Forty years ago, on April 19, 1986, a significant moment in television history occurred. The iconic sitcom Benson, a spin-off of the series Soap, concluded its seventh season with a cliffhanger ending that left viewers in a state of anticipation and confusion. The show, starring Robert Guillaume as Benson DuBois, the head of the household for the state Governor, had been a beloved fixture on ABC for seven years. But the final episode, titled "And the Winner Is...", ended abruptly, leaving the outcome of the gubernatorial election unknown.
What makes this particular cliffhanger so intriguing is the network's decision to end the series on such a mysterious note. According to Bob Fraser, the showrunner, ABC had a plan for the show's continuation. According to him, Governor Gatling would have been re-elected, but with a slim margin. A twist was added to the plot: the junior senator of the unnamed state would die in office, and Gatling would appoint Benson to finish the term, ultimately leading to Benson becoming President of the United States. This ambitious narrative arc was a testament to the show's creative potential.
However, the reality was quite different. Gary Brown, the director of the series finale, revealed that three different endings were filmed. One saw Benson winning the election, another had Gatling winning re-election, and a third, described as "whimsical", featured the pair tying. Despite the various endings, Brown believed that Benson would have become the governor eventually, a sentiment shared by Robert Guillaume. The show's schedule changes and consistent audience ratings suggested a bright future for the series.
Unfortunately, the network had other plans. Benson was cancelled due to rising production costs, a common fate for many TV shows. The cliffhanger ending, while leaving fans with a sense of anticipation, ultimately became a symbol of the show's untimely demise. It raises the question: what could have been if the series had continued? The answer remains a mystery, leaving fans to speculate and imagine the potential future of Benson's journey.
