"Private Benjamin" (1981)TV series 1981-1983

Directors:

William Asher
Gabrielle Beaumont

Writers:

Judith D. Allison (writer)
Nick Arnold (writer)

Seasons:

2 | 3 | unknown

Release Date:

6 April 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The misadventures of a spoiled young woman who joins the army and her friends.

Plot Keywords:

Army Life | Sitcom | Female Soldier | Military Life | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Elvia Allman		(2 episodes, 1981)
Jerry Hausner		(2 episodes, 1981)
Arthur Peterson		(2 episodes, 1981)
Greg Zadikov		(2 episodes, 1981)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

Trivia:

Polly Holliday was added to the cast after 'Eileen Brennan' was injured in an automobile accident and was intended as a short-term replacement character. However the show was cancelled after Holliday had appeared in just two episodes.

Quotes:

Capt. Doreen Lewis: [singing] Happy days are here again! No more Private Ben-jamin...

Movie Connections:

Follows Private Benjamin (1980)

Memorable Turkey joke

This series tried to take off the success of the movie by the same name. No such luck, maybe it was because that the TV staff could not hire Goldie Hawn to portray Private Benjamin. Even though this series has been off for nearly 20 years I still remember one of the jokes made by Captain Lewis (Eillen Breenan). Captain Lewis was explaining to Private Benjamin why the Army would not promote her to Major. " I made a big mistake. Instead of sending a hundred turkeys to a battalion, I sent a hundred battalions to Turkey"