"The Brian Benben Show" Episode Guide v1.0.0
(c) 1998, Tom Walsh (avs@netport.com)
This guide may be reproduced in its entirety for noncommercial purposes
only. For other uses, please contact the author.
The following is an episode guide for the show "The Brian Benben Show."
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* NOTE: I do NOT have tapes of this show available for trade. *
* Please post to the newsgroup alt.video.tape-trading for requests. *
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The text version is available at the AVIMall:
http://www.avimall.com/entertain/BrianBenbenShowThe.txt
A pointer to this site is available at the Ultimate TV List:
http://tvnet.com/UTVL/
Of course, there is a page at the Internet Movie Database:
http://us.imdb.com/M/title-exact?%22Brian%20Benben%20Show,%20The%22%20(1998)
ABOUT THE SHOW:
"The Brian Benben Show" is a sitcom about KYLA newsanchor Brian Benben
who finds himself replaced by a younger anchor. When the features
reporter is suddenly killed while reporting a story, Brian gets another
chance to prove his worth at the L.A. station.
"The Brian Benben Show" is a production of CBS Productions and Warner
Brothers. Robert Borden is the creator and executive producer.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE:
Episode titles comes from television listings and such sources as ClickTV
(http://www.clicktv.com).
VERSION HISTORY:
v1.0.0 16 October 1998 Initial version
CAST:
PERFORMER - CHARACTER
Brian Benben - Brian Benben
Susan Blommaert - Beverly Shippel
Charles Esten - Chad Rockwell
Wendell Pierce - Kevin La Rue
Luis Antonio Ramos - Billy Hernandez
Lisa Thornhill - Tabitha Berkeley
Lisa Vidal - Julie (full cast member starting with episode 3)
EPISODES:
CBS - The show appears on CBS on Mondays from 9:30-10:00 p.m.
*** SEASON 1 (1998-99) 6(+?) EPISODES (4 aired) ***
1. "Pilot" 21 September 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: Robert Borden D: Andrew D. Weyman
[TV-PG-DL]
(prod. no. 475148)
Newscasters Brian Benben and his co-anchor, Chelsea, are called into boss
Beverly Shippel's office and hear the bad news: they are being fired and
replaced by the younger, more attractive crew of Chad Rockwell and Tabitha
Berkeley. But when tragedy strikes and human interest reporter Freddy
Fontaine is killed by a gorilla during a story, Brian is rehired to replace
him. Brian uses the opportunity to try to get his job back by saboutaging
the TelePrompter. Chad also has a few tricks up his sleeve by making Brian
go on before he is ready. Brian's subject is the 100+-year-old Betty "the
Blower" Bolinski, who turns out to be a hit.
Guests: Lisa Vidal - Julie
Steven Gilborn - Freddy Fontaine
Pat Crawford Brown - Heddy Bolinski
Jeanette Miller - Betty Bolinski
Melody Rogers - Chelsea
Lorna Scott - Gladys
Adam Borstein - Stage Manager
2. "House of Blues" 28 September 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: John Frink & Don Payne D: Andrew D. Weyman
[TV-PG-DL]
(prod. no. 467251)
With the new broadcasting team earning better ratings than the previous one,
Brian's chances of getting his old job back are diminished. He also took a
substantial pay cut, which forces him to rethink his finances. When a yard
sale of his possessions does not help, he considers television endorsements,
the first for a portable toilet manufacturer. Brian considers the spot
degrading, and decides instead to sell his house. When Chad tries to buy it
for more than the asking price, Brian decides Chad's OK, until he learns the
reason is basically to rub it in Brian's face. Brian tears up the check and
endorses toilets to make ends meet.
Guests: Lisa Vidal - Julie
Patrick Bristow - Victor
Rob Moore - Director
Paul Hayes - Walt
Jim Hanna - Guy
Edmund Balin - Elderly Man
Andrew Ferchland - Boy
Bill Escudier - Slateman
3. "Brian's Got Back, pt. 1" 5 October 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: Alex Reid D: Andrew D. Weyman
[TV-PG-D]
(prod. no. 467254)
With Chad dating Julie, Brian faces the prospect of waking up and seeing him
every morning, a situation Chad relishes. When Beverly goes on vacation and
leaves Chad in charge, he uses the opportunity to torment Brian. When Brian
approaches Chad about a story dealing with a corrupt city councilman, Chad
appears to be the good boss and tells Brian to go with the story... but first
asks him to cover a feature on clowns. The clowns frustrate Brian who assaults
them on the air. To prevent a lawsuit, Brian must take anger management
classes. Meanwhile, Chad steals Brian's councilman story and is lauded.
Brian deals with his anger by overeating. Six months later, he has gained a
lot of weight.
Guest star: Kathy Kinney - The Facilitator
Patrick Kerr - Ned
Lynne Marie Stewart - Janet
4. "Brian's Got Back, pt. 2" 12 October 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: Betty Borus D: Andrew D. Weyman
[TV-PG-DL]
(prod. no. 467255)
Everyone at the station gets on Brian's case about his weight, and he decides
to do something about it, especially when women stop succumbing to his
advances. Then, Tabitha starts taking an interest in him. He thinks she
likes him for him, but during their second date, while at her apartment, he
realizes she is a chubby chaser. Brian realizes that is why she likes him
and goes on a diet. Six months later, he is back to his old weight, but the
spark is gone.
Guest: Robyn Donny - Sarah Abrams
Note: Kathy Kinney does appear in the recap of the previous episode, though.
NOTE: It was announced on 16 October 1998 that "The Brian Benben Show" was
canceled.
5. "Of Mice and Benben" 19 October 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: ? D: ?
[]
(prod. no. ?)
Brian falls under the spell of a militant vegetarian after Julie convinces him
to pursue a love life.
Guests: Shannon Kenny - ?
Note: Did not air.
6. "Motivating Kevin" 26 October 1998
P: Pamela Grant W: ? D: ?
[]
(prod. no. ?)
Note: Did not air.
(
geocities.com/hollywood)