Full Court Press

**"Full Court Press"** is the fifth episode of the fifth season, and ninety-fifth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by Katherine Helmond, the episode originally aired on October 21st, 1983.

## Synopsis

Clayton decides to take Benson to court for slander after a wisecrack makes the rounds through Katie's school report.

Meanwhile, an aching Denise finds out she's pregnant.

## Trivia

* This is the first episode of the series to be directed by Katherine Helmond.
* This episode marks the first appearance of Ned Harper as a judge.

## Cultural References

* Katie mentions rock singer, Sting, and the group The Police, when telling Benson how she'll be conducting the interview. The band was currently enjoying a worldwide success at the time due to their number one smash hit, *Every Breath You Take,* which would pan out to be the highest selling single of 1983 in the US.
* Benson states that he lost touch with music somewhere after Smokey Robinson, a singer and songwriter who's breakthrough success was during the mid 60's.
* Benson refers to Clayton as American outlaw, Jesse James; playing a crucial part to the episode's plot.
* Benson states that his cartoon depiction looks more like comedian and actor, Redd Foxx, than it did himself.
* Benson mentions *The Price is Right* when Pete cheers in the courtroom.
* Ned Harper states that this isn't Scopes Monkey Trial, when the Governor asks how he's doing.

## Quotes

* **Katie:** I'm gonna ask you the kind of questions they'd ask Sting.
* **Benson:** Is Sting a person?
* **Katie:** Yeah, he's with The Police.
* **Benson:** There's a cop named Sting?
* **Katie:** No, it's a rock group.
* **Benson:** Oh, Sting is a rock group?
* **Katie:** No, The Police is a rock group, Sting is the lead singer, Benson.
* **Benson:** Yeah, well I must've lost touch somewhere after Smokey Robinson.

* **Katie:** Do you like your job?
* **Benson**: It has it's good days and its bad days.
* **Clayton:** \*walks in\* Benson, you are a irritating, petty minded, tightwad.
* **Benson:** Obviously this no longer qualifies as a good day.

* **Governor:** Look at this cartoon. It shows the two of you dressed as cowboys, shooting it out in a western street.
* **Benson:** Let me see that! Why does Clayton have three guns?
* **Governor:** That's not his gun, that's his nose!

* **Governor:** He subpoenaed me, the Governor! He can't sub...well he can, but it takes a lot of moxie! This is really disturbing.
* **Benson:** If you think that's disturbing, take a look at this cartoon. Is that supposed to be me? That's not me, that's Redd Foxx.

* **Clayton:** Ms. Gatling, kindly respond to my queries with the most upmost probity as your recollection of the alleged slander shall serve as prima facie evidence of the charges made.
* **Benson:** I object Your Honor. Counselor is speaking in Babylonian.

* **Clayton:** Your Honor, what I intend to prove with this next witness is that Mr. DuBois has a history of constantly insulting me! I call to the stand the lovely Ms. Gretchen Kraus!
* **Benson**: Your Honor, I object! Counsel is deluding the witness!
* **Judge Harper**: Objection overruled. The court calls Gretchen Kraus.
* **Kraus**: But my line is always busy! \*laughs and nudges Benson\*
* **Benson:** Your line isn't even connected!

* **Benson:** When Clayton attempted to give you questions in etiquette, did you not in fact call him a nosey, egotistical goat brain?
* **Kraus:** Yeah? So?
* **Benson:** That's all, Kraus. Thank you Your Honor.

* **Clayton:** Your Honor, I call the governor of this state, Gene Gatling.
* **Benson:** Big deal. Everybody calls him Gene Gatling.