Summer of Discontent

**"Summer of Discontent"** is the twelfth episode of the seventh season, and one hundred and forty-eighth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by Whitney J. LeBlanc, the episode originally aired on January 25th, 1986.

## Synopsis

Benson's namesake nephew, Benson 'Clete' Hawkins (played by Keenen Ivory Wayans), comes to visit, but brings a young, careless lifestyle with him.

## Trivia

* This episode would pan out to be the highest rated of the season, earning a Nielsen rating of 12.8.
* The episode features an earlier acting role from writer, producer, and actor, Keenen Ivory Wayans.
* Clayton states that the mansion is beginning to feel like a soap opera, an ironic statement due to the series' parent show, *Soap*, being a soap opera parody itself.
* The tag scene is removed from syndication edits.

## Cultural References

* An instrumental version of Patti LaBelle's "New Attitude" is played during the house party scene.
* When Benson sees Clete throwing a party at his house, Benson states that his living room looks like a Prince video, in reference to some of the singer's party-themed crowded videos.
* When Clayton states that the staff's focus on Benson makes the mansion feel like a soap opera, he sarcastically states, "The Days of Our Benson", "As the DuBois Turns" as parodies of the soap operas, *The Days of Our Lives* and *As the World Turns*.
	+ Following which, Benson states, "And so ends another episode of The Tense and the Useless", in reference to the soap opera, *The Young and the Restless*.
* Benson mentions football player, Lyle Alzado.

## Quotes

* **Benson:** Good news. I got you a job right here in the mansion.
* **Clete:** Oh, really? What's my title?
* **Benson:** Title? Well, there's no official title. It'll be more like chief gofer.

* **Benson:** Uh, Clete, Clete, Clete. The refrigerator is empty.
* **Clete:** Oh, don't blame yourself. You didn't know all these people were coming.
* **Benson:** I don't believe this! They even ate the baking soda.

* **Kraus:** I tried talking to him about it. It's like talking to a brickyard.
* **Benson:** You mean a brick wall?
* **Kraus:** Whatever. A brick is a brick, you just can't talk to it.

* **Clayton:** Benson, where in the hell is that nephew of yours? I asked him to deliver my proposal to the finance committee, and he hasn't even picked it up yet.
* **Kraus:** Maybe the kid doesn't pick up garbage.
* **Clayton:** Please, Miss Kraus. I am in no mood for your aborted attempts at humor.
* **Kraus:** Are you in the mood for a fat lip?

* **Benson:** Yes, strange as it may seem, I know exactly what you're saying.
* **Governor:** Good, good. Cause I hate to repeat myself. I hate to repeat myself.
* **Benson:** I know. I know.
* **Governor:** Good. Good. Bye-bye.

* **Clete:** Forget it. Take your beeper. You can bag this job. I quit. I'm out of here. Adios, I'm a ghost. I am vapor. I am in the wind.

* **Clete:** You'll be glad to know I made some plans.
* **Benson:** Let's hear them.
* **Clete:** Well, I'm gonna hitch out to California, and I'm gonna blow it out this time, Yeah, go nuts! Crazy time!
* **Benson:** Well it's certainly heartwarming to know that you've put a great deal of thought into this.