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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Change (Pilot)

    • September 13, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E02 Trust Me

    • September 20, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E03 The President's Double

    • September 27, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E04 Benson in Love

    • October 4, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E05 Conflict of Interest

    • October 18, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E06 The Layoff

    • October 25, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    To cut spending, Benson must lay off a sweet old woman, which upsets Katie.

  • S01E07 Snowbound

    • November 1, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E08 Jessica

    • November 8, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    When the visiting Jessica Tate's elderly companion suddenly dies, Benson must help move the corpse to avoid a political scandal.

  • S01E09 Don't Quote Me

    • November 22, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    The staff tries to discover who made a disparaging comment about a state senator that has the governor on the defensive.

  • S01E10 War Stories

    • November 29, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    Benson introduces Marcy to an old army buddy, unaware his friend is married.

  • S01E11 Ghost Story

    • December 6, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E12 Taylor's Bid

    • December 13, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    Taylor quits to run for public office, but the governor finds he can't do without him.

  • S01E13 One Strike, You're Out

    • December 27, 1979
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E14 Just Friends

    • January 3, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E15 Chain of Command

    • January 10, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E16 Bugging the Governor

    • January 24, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E17 Kraus Affair

    • January 31, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E18 Checkmate

    • February 7, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E19 Cold Storage

    • February 28, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and Kraus become trapped in a freezing storage room.

  • S01E20 Old Man Gatlin'

    • March 6, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    When the governor's loudmouth father visits, it's up to Benson to keep him in check during an important speech.

  • S01E21 Power Play

    • March 20, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    A mysterious environmental activist causes trouble for the governor and his staff.

  • S01E22 Takin' It to the Streets

    • March 27, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    To connect with constituents, Governor Gatling and Benson visit a mangy bar.

  • S01E23 The Army Wants You

    • May 1, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S01E24 Marcy's Vacation

    • May 8, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    When Marcy plans her vacation, she worries her replacement may take her job.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Thick as Thieves

    • October 31, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and Kraus are held hostage during a market robbery.

  • S02E02 Benson in the Hospital

    • November 7, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Benson is hospitalized with a mysterious allergy.

  • S02E03 Fool's Gold

    • November 14, 1980
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S02E04 Masquerade

    • November 21, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Benson saves the day when a priceless gold statue becomes the target of revolutionaries from a foreign land.

  • S02E05 First Lady

    • November 28, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Katie believes her father is going to remarry without having told her first.

  • S02E06 Citizen Kraus

    • December 12, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Miss Kraus seeks to become an American citizen.

  • S02E07 Benson's Groupie

    • December 19, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Benson is relentlessly pursued by a wealthy but eccentric former lover.

  • S02E08 In High Places

    • January 9, 1981
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S02E09 Old School Ties

    • January 16, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Governor Gatling sends Katie off to boarding school but soon realizes he made a mistake.

  • S02E10 The Apartment

    • January 23, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson rents an apartment in a futile attempt to escape the madness of the mansion.

  • S02E11 Big Buddy

    • February 6, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson becomes a mentor to a boy from a broken home.

  • S02E12 Fireside Chat

    • February 13, 1981
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S02E13 Marcy's Wedding

    • February 20, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's role planning Marcy's wedding is complicated by Marcy's meddling mother.

  • S02E14 Rivals

    • February 27, 1981
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S02E15 No Sad Songs

    • March 6, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson grieves the loss of his mother.

  • S02E16 Clayton, Go Home

    • March 13, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    After receiving death threats, Clayton moves into the mansion.

  • S02E17 Easy Kid Stuff

    • March 20, 1981
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S02E18 Homework

    • April 3, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Katie's homework assignment sets the stage for vignettes about each cast member.

  • S02E19 Handwriting on the Wall

    • April 10, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    A controversial bill brings the governor strange threats.

  • S02E20 The Governor's House Call

    • May 8, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    The governor, Benson and Clayton are trapped in a bordello and must avoid being noticed.

  • S02E21 All Shook Up

    • May 15, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Taking refuge during an earthquake, Benson and Clayton get to know each other better.

  • S02E22 Lifesaver

    • May 22, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus becomes overly appreciative when Benson saves her life.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Benson's Appointment

    • November 6, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    The governor promotes Benson to state budget director.

  • S03E02 The Grass Ain't Greener

    • November 13, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson goes undercover to investigate conditions in a prison.

