Network: USA
Episodes: 12 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 28, 2014 — December 30, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Eliza Coupe, Jay Harrington, Oscar Nunez, Maria Bamford, Jolene Purdy, and Carter MacIntyre.
TV show description:
This single-camera comedy follows a high-powered corporate lawyer who experiences a fall from grace and lands in the rough and tumble world of public defenders.
Nina Whitley (Eliza Coupe), a distinguished corporate lawyer, has given up everything in her climb up to the top. But, when she learns that her ex-fiance is getting married and that she hasn’t made partner at her high power firm, Nina snaps. She ends up breaking vases and burning bridges.
Shunned by the corporate world, the only place she can get a job is at the Public Defender’s office — home to the underfunded, understaffed, and overworked lawyers.
In addition to her new clients, Nina must learn to connect with her co-workers. They include charmingly disheveled Phil (Jay Harrington), idealist Carlos (Oscar Nunez), useless and empathetic Cheryl (Maria Bamford) and dedicated intern Micah (Jolene Purdy).
If all of that isn’t tough enough for Nina, she’ll also be going head-to-head with her ex-fiance Trent (Carter MacIntyre), the rising star of the District Attorney’s office.
Episode #12 — Brief Encounters
Nina wonders if her night with Trent was a dream. Nina apologizes again to Phil for the whole PD of the Year award thing and he assures her that everything is fine. Afterward, Carlos asks if the thing between Phil and Nina is still happening. Phil says he’s not Nina’s type so he must have misread the signals. After an encounter in the broom closet, Trent tells Nina they have to file papers to disclose their relationship if they want to make it official.
As Nina considers this, she tells Cheryl and Carlos that she’s helping her friend “Penny” decide whether or not to go public about getting back together with her ex. Nina’s argument is pretty convincing — especially to herself. However, when it comes time to submit the form to the clerk’s office, Nina hesitates.
It’s Phil’s job to get Nina to show up to Don Guardo’s for the surprise party celebrating her PD of the Year win but Nina isn’t sure what to make of Phil’s invitation. Nina tells Cheryl and Carlos that “Penny” suddenly has cold feet because she just got butterflies for another guy.
Nina lets Trent know that she’s having second thoughts. Old Nina wanted him so badly but she has grown and changed. Phil admits to Morris that his lights were off until Nina walked in like a crazy train. Now they’re back on again.
Nina tells Phil she’s had a change of heart about the drinks. She’s in. But Donna the court clerk doesn’t rip up Nina’s form like she asked. Instead Donna gives it to Judge Nelson who immediately spreads the word.
Phil gets the same text, which makes him leave the party. Nina chases after him and asks him not to disappear. He says that he’ll see her on Monday.
First aired: December 30, 2014.
What do you think? Do you like the Benched TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
I loved benched. Please let it come back for a second season. It is a clever show
I loved this show. I think it just needed more time.
My family just rewatched all of the first season in anticipation of a 2nd season. We are VERY DISAPPOINTED to find out that it was cancelled. It was absolutely one of our favorite shows. Eliza Coupe is a gifted actress who brought us so much enjoyment – she was very funny in that role! The rest of the cast were incredible performers too; I only wish the show had been given the time to develop all the characters. I’ve always wondered about those Nielsen ratings since I’m never a part of them!
Loved this show! Well written with great characters. Who’s the idiot who pulled the plug? Very short-sighted.
USA needs to give this show time for increased ratings I feel that none of the stations give any nee shows a chance if they are not hits in the first couple weeks they pull the show. I see that they keep shows on the air that have clearly run their course but yet they are brought back year after year. This is a really funny show and enjoyable to watch I think USA should bring Benched back.
This show was awesome. I would like to know why the idiots at USA cancelled this show. It seems like it was never given a chance. This show had a something we haven’t see in a long time, a fresh new plot and great characters. You need to bring this show back. ASAP
BRING IT BACK!!!! We LOVED Benched!!! The season ended and we were excited for the next season to start!! Say it isn’t so!! BRING BENCHED BACK!!!
Loved it!
When my family and I watched the show for the first time we were hooked. We liked the story line of each character, and how they connected like a family. We ALL miss it and we would definitely follow it on another channel.
Loved this show! My daughter and I watched it each week. Bummed to find out it was cancelled.
I really liked the show!! I don’t get the thought process that goes on with the decisions of cancelling shows that have true sense of humor and some intelligence behind the script writing. It seems that if a show isn’t blatantly stupid and moronic it gets yanked off the air. Maybe it isn’t the shows that need to be questioned but the actual thought process behind it. Give a show chance to develop an true audience following.
Loved the show.
Very surprised that it was cancelled.
I loved benched. As a student I never get a chance to watch things when they come on and was saddened to see that this was the series finale.
USA clearly wasn’t invested in this series from the beginning. I saw 3 or 4 trailers leading up to it, and by the time I actually watched an episode, the season was already half over! I’m so sick of networks making half-hearted attempts to promote their shows, and then abruptly yanking them off the air before most people even know they exist. I know there’s been some chatter about Netflix (possibly) picking up this series. Personally (since I can’t stream online content where I live) I would much rather USA reverse its decision, but at least if Benched moved to… Read more »
This show is great, I saw previews for it and started watching it on my laptop… I recently got to episode 12 and to my surprise found that it would be the last of the show… It says the ratings were low. How exactly can you give a show 2 months and expect the ratings to be huge? People have barely heard of it and I almost feel bad telling people to watch it knowing they are going to like it then be devastated when it comes to a steaming halt. So thank you USA and it is a Tuesday… Read more »