Private Benjamin (TV series)

Private Benjamin is an American sitcom television series based on and set during the events of the 1980 movie of the same name that aired on CBS from April 6, 1981, to January 10, 1983. Eileen Brennan, who reprised her role from the film, won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for her work on the series.

Private Benjamin
GenreSitcom
Based onPrivate Benjamin
Developed byDon Reo
Directed byWilliam Asher
Charles Beaumont
Gabrielle Beaumont
Alan Bergmann
Bruce Bilson
Alan Cooke
William P. D'Angelo
Marc Daniels
Herbert Kenwith
Leslie H. Martinson
Tony Mordente
Howard Morris
Alan Myerson
Bob Sweeney
StarringLorna Patterson
Eileen Brennan
Wendie Jo Sperber
Hal Williams
Theme music composerBob Carroll, Jr.
Madelyn Davis
Opening theme"Judy's Theme"
Composer(s)Barry De Vorzon
Dennis McCarthy
George Tipton
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Nick Arnold
Bob Carroll, Jr.
Madelyn Davis
Leonard B. Kaufman
Don Reo
Producer(s)Judith D. Allison
Hank Bradford
Bob Illes
Arnold Kane
Linda Morris
Vic Rauseo
Elliot Schick
James R. Stein
Running time22–24 minutes
Production company(s)Warner Bros. Television
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkCBS
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseApril 6, 1981 (1981-04-06) –
January 10, 1983 (1983-01-10)
Chronology
Related showsPrivate Benjamin

Synopsis

Like the movie, the series is about a spoiled young socialite named Judy Benjamin adjusting to life in the army. She's popular among her fellow enlisted personnel (with the exception of Pvt. Carol Winter), but not with her superiors. Most of the humor in the series is derived from Benjamin and her friends' attempts to evade the watchful eye of their sergeant.

Although some of the actors from the film play the same characters on the TV show, (notably Eileen Brennan and Hal Williams, in their roles of Captain Doreen Lewis and Sgt. L.C. Ross respectively) the title role is acted by Lorna Patterson instead of Goldie Hawn.

While the series was initially shot on film and featured many outdoor scenes, later episodes were more like a standard sitcom, shot on video on soundstages and complete with a laugh track.

In the fall of 1982, Robert Mandan joined the cast as Colonel Lawrence Fielding, the pompous, well-meaning, but ineffectual, head of the camp. In late 1982, Eileen Brennan was struck by a car and Polly Holliday was brought in as Captain Amanda Allen, intended as a temporary replacement for Brennan's Captain Lewis character, but the show was cancelled shortly thereafter.

Cast and characters

Episodes
Main article: List of Private Benjamin episodes
Season Episodes Original broadcast Nielsen ratings
Premiered: Ended:
1 4 April 6, 1981 (1981-04-06) April 27, 1981 (1981-04-27) N/A
2 22 October 12, 1981 (1981-10-12) April 26, 1982 (1982-04-26) 37[1]
3 13 September 27, 1982 (1982-09-27) January 10, 1983 (1983-01-10) 45[2]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Result Category Recipient
1981Emmy AwardWonOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesEileen Brennan
1982NominatedOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesEileen Brennan
1983NominatedOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesEileen Brennan
1982Golden Globe AwardNominatedBest Television Series – Musical or Comedy
—
WonBest Actress – Television Series Musical or ComedyEileen Brennan
1983NominatedBest Actress – Television Series Musical or ComedyEileen Brennan
1982People's Choice AwardsWonFavorite New TV Comedy Program
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  1. Lina. "The TV Ratings Guide: 1981-82 Ratings History -- Primetime is Awash in a Bubble Bath as Nighttime Soaps Become the Rage". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. Lina. "The TV Ratings Guide: 1982-83 Ratings History -- Soap Bubbles Rise, Several Veterans Part and NBC Renews Poorly Rated Masterpieces". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
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