A View From the Roof

**"A View From the Roof"** is the twenty-first episode of the fourth season, and eighty-ninth episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, *Benson*.

Directed by Bill Foster, the episode originally aired on March 18th, 1983.

## Synopsis

While trying to set up a HAM Radio Antenna, The Governor and Benson end up stuck on the roof of the Governor's Mansion.

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first, only appearance, of the Governor's Mansion roof.
* The episode marks the second appearance of Kraus's room, with the first appearance being in Season 1's "The Kraus Affair".

## Cultural References

* Benson mentions that the only thing he knew about radio was that two white guys did *Amos 'N' Andy.*
* Benson and The Governor mention, and reference, Carry Grant, and the Alfred Hitchcock film, *To Catch a Thief.*
* Pete and Denise mention *Naughty Marietta.*
* Katie and Kraus mention *The Who* and *Andre Watts.*

## Quotes

* **Kraus:** What have you got in the box? Get yourself a new pair of sneakers?
* **Benson:** A radio antenna.
* **Kraus:** What do you need with a radio antenna?
* **Benson:** It's not mine, its for the Governor's HAM radio.
* **Kraus:** They made a radio out of a ham?

* **Benson**: When they put the antenna up on the roof, he'll be able to talk to people all over the world.
* **Kraus**: What's the matter, he forgot how to dial the telephone?
* **Benson**: With a HAM radio, you can talk to people who don't even have telephones.
* **Kraus**: Well if they don't have a telephone, they probably don't want to be disturbed.

* **Governor:** Let me see that.
* **Benson:** Yeah well hurry up, because I don't like the way this wind is picking up here.
* **Governor:** Wind? You think this is windy? Listen, I remember one time-
* **Benson:** Governor, we've all been in wind before, okay? Just read the instructions.

* **Kraus:** Katie, I thought you were going out tonight.
* **Katie:** I am going over to Judy Palermo's. Who's on TV
* **Kraus:** I don't know. Why don't you check out TV Guide?
* **Katie:** No. I mean a rock band.
* **Kraus:** Oh, a rock band. Uh, what is it called?
* **Katie:** WHO
* **Kraus:** The rock band.
* **Katie:** That's right. This is their final concert.
* **Kraus:** Who's final concert?
* **Katie:** Yeah.
* **Kraus:** Yeah, who?
* **Katie:** I'm pretty excited myself. What are you doing tonight?
* **Kraus:** Uh, my favorite pianist is on PBS tonight.
* **Katie:** Liberace?
* **Kraus:** No, Andre Watts' his name.
* **Katie**: Beats me. I'm not into classical.

* **Benson:** Okay now Governor, take your time, this is our last chance. The only car in the parking lot is Pete's.
* **Governor:** \*Throws brick\*
* **Benson**: Besides mine
* **Governor**: I'm sorry about that. I'll replace your windshield. Oh look, they're already getting into the car! If only I had thrown it ten seconds earlier.
* **Benson:** And ten feet to the left.
* **Governor:** Oh, he's stopping!
* **Benson:** Look! The only reason he's stopping is because he backed into my car!
* **Governor:** It doesn't matter why he's stopping. If you wanna take the credit for it, you can.

* **Governor:** Look at that tree! I could make that in a hop, skip, and a jump!
* **Benson:** Well after the hop, you can skip the jump, cause your gonna be up to your ears in asphalt.

* **Benson:** I'm trying to find something to throw at Kraus's window
* **Governor**: Her light isn't on.
* **Benson**: No, but tonight isn't her bowling night, so she'll be up in her room to watch T.V.
* **Benson**: Oh here's something.
* **Governor**: a ball? No what you need are pebbles.
* **Benson**: Pebbles?
* **Governor**: Yeah! That's what you throw at people's windows to get their attention!
* **Benson**: Well I didn't know there were rules.
* **Governor:** There aren't rules, Benson, it's just the accepted norm. I mean, traditionally speaking, people throw pebbles, not rubber balls.
* **Benson**: What difference does it make?