References to Benson In Other Media

Mentions, references, or jokes in outside sources regarding the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

## Everybody Hates Chris

* In the episode "Everybody Hates Tattaglia" of the CW sitcom, "*Everybody Hates Chris*", when trying to figure out who Danny Glover is, Chris asks if he played Benson. Rochelle then replies, "No, that was Robert Guillaume."

## Family Feud

* The cast of Benson played against the cast of *One Day at a Time* in 1979 on a special All Star Family Feud.

* The cast of Benson played on a special All Star Family Feud] for charity against the cast of *Dallas* in 1980.

All Star Family Feud Special (-8)- March 29, 1980 (Dallas, Benson, WKRP, & Angie)
* Missy Gold also played on Super Teen Family Feud in 1984

All Star Family Feud ABC Daytime November 1984 Richard Dawson
## Family Guy

* In the Season 4 episode, "Don't Make Me Over", when trying to get the attention of an African American record executive, Brian states "Boy, *Benson* was a funny show."

* In the beginning of the Season 11 *Family Guy* episode, "*Call Girl*", Chris builds a birdhouse and Brian points out that it looks like the Governor's Mansion from *Benson*. Chris then says that he's fond of the series and wanted the birds to be aware of that. Chris offers Peter to come outside with him to get the birds to reenact the plot of the Benson episode, "Conflict of Interest", with Peter replying, "Yay! Scattered brained Governor."

## The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

* In the NBC sitcom, Will occasionally refers to Geoffrey, the snarky butler, as Benson throughout the series.

## The Golden Girls

* In the Season 1 episode, "Blind Ambitions", because of the poor TV reception, Sophia says, "I thought Benson was having an affair with Miss Ellie," in reference to Miss Ellie from *Dynasty* and Benson from *Benson.*
	+ At the time of this episode's airing, *Benson* was still running it's final Season, marking the only time both of the Susan Harris sitcoms would air alongside each other. *Benson* and *The* *Golden Girls* also shared plenty of sets and guest stars, similar to most *Witt/Thomas* sitcoms, and would both pan out at seven Seasons in total.

## I Love the 80's Strikes Back: 1981

* Benson was looked at in retrospect by various celebrities such as *Tracey Gold*, *Flavor Flav*, *Loni Love*, *The Black Eyed Peas,* and others*.*

## In Living Color

* In the Season 5 episode of the FOX sketch comedy, "East Hollywood Squares", Robert Guillaume is portrayed as one of the contestants and is mentioned as "The star of television's *Benson"*.

## Life's Most Embarrassing Moments

* *Life's Most Embarrassing Moments* was a series of television comedy specials on ABC primarily featuring "blooper" outtakes of celebrity mishaps. One of the specials, with René Auberjonois, featured outtakes and bloopers from seasons 3-4 of Benson.

## MAD Magazine

* Governor Gatling was depicted in a July 1980 issue of MAD Magazine.

## Mad Men

* In 2013, Youtuber, *WackyHijinxTv* created a mashup of the AMC drama series, *Mad Men,* in the format of the opening sequence of *Benson,* revolving around the *Mad Men* character, *Bob Benson.* In 2014, Youtuber, *TheGeoffMan,* created a similar mashup, this time revolving around the lead character of the AMC series, *Don Draper.* The mashups have since been noted by *The Huffington Post, Jon Hamm (*who played Don Draper), and fans of both series.

## The Muppets (2011)

* In the film, Veronica says that if the Muppet Telethon doesn't have a celebrity host, she might replace it with reruns of *Benson.*

## Music

* The theme song to Benson was sampled in the song "*I'm From the Ghetto*" by rapper Ali Vegas off of his 2001 album, *Generational Gap*.
* The Theme song is featured in various Classic TV theme song compilation albums.

## The Nanny

* In the Season 2 episode of *The Nanny,* "When You Pish Upon a Star", Niles, the wisecracking butler, states that he's only fond of sitcoms where the butler is the smartest and mentions *Benson,* and *Mr. Belvedere*; which aired alongside *Benson* on ABC.
* In the Season 2 episode, "Lamb Chop's On the Menu", Maxwell invites guest star Shari Lewis as Lamb Chop to stay at his house. After Niles, the butler, makes a smart remark towards Lamb Chop, she replies by saying "I work alone, Benson!" in reference to both characters being wisecracking butlers.

## The Steve Harvey Show

* In the Season 2 of episode *The Steve Harvey Show*, "The He-Man, Player-Hater's Club", Steve and Cedric are up for membership in a men's club, where they'll be "rubbing elbows with Chicago's business elite". Steve and Cedric are greeted by a butler who says, "Do make yourself at home, but not too much at home." Steve then replies, "What do you mean by that, Benson?"
* In the season 5 episode, "Addicted to Love or Whatnot" Steve gets a date with a girl by telling her he's the governor. As his date is on the way, one of his old band members, Clyde, shows up in his apartment. When his date finally arrives Steve introduces Clyde as "Lieutenant Governor, Benson", before his date cancels.
	+ Additionally Winifred Hervey, a writer and producer on *Benson*, created *The Steve Harvey Show*.