  • S03E03 Sit-In

    • November 27, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    In Benson's office, a conductor holds a concert in protest.

  • S03E04 Double Exposure

    • December 4, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson must help an FBI agent uncover a bribe scandal.

  • S03E05 The Lobbyist

    • December 11, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's lobbyist girlfriend poses a conflict of interest.

  • S03E06 Stress

    • December 18, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    The governor tries to alleviate tension among the staff.

  • S03E07 Rainbow's End

    • December 25, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Benson learns that his old flame is confined to a wheelchair.

  • S03E08 Once in a Blue Moon

    • January 8, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    After Clayton is assaulted, Benson approves of tighter security.

  • S03E09 Kraus Falls in Love

    • January 15, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus falls for a man she can't have.

  • S03E10 Stocks & Options

    • January 22, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    The staff dabbles in the stock market with disastrous results.

  • S03E11 Kraus's Deadly Mistake

    • February 5, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Believing she will die soon, Kraus tries to seize the day.

  • S03E12 Wild Irish Rose

    • February 12, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    A former governor visits along with his attractive niece.

  • S03E13 Street Gangs

    • February 19, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson tries to help a street gang stay out of trouble.

  • S03E14 Katie's Romance

    • February 26, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Katie develops a crush on Pete after he accompanies her to a gymnastics meet.

  • S03E15 Clayton's Condo

    • March 5, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Clayton buys an apartment building, not knowing Benson is now one of his tenants.

  • S03E16 Getting Even

    • March 12, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson concocts revenge for a wealthy investor who sexually harasses Denise.

  • S03E17 Pete the Hero

    • March 19, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Pete borrows Benson's car and gets into a wreck that leads to the capture of armed thieves.

  • S03E18 In the Red

    • March 26, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson is the victim of an IRS audit.

  • S03E19 Teed Off

    • April 2, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    A golf foursome leads to acrimony among the governor and his male assistants.

  • S03E20 The Party's Over

    • April 30, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    The governor learns his party won't support his renomination.

  • S03E21 The Lumber Mill

    • May 7, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Governor Gatling decides to run for reelection as an independent.

  • S03E22 Black Tuesday

    • May 14, 1982
    • ABC (US)

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

Season 4

  • S04E01 Death in a Funny Position (1)

    • October 22, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    A yacht cruise becomes a murder mystery when the owner of the boat is stabbed to death.

  • S04E02 Death in a Funny Position (2)

    • October 22, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    A yacht cruise becomes a murder mystery when the owner of the boat is stabbed to death.

  • S04E03 What a Revoltin' Development

    • October 29, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    While attending a conference in Latin America, Benson and Pete are kidnapped by revolutionaries.

  • S04E04 Thy Brother's Keeper

    • November 5, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's younger brother visits at the same time an important report is due.

  • S04E05 Quest for Retire

    • November 12, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    The mansion's gardener seeks Benson's help as he approaches retirement.

  • S04E06 Teacher's Pest

    • November 19, 1982
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S04E07 Benson's Army Reunion

    • November 26, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and his army buddies are surprised to hear what became of a Korean kid they befriended during the war.

  • S04E08 Benson's New Home

    • December 3, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Benson buys a house in need of many repairs from a shady real estate agent.

  • S04E09 Crimes of the Hearth

    • December 10, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    When Benson's condo is robbed, he discovers that it won't be easy to catch the crooks.

  • S04E10 Mary and Her Lambs

    • December 17, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    It's Christmas time and Benson helps an assistant cook keep her foster children.

  • S04E11 Pen Pal

    • December 31, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus' ex-convict pen pal pays a visit.

  • S04E12 The Honeymooners

    • January 7, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    When Kraus' fiancé can't make it to the wedding, Benson stands in as a substitute.

  • S04E13 Close Encounters on the Third Hole

    • January 14, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and the governor believe they saw a UFO while playing golf.

  • S04E14 Katie's Boyfriend

    • January 21, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    The governor allows Katie to go on her first date.

  • S04E15 The Royal Painting

    • January 28, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A former street gang is hired to paint the mansion for the visiting Queen of England.

  • S04E16 Boy's Night Out

    • February 4, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    The male staff members gather at Benson's for a night of fun.

  • S04E17 Family Tree

    • February 18, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and Clayton learn that they might be related to each other.

  • S04E18 Calamity Kraus

    • February 25, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus pretends to be a wealthy heiress to keep a manufacturing plant in the state.

