Benson (1979)

Benson DuBois, a sharp-tongued and fiendishly intelligent man, is assigned to serve as butler to Governor Eugene Gatling, a well-meaning but ineffectual public servant. Benson's seemingly lowly role, however, allows him to observe and involve himself with Governor Gatling's staff, with whom he frequently clashes due to their serial ineptitude or arrogance - among his most frequent adversaries are Gatling's aide-de-camp Clayton Endicott III and the German woman in charge of the mansion's kitchen, Gretchen Kraus. Benson's wit and intelligence allow him to help his adversaries and the Governor, and these twin qualities result in a steady stream of promotions, to budgetary director and eventually to serve as Gatling's lieutenant governor. However, eventually Benson finds himself running for governor against Gatling, a race that strains the two men's friendship; both men, however, realize how much more important friendship is, and their relationship is healed as they await the final tally of the election.