The Grass Ain't Greener

**"The Grass Ain't Greener"** is the second episode of the third season, and forty-eighth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by John Rich, the episode originally aired on November 13, 1981.

## Synopsis

When The Governor is shown a report on the critical conditions within Kinsley State Penitentiary, Benson volunteers to check in the state prison as an undercover agent.

## Trivia

* This episode marks the only time where Marcy is Benson's secretary.
* This episode marks the first appearance of Benson's office as budget director.
* The transition clips of the prison were used previously in the parent series, *Soap*.
* Mad-Dog was played by Bill Duke. Bill would later go on to portray Mac in Predator six years following this episode. He would also become a known director for various films and TV shows, such as Miami Vice, Sister Act 2, and Matlock.
* The inmate that stuck Benson with a knife was played by Ralph Manza, who also appeared in the parent series as Digger and later, on an episode of *The Golden Girls*. He's most known for his roles on *Get Smart,* *Banacek,* and *Newhart*, while also appearing in various 90's sitcoms such as *The Nanny*, *Seinfeld*, and *Home Improvement*.

## Cultural References

* When Clayton asks why there isn't any coffee in the kitchen, Benson states that Juan Valdez's mule died, in reference to the mascot of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia.
* Benson mentions the super group, The Supremes.
* Benson mentions American poet, Carl Sandburg
* Axe-Man sarcastically states he was the photographer for "Chuck and Di's Wedding"; more generally known as Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
* Pete, Katie, and Kraus are seen playing the Atari 2600. Due to verbal context, the game they were playing was likely a televised spoof of *Space Invaders*.
* The Governor mentions singer *Jerry Vale* in his memory trick to remembering Benson's code name.
* In the tag scene, Kraus mentions Leonard Nimoy under the things that are unexplainable. Leonard Nimoy played Spock in the *Star Trek* franchise, marking a connection in a long list of connections that *Benson* has with the *Star Trek Franchise**.*

## Quotes

* **Pete:** \*mumbles with food in mouth\*
* **Clayton:** Peter, would you please not talk with your mouth full? It looks like the sink backed up.

* **Mad-Dog:** What new pair? I ain't got no new pair. These are the same lousy shoes I done had for 2 years.
* **Benson:** Well wait a minute now. We're supposed to get a new pair of shoes every 6 months.
* **Mad-Dog:** What are you? A jailhouse lawyer?

* **Benson:** Sub-standard food. Inedible food. Bad food. Garbage.

* **Benson:** I'm not who you think I am, I'm an undercover budget director!
* **Axe-Man:** You expect me to believe that?
* **Benson:** You're right, that's the first time I've heard it said out loud.

* **Governor:** It's our responsibility to treat you like a human being whether you act like one or not.

* **Governor**: Harry, is that you?
* **Dr. Death**: I was kind of hoping you wouldn't recognize me, Gene.
* **Benson**: You know him?
* **Governor**: Sure, he used to work for me back at the mill.
* **Governor**: That wasn't a very nice thing you did with that chain saw.