TV series

Benched

Name: Benched
Released: 2014
Cast: Eliza Coupe, Jay Harrington, Carter MacIntyre, Oscar Nuñez, Jolene Purdy

2014· 1 season· 22 min episodesTV-14★ 6.9Canceled

On USA Network — From The Mark Gordon Company · ABC Signature Studios

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Synopsis

Nina is a dedicated, career driven corporate attorney who has a very public nervous breakdown after getting passed up for an expected promotion and now finds herself working as a public defender. Her personal and professional worlds are turned upside down when she joins the ranks of the legal world’s underdogs and very quickly realizes that the law isn't quite as fair as she once thought.

Themes

lawyer sitcom

Episodes

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E1 PilotNext upOct 28, 2014 · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
Corporate lawyer Nina Whitley has given up a lot in her climb to the top. However, when she's passed over for a promotion and her former fiance gets engaged to another woman, Nina has an epic meltdown.
Guest stars: Cedric Yarbrough (Morris), Catherine Reitman (Debbie), Fred Melamed (Judge Don Nelson), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Jack McGee (Burt), Laird Macintosh (Alexander), Chris Fogleman (Workman #1), Jim Cashman (Keith)
E2 DownsizingNov 4, 2014
Synopsis
Nina attends a gala honoring public defenders; however, her former colleagues are unimpressed.
Guest stars: Catherine Reitman (Debbie), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Jack McGee (Burt), Bre Blair (Maria), Chasty Ballesteros (Whispers), Matt Miller (Blue Blood), Jason Zahodnik (Rich the Waiter)
E3 Hooked & BookedNov 11, 2014
Synopsis
Phil tricks Nina into believing that all of the public defenders voluntarily go to jail to better understand their clients. She learns what lengths she'll go to be a part of the gang.
Guest stars: Cedric Yarbrough (Morris), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Lynn Wactor (Baby Jones), Eileen Grubba (Feather), Al Coronel (Guard), Jocelyn Ayanna (Inmate)
E4 Sell ItNov 18, 2014
Synopsis
Nina discovers that she needs a refresher on influencing jurors and winning friends. Phil and Trent have to deal with a curmudgeonly judge.
Guest stars: Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Jack McGee (Burt), Michael Fairman (Judge Ickles), Jeremy Rowley (Mr. Daniels), Jo Farkas (Mrs. Marble), Cristina Balmores (Nurse Marcella), Mars Crain (O'Shea 'Tinsy' Curtis)
E5 Shark, ActuallyNov 25, 2014
Synopsis
Nina is concerned that she is being played by a private defense lawyer assigned to help her. Phil attempts to impress a pretty stenographer.
Guest stars: Mehcad Brooks (George Grumbeigh Jr.), David Haley (Officer Sam), David L. King (Judge Stiles), Sandra McCoy (Lucy), Sy Richardson (Moon Rock), Casper Smart (Levon Velasquez), Paul Black (Spaulding)
E6 Rights and WrongsDec 2, 2014
Synopsis
Nina must accept that losing cases to Trent is a fact of life. Carlos gives up smoking, which worries the rest of the gang.
Guest stars: Fred Melamed (Judge Don Nelson), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Jack McGee (Burt), Michael S. Chambers (Fletcher), Victor Samuel Lopez (Eli), Ross Mackenzie (Guy), David Storrs (Messed-Up Guy), Johnny Wilson (Dave)
E7 Curry FavorDec 9, 2014 · ★ 3.3
Synopsis
Nina makes friends with a spunky forensics analyst who takes the concept of loyalty a bit too seriously. Carlos gets worrisome glimpse into Phil's life.
Guest stars: Gary Anthony Williams (Geoffrