| "There won't be much of David Hedison
in the 1979-80 Fall television schedule I'm afraid - except for the first
Benson and whatever reruns the networks decide to throw in. But remember,
there is always next year, and I'm looking forward very much to the
Chapter Two tour.
It's been ten years since I've been on the boards and I think it's about
time." David Hedison - August 24, 1979 |
| Pilot Episode (1979) Director: Jay Sandrich Writer: Susan Harris Original Air Date: 13 September 1979 (1:01) |
Robert Guillaume - Benson DuBois James Noble - Governor Gatling Missy Gold - Katie Gatling Inga Swenson - Miss Kraus Caroline McWilliams - Marcy Hill David Hedison - John Taylor |
When Eugene Gatling, much to his surprise, is
elected Governor, he finds the mansion in disarray and himself
overwhelmed. His cousin Jessica Tate sends Benson to help her widowed cousin and
Benson brings his own version of sanity to politics as usual.
| "Before I left for Europe [to film
ffolkes] I did a television pilot for a new TV series called Benson,
starring Robert Guillaume. I was never particularly excited about it,
unfortunately, as I didn't think I'd enjoy the role I had week after week.
At any rate, the pilot sold and will be on the Fall ABC Schedule following
Laverne and Shirley - but I will not be in it!" David Hedison - August 24, 1979 |
David
was offered the lead in a national touring company of
Chapter Two
and would start rehearsals the same summer that he would
have been taping
the first season of Benson. As it turned out, the tour lasted through
the filming schedule of two seasons of Benson.
Lewis Stadlen took over the role of political advisor John Taylor. The character never really developed and by second season had been replaced with a new foil for Benson - Clayton Endicott III (Rene Auberjonois).