"Mid-Life Cowboy" aka "Mid-Life Crisis" is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season, and one hundred and thirty-first episode overall, of the ABC sitcom, Benson.
Directed by Gary Brown, the episode originally aired on February 15th, 1985.
Synopsis[]
A depressed Governor Gatling wants to turn his Arizona dude ranch vacation into a retirement, much to the staff's, and his daughter's, disapproval.
Trivia[]
- This episode is one of the only episodes with an alternative name.
- The name itself is a play on the 1969 film, Midnight Cowboy.
- Bernard was played by Max Wright who would go on to be best known for his role as Willie Tanner on the Sci-fi sitcom, ALF two years later.
Cultural References[]
- Benson refers to Kraus as Trigger the Horse.
- The Governor sings the cowboy tune, "Home on the Range".
- Kraus states that she feels like sharpshooter, Annie Oakley.
- Benson mistakes the Governor request to be called Gene for 'The Singing Cowboy' Gene Autry.
- The Governor mentions the Marlboro Man, the Marlboro cigarettes mascot, after lighting a fire with a lighter.
- Benson states that everybody would be a Michael Jackson look alike if every kid fulfilled their childhood dream.
- The Governor mentions actor Gary Cooper.
- The Governor mentions Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Wyatt Earp when looking at the stars; stating that he wonders what they were thinking.
- Benson replies by stating they were thinking the same things that they are and lists off "Why am I here? What's it all about? Will the Redskins win this year?" with Redskins simultaneously referring to the, then, NFL football team on Benson's part, and the Native "Indian" Americans on the part of the Western icons.
Quotes[]
- Benson: Stop it. I've only been governor a week and you've been arguing the entire time.
- Clayton: Benson, you can end this dispute by simply exercising the powers of the office.
- Benson: Okay, Clayton. You're fired.
- Bernard: All the guests at our dude ranch always choose a cowboy name for the duration of their stay. So, how about Lucky?
- Benson: If I was lucky I wouldn't be here.
- Bernard: Wild Bill?
- Benson: I wasn't planning on having that good a time.
- Bernard: Rusty?
- Benson: Well, I may not be as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was.
- Katie: You know, Benson. I'm depending on you. Everyone's depending on you. The whole state is depending on you.
- Benson: How come I can't just ride off into the sunset like them white guys?
- Bernard: All right. Everybody saddle up. We're--- We're creating a posse.
- Benson: What is it?
- Kraus: It's a group of men who get together and look for somebody.
- Benson: Why rub two sticks together when you can buy a 49 cent lighter?
Promo[]
TV Guide 1985