective, and a photo gallery. The DVD will be available for $29.95 SRP.

Robert Guillaume played one of the most popular supporting characters on Soap, as the insolent butler to wacky Jessica Tate (the brilliant Katherine Helmond, who makes a guest appearance this season). His scene-stealing portrayal of the acerbic character resulted in his winning a Best Supporting Actor Emmy (he would be nominated five more times as Best Actor, winning another statuette in 1985). ABC spun the character off into the title role in Benson, debuting on September 13, 1979. The premise entailed Jessica sending Benson off to help her inept cousin, Governor James Gatling (James Noble), run the Governor’s mansion. Other characters included Katie Gatling (Missy Gold), the governor's adorable daughter; Benson’s nemesis Gretchen Kraus (Inga Swenson), the stern German housekeeper; Marcy Hill (Caroline McWilliams), the governor's secretary; and John Taylor (Lewis J. Stadlen), the governor’s political aide.

Over the course of its 7-season, 154-episode run, Benson was nominated for a total of 17 Emmy Awards, winning three, as well as four Golden Globe nominations (including three Best Actor nods for Guillaume).

Benson: The Complete First Season episodes include:

Change (Pilot) Don't Quote Me Kraus Affair
Trust Me War Stories Checkmate
President's Double Ghost Story Cold Storage
Benson in Love Taylor's Bid Old Man Gatling
Conflict of Interest One Strike, You're Out Power Play
The Layoff Just Friends Takin' It to the Streets
Snowbound Chain of Command The Army Wants You
Jessica Bugging the Governor Marcy's Vacation


DVD Special Features Include:
Digitally Remastered Audio and Video
Full Screen Presentations
Video Introduction with Robert Guillaume
Benson Series Retrospective
Photo Gallery
Audio: English (Stereo)
Bonus Previews
Closed Captioned

BROADCAST YEAR: 1979 – 1980

[Malcolm R]

As long as it's complete, uncut, original broadcast versions...I'm there!

If it's syndicated cuts...no sale!

But this is yet another show where the "classic" cast wasn't yet there in the first season, so I hope Sony is tempering it's expectations for sales of the first season accordingly. Once Clayton and Pete show up, then the show hit its stride.

[Tony Zannikos]

Why would it be the syndicated cuts? They are releasing uncut silver spoons, why would they release syndicated versions for benson?What bothers me is this is the second press release after silver spoons, where they say exclusive bonus features and they dont mention what they are.Good times even had extras, but not mentioned on the backcover.Really strange!

[MatthewA]

What extras did Good Times have? You mean those irrelevant trailers for unrelated movies? I wouldn't call them extras.

Don't assume these are uncut until you see someone reviewing the disc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm R

As long as it's complete, uncut, original broadcast versions...I'm there!

If it's syndicated cuts...no sale!

But this is yet another show where the "classic" cast wasn't yet there in the first season, so I hope Sony is tempering it's expectations for sales of the first season accordingly. Once Clayton and Pete show up, then the show hit its stride.

They'll likely at least get to season 2 so they can hype Jerry Seinfeld's presence.

[Tony Zannikos]

Oops, Matt I meant one day at a time. I dont know why I confused it with good times.

[Shawn_C]

Great News. Benson the complete 1st season coming out in July. I can't wait.

[Bryan^H]

I wonder if we'll get a second season release? I really like this show, and season 2 has some great episodes!

[Jon Martin]

I've been enjoying watching this again too. Going through it slowly. I'd buy season two.

And Clayton hasn't even appeared! I barely remember the show without him.