And the Winner Is...

**"And the Winner Is..."** is the twenty-second episode of the seventh season, one-hundred and fifty eighth episode overall, and final episode of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*. The episode serves as the second half to the Season finale, and ultimately series finale, of the series.

Directed by Gary Brown, the episode originally aired on April 19th, 1986.

## Synopsis

Benson and Governor Gatling run against one another in the election for Governor, putting a dark cloud over their long standing friendship as the two await for the results of the race.

## Trivia

* Despite being the final episode of the series aired, production codes list "Three on a Mismatch" as the final episode produced, and "Pardon Me" as the second to last episode produced; with "And the Winner is..." coming in third place.
* There were four different endings that were shot. One wherein the Governor won. Another wherein Benson won. Another wherein the third candidate won. And the one they used, a cliffhanger, which was unresolved. None of the alternate endings have ever been released, making it apart of lost media concerning the series.
* The last line in the episode, and the series all together, is "And the winner is...", in which the episode was named after. A tactic that was previously used in the second episode of the series, "Trust Me".
* The last lines of each main character are as follow; **Governor:** Good Luck, Benson. **Benson:** Good luck, Governor. **Kraus:** Does Benson have to keep his hands in his pockets? **Clayton:** \*in response to Benson saying they're will be a job for him if he wins\* Doing what?
* The tag scene, which recaps Benson's climb up the ladder from 1979 to 1986 using clips from the episodes "Change" and "Benson's Appointment", is never shown in syndicated edits.
	+ Additionally, the 1984 scene, which features the Governor saying good night to the newly elected lt. governor, Benson DuBois, was a previously unseen clip; unlike the others shown. The clip appears to be an outtake from Season 6's "The Election", where Benson becomes lt. governor, though it's unknown why it was never featured in the episode itself.
* Billie Bird doesn't appear as Mrs. Cassidy in this episode.
* Missy Gold doesn't appear as Katie Gatling in this episode, though she is mentioned by The Governor during the debate.

## Aftermath/Cancellation

"And the Winner is..." premiered on April 19th, 1986, marking the final episode of the ABC sitcom, *Benson.* According to showrunner Bob Fraser, the episode, and season, ended on a cliffhanger at the request of the network. Despite being scheduled for an eighth season, the episode would mark the finale of the series, as a cancellation would be made at the last minute by the network, ABC; citing high production costs. Show star, Robert Guillaume, had also stated that there was hostility between the producers and the network, that would ultimately lead up to the show getting the axe.

Fraser indicated that, had the show continued, Gatling would have won the election and Benson would have become a United States senator, though conflicting reports have also been made from various other directors, writers, and producers on the series.

## Quotes

* **Benson:** Where is that photographer? He was supposed to be here a half hour ago.
* **Kraus:** His office called, he ran into trouble on the highway.
* **Benson:** That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. Why didn't you tell me?
* **Kraus:** I just did. I was on the phone with him when you started insulting me.
* **Benson:** Well that's ridiculous. I started insulting you seven years ago.

* **Senator Tyler:** Look, Benson, face it! We're a long shot! I mean I don't know if this has occurred to you, but you're black.
* **Benson:** You're pink. And you're bald, get out!
* **Senator Tyler:** I'm not bald, I have a high forehead.
* **Benson:** It's gone, get out!
* **Senator Tyler:** Receding?
* **Benson:** Evaporated, get out!

* **Kraus:** Do you know what esteemed running mate, Senator Tyler, said on television last night?
* **Benson:** No?
* **Kraus:** He called the Governor a blood sucking pirate!
* **Benson:** \*laughs\* Well just ignore, the little twit.
* **Kraus:** Well then, you don't want to hear what he said about you.
* **Benson:** Me? What'd he say about me?
* **Kraus:** I thought you didn't want to know?
* **Benson:** Kraus don't get cute. What am I saying?

* **Benson:** That lying little...
* **Kraus:** Weasel?
* **Benson:** Well no, I wasn't gonna say weasel, but that'll be ok.
* **Clayton:** \*walks in\* Talking about me, Benson?
* **Benson:** As long as you're here, yes.