Benson Television Series: A Christmas Musical Revue

The 1980s sitcom Benson, a spin-off of the popular soap opera parody SOAP, offered viewers a comedic look into the inner workings of the Governor’s Mansion in California. While primarily focused on the humorous antics of the staff, Benson also delivered a heartwarming and musically rich Christmas episode titled “Mary and her Little Lambs” in 1982.

The episode revolves around Mary, the assistant cook, facing a custody battle over the two orphans she raises. Benson endeavors to help her navigate the legal complexities, ultimately finding a solution that allows Mary to spend Christmas with the children at the Governor’s Mansion. This touching storyline sets the stage for a spectacular musical revue that takes place during the Governor’s Christmas party.

The final act of “Mary and her Little Lambs” transforms into a show-within-a-show, featuring the party guests gathered around a piano. Denise and Pete provide a simple piano accompaniment as the cast performs a medley of Christmas carols.

The musical performances begin with a group rendition of “Joy to the World,” followed by solo performances from various cast members. Governor Gatling sings “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” while Denise, Pete, Clayton, and young Katie each take turns singing verses of “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

Didi Conn, known for her role as Frenchy in the movie musical Grease, showcases her vocal talents as Denise. Adding to the diverse musical landscape of the episode, Kraus delivers a beautiful rendition of “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) in German.

The highlight of the musical revue is Robert Guillaume’s powerful performance of “O Holy Night.” Guillaume, a Tony-nominated Broadway star, transcends his comedic persona as Benson to deliver a breathtaking vocal performance.

The episode concludes with a heartwarming touch as the cast breaks the fourth wall, offering individual holiday greetings to the viewers. “Mary and her Little Lambs” stands out as a memorable example of how the Benson television series incorporated musical elements to create a truly special Christmas episode.