The Oval Office

**"The Oval Office"** is the eighteenth episode of the sixth season, and one hundred and thirtieth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by Bill Foster, the episode originally aired on February 8th, 1985.

## Synopsis

Called in by the President because of a remark by Benson, Benson and the Governor await their discipline in the Oval Office.

## Trivia

* The episode was re-aired on June 22nd, 2005 on Nick at Nite for the block's 20th anniversary, marking the only appearance of the show on the network.
* Most of the episode takes place on the Governor's birthday, though it's never stated what day, or even season, the episode takes place in.
* The set for the "Oval Office" was also used on the short lived *Witt/Thomas* Susan Harris sitcom, *Hail to the Chief*.
* Benson mentions *The Red Phone*, the system that allowed direct communication between the leaders of the United States and the Russian Federation. The hotline in real life was never a telephone line however, and no red phones were used. Since 2008, the Moscow–Washington hotline has been a secure computer link over which messages are exchanged by a secure form of email.
* The Governor's middle name, Xavier, is revealed in this episode.
* Benson states the they traveled 1900 miles to get to Washington D.C, making the only states probable for the location of the series Idaho or Arizona. The Governor ironically travels to Arizona in the next episode, and asks "Why couldn't I be governor of Idaho?" in the Pilot episode, eliminating both states from the equation.
* The episode was also likely meant to be a foreshadow of Benson's political climb, as producer Bob Fraser once stated that a long term potential goal of the series was for Benson to become President.

## Cultural References

* The President in question was undoubtedly, President Reagan.
* Benson mentions having Aretha Franklin records.
* Benson refers to the Governor as the Michelin Guide, when he states that they're in the White House.
* Benson states that Hollywood might call him to do the *Michael Jackson Story* when the Governor asks him if he'd ever want to be President. Benson also precedes to imitate Michael Jackson's dance moves.

## Quotes

* **Clayton:** Who do you think you are?
* **Benson:** I am Benson DuBois, Lieutenant Governor. Who do you think I am?

* **Kraus:** Your hiney is hamburger.

* **Governor:** We're in the White House.
* **Benson:** Why do you keep telling me where we are? I know where we are. What are you? The Michelin Guide?

* **Mrs. Riddle:** Please be careful with your coffee cups. All of the furnishings in here are of historical significance. The desk was Jefferson's. The Chair belonged to Wilson. The rug was Eisenhower's.
* **Benson:** And we all know who the tape recorder belongs to.

* **Benson:** You call somebody. You're the one who spilled coffee on Ike's rug.
* **Governor:** I didn't do it on purpose.
* **Benson:** I didn't say you did it on purpose.
* **Governor:** Well, I didn't imply that you said I did.
* **Benson:** And I didn't say that you implied that I said you did--
* **Governor:** All right. We agree.

* **Governor:** You think I'm too old to be president, don't you?
* **Benson:** No, no, no, no. We all know that age and former line of work has nothing to do with becoming president.

* **Mr. Binker** The President wishes me to convey a message to you. He appreciates your interests and concern in the federal budget. He has considered your criticisms of certain proposals and he has reached the conclusion that he is right and you are wrong.