With Caroline McWilliams as the person in every sitcom intro who laughs and then suddenly stops laughing and smiles blandly at the camera as her name comes up.

This show was considerably less funny than the show it was based on.

On the plus side, maybe they'll do a revival now that Robert Guillaume is out of work after Episode 2. Maybe he and Robert Culp can do a show!

Phones seem to be an important part of this show. Who was Benson going to talk to on that phone that made him so happy? I don't think I've ever been that kind of happy over a phone call.

Phones suck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_(TV_series)

Check out the wikipedia page on Benson, especially the quasi-Aspie-riffic section devoted to determining if the unnamed state state Benson took place in was wholly fictional or an actual state:

"States ruled out:
Dialogue in the show specifically eliminated Idaho (Season 1, episode 1), Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Connecticut (which is where Soap was set), California, New Jersey, and Illinois as possible locations.
In the episode Old School Ties, it is mentioned that the "other side of the state" is 300 miles away from the capital. This disqualifies Maryland, Iowa, South Carolina, West Virginia, and all of the states in the Northeast with the exception of New York and Pennsylvania.
Benson has a map of Western Connecticut, Eastern New York, Long Island and Long Island Sound on his office's wall. He also has a map of the Chesapeake Bay area. This may indicate that it takes place in the Northeastern United States, although should not be taken as conclusive.
In the episode Homework, Benson, Governor Gatling and Pete are talking about a proposed "State Heritage Day". In the discussion, Governor Gatling remarks that the state's most important moment was a locust attack on all the state's agriculture in 1832. This would seem to limit the possible states to those formed before 1832. Pete also brings up the fact that pioneer Johnny Appleseed planted trees in the state with some degree of importance. The latter would suggest the states of Ohio or Indiana.
In the episode All Shook Up, a major earthquake rocks the state capital. While it's possible for the Northeastern United States to be rattled by an earthquake, the jolt depicted in the episode is more common in California or the Pacific Northwest. However, in this episode, Benson says "This isn't California."
An interesting Simpsons/Benson coincidence: It is mentioned several times-as early as the third-season (April 2, 1982), episode Teed Off-that the show is set in "Capital City," also the name of the capital of The Simpsons' state.
In the episode "Mary and her Lambs" (17 December 1982 (Season 4, Episode 10), An officer of the court is pursuing Mary and her two non-biological children to place them in foster homes. Benson reveals that the warrant issued for the children is from Clark County, while the capital is in Lawrence County.
States— not otherwise ruled out— with a Clark County are: Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.
States- not otherwise ruled out- with a Lawrence County are: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee.
Therefore, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and South Dakota meet the criteria based on this information.
Also, the state motto is mentioned - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - in Latin."

Thanks, wikipedians.

Dobermans going for the darkie.

So this was some kind of alt-history plantation drama?

Remember, ye sitcom cast members: thou art mortal.