  • S04E19 Kraus Sings the Blues

    • March 4, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson hosts a telethon and lets Kraus sing when other acts cancel out.

  • S04E20 Half-Court Trap

    • March 11, 1983
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S04E21 A View from the Roof

    • March 18, 1983
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S04E22 Love in a Funny Phase

    • March 31, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson is upset when his girlfriend Jennifer wants to date other men.

Season 5

  • S05E01 Band of Gold

    • September 16, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson, Kraus, Denise and Pete become stranded in the forest.

  • S05E02 Human Element

    • September 23, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A robot becomes an unwelcome visitor to the mansion.

  • S05E03 God, I Need This Job

    • September 30, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson communicates with Jessica Tate's ghost.

  • S05E04 Who's Arnold?

    • October 7, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson poses as Kraus' husband when her mother visits from Germany.

  • S05E05 Full Court Press

    • October 21, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Fed up with insults, Clayton drags Benson into court.

  • S05E06 Down the Drain

    • October 28, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    When Benson's sink needs attention, he summons a cranky elderly plumber.

  • S05E07 It Ain't Sheik

    • November 4, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson must convince a sheikh to bring his business to the state.

  • S05E08 You Can't Give It Away

    • November 11, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson wins the state lottery but has to donate the winnings to charity.

  • S05E09 Katie's Cookies

    • November 18, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson helps Katie win a cookie-baking contest.

  • S05E10 Labor Pains

    • November 25, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Benson must watch the baby of a neighbor who has been trapped in a snowstorm.

  • S05E11 Unlisted Love

    • December 2, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    The governor reconnects with his high-school crush.

  • S05E12 The Governor's Brain Is Missing

    • December 16, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Military agents replace Governor Gatling with a double.

  • S05E13 A Real Gone Daddy

    • December 23, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Pete revisits the beatnik culture of his youth.

  • S05E14 Too Pooped to Pip

    • January 6, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson recruits Gladys Knight and the Pips to perform on a telethon.

  • S05E15 In All the Wrong Places

    • January 13, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    A boy from Katie's school plays matchmaker with Benson and his single mother.

  • S05E16 Embarrassing Moments

    • January 20, 1984
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S05E17 Take My Life, Please

    • January 27, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    A security check of the governor's staff results in Benson being named as a spy.

  • S05E18 Beauty and the Beef

    • February 3, 1984
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S05E19 We Deliver

    • February 24, 1984
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S05E20 The Endicott Dynasty

    • March 2, 1984
    • ABC (US)

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

  • S05E21 The Little Hotel That Could

    • March 9, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus recruits Benson for help in sparing an old hotel from the wrecking ball.

  • S05E22 Let's Play Doctor

    • May 4, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    A would-be doctor who is to receive an award from the governor is exposed as a fraud.

Season 6

  • S06E01 The Scandal

    • September 21, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson discovers that the lieutenant governor is accepting bribes.

  • S06E02 The Inheritance

    • September 28, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson inherits ownership of a men's magazine.

  • S06E03 Let's Get Physical

    • October 12, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson sweats out the results of his physical.

  • S06E04 The Campaign

    • October 19, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson begins his campaign for lieutenant governor by dealing with a donor who expects political favors.

  • S06E05 The Election

    • October 26, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's fledgling campaign runs out of money.

  • S06E06 Made in Hong Kong (1)

    • November 2, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    When the governor and his staff travel to Hong Kong, Clayton is mistaken for a famous designer and is kidnapped.

  • S06E07 Made in Hong Kong (2)

    • November 9, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    In Hong Kong, Benson and the local authorities seek to rescue Clayton, Kraus and the governor from a kidnapper.

  • S06E08 Hello, We Must Be Going

    • November 16, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's plans to appoint Kraus as his assistant are thwarted.

  • S06E09 Double Date

    • November 23, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson unsuccessfully plays matchmaker for Clayton.

  • S06E10 Taking It to the Max

    • November 30, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's sister ignores his advice to be cautious with her ex-boyfriend.

  • S06E11 The Reunion

    • December 7, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson reunites with his long-lost brother and uncle.

  • S06E12 Make War, Not Love

    • December 14, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson attends a trade conference where two enemy nations declare war on each other.

  • S06E13 Home for Christmas

    • December 21, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Benson dreams of a boyhood Christmas after falling unconscious from a slip and fall.

