Death in a Funny Position

**"Death in a Funny Position"** is the first and second episode of the fourth season, and sixty-ninth, and seventieth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by Bill Foster, the episodes originally aired on October 22nd, 1982.

## Synopsis

A yacht cruise vacation quickly becomes a murder mystery for The Governor and his staff when the owner of the boat is stabbed to death.

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first two part episode of the series.
* This was the first episode of the series to be nominated for an Emmy Award.
* Musker was played by Michael Constantine. Michael would go on to be best known for his portrayal of Gus in the 2002 hit film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
* Nash was played by Ron Carey, who's best known for portraying Officer Carl Levitt on the fellow ABC sitcom, *Barney Miller,* which had just aired it's final episode 5 months prior to this episode's airing.
* Roy was played by Tab Hunter, who portrayed Mr. Stuart in Grease 2. Didi Conn (Denise Stevens) is also a notable Grease actress, portraying Frenchy in the franchise, marking a coincidental reunion between the two performers.
* Cannon was played by Keene Curtis who made various guest appearances on television from the 70's to the 90's. One of those appearances was on *Star Trek: Voyager* in 1996, a series that featured Ethan Phillips (Pete Downey), marking another actor in a long list of actors who appeared on *Benson* only to appear later in the *Star Trek* universe.
* The episode was featured in WatchMojo's *Top 10 Sitcom Storylines That Wouldn't Happen Today*.

## Accolades

* The episode was nominated for 2 Emmys at the 1983 Primetime Emmy Awards.

## Cultural References

* The Governor mentions the pirates, Jean Laffite, Captain Kidd, and Long John Silver. Benson mentions Willie Stargell when he's asked who his favorite pirate is, in reference to the baseball team, *The Pirates*.
* Benson mentions the character Mr. Green Jeans from the children television series, Captain Kangaroo.
* Benson mentions the romantic comedy series *The Love Boat*.

## Quotes

* **Governor:** All my life, I have dreamed of meeting Gabrielle Simone. I wouldn't dare tell you the fantasies I've had about this woman.
* **Benson:** Oh really? He finally has a good story and he won't tell us.

* **Gabrielle:** \*about Katie\* What a lovely little girl.
* **Governor:** So are you. I mean you're lovely, you're not little by any means. \*chuckles\* Could you pass your buns?
* **Clayton:** Uh, sir...
* **Governor:** Everybody needs starch.

* **Kraus:** But he was dead. He was dead, Governor, you must believe me! He had a dagger in his back, and it had a skull on it!
* **Pete:** Could you guys hold it down out here? You're ruining the atmosphere.
* **Benson:** Kraus thinks Cannon was murdered.
* **Kraus:** I don't think. I know.
* **Benson:** I don't think you know either.

* **Benson:** If Cannon was stabbed, then somebody on this boat is a murderer.
* **Kraus:** \*gasps\* Katie!
* **Governor:** Oh, Ms. Kraus, I hardly think that's likely.

* **Clayton:** There's a maniac on board. I see his plan now. He's going to kill us all off in order of social importance.
* **Benson:** Keep your voice down!
* **Clayton:** Sure, you don't care don't care. You'll be the last to go.

* **Benson:** You can't convict somebody because they've got strange eyes.
* **Governor:** No I guess not.
* **Benson:** It's hard enough to convict them when you got the crime on videotape.

* **Benson:** I think I have some answers. Or at least some very interesting questions. But this much we could all agree on; Someone in this room is a murderer.
* **Clayton:** Well if that's your astounding revelation, I must say I'm underwhelmed.