  • S06E14 On the Road

    • January 11, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson goes in disguise to lure Kraus away from her acting aspirations.

  • S06E15 Take This Job and Love It

    • January 18, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson fights city hall over a proposed ordinance to ban breakdancing.

  • S06E16 Making Change

    • January 25, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson, Kraus, Clayton and the governor discuss the people who influenced their lives the most.

  • S06E17 Solid Gold

    • February 1, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson travels to Las Vegas and meets the Smothers Brothers.

  • S06E18 The Oval Office

    • February 8, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Summoned to the White House, Benson and the governor become trapped in the Oval Office.

  • S06E19 Mid-Life Cowboy

    • February 15, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    An exhausted Governor Gatling plays cowboy at a dude ranch to unwind.

  • S06E20 Scenario

    • February 22, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Fearing a nuclear attack, the governor and his staff retreat to a bomb shelter.

  • S06E21 Dubois: Portrait of a Politician

    • March 15, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    With the governor away on business, Benson takes control of the state government.

  • S06E22 Katie's Cousin

    • March 22, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Katie's wild cousin brings her to a bar where she is caught by Benson.

  • S06E23 The Bookburner

    • March 29, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson butts heads with a powerful senator over an education bill.

  • S06E24 Jung at Heart

    • April 5, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Passed over for a prestigious award, a delusional Clayton comes to think he is Benson.

Season 7

  • S07E01 Benson the Hero

    • October 4, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    After thwarting an armed robbery, Benson is sued by the perpetrator.

  • S07E02 Love and Politics

    • October 11, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson dangerously mixes business with pleasure when he rekindles a relationship with a female state senator.

  • S07E03 Uncle Jack

    • October 18, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson reunites Governor Gatling with his long-lost brother.

  • S07E04 The Stranger

    • October 25, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    A mysterious stranger lurks around the mansion on Halloween.

  • S07E05 We Spy

    • November 8, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    In East Germany on business, Benson and Kraus are detained and accused of spying.

  • S07E06 $1,000,000 an Hour

    • November 15, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Benson and Clayton must spend an enormous budget surplus before the waning fiscal year expires.

  • S07E07 Flight of the Dodo (1)

    • November 29, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Clayton decides to be the helicopter pilot for Benson and the governor to a golf course. Clayton loses control of the helicopter.

  • S07E08 Flight of the Dodo (2)

    • December 6, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    After crash-landing the helicopter in the desert, Benson, the Governor, and Clayton struggle to survive.

  • S07E09 Two Boys and Their Dog

    • December 13, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Clayton draws Benson into his plans to start a dog-breeding business.

  • S07E10 Last Man on Earth

    • January 3, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus dreams that a comet strike has left Benson and herself as the planet's sole survivors.

  • S07E11 Secret Love

    • January 18, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Clayton's candidacy for state budget director is threatened by his relationship with a Soviet defector.

  • S07E12 Summer of Discontent

    • January 25, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    When Benson's namesake nephew arrives for Summer, he not only changes his name from Benson to Clete, he is also irresponsible with Benson's home, car and the job Benson got him for the Summer

  • S07E13 Parade Rest

    • February 1, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    A contractor working on one of the mansion's bathrooms goes missing.

  • S07E14 Reel Murder (1)

    • February 8, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Actor George Kennedy's plans to film a movie in the mansion lead to a murder mystery.

  • S07E15 Reel Murder (2)

    • February 15, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    The staff try to solve the murder mystery before time runs out.

  • S07E16 The Hat and the Ring

    • February 22, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Benson contemplates a marriage proposal to his state senator girlfriend.

  • S07E17 The Bucks Stop Here

    • March 1, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Clayton meets the obstacle to inheriting the family fortune, his father's young and beautiful fiancée.

  • S07E18 Pardon Me

    • March 15, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Benson campaigns for a pardon for an incarcerated man who was wrongfully convicted.

  • S07E19 Hi, Society

    • March 22, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Kraus unknowingly leaks information to an influential columnist.

  • S07E20 Three on a Mismatch

    • March 29, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    The governor responds to an ad in the personals section of a magazine.

  • S07E21 Friends and Enemies

    • April 12, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Benson's gubernatorial bid pits him against Governor Gatling.

  • S07E22 And the Winner Is...

    • April 19, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    With the votes cast, Benson and Governor Gatling await the results of the gubernatorial election.

Additional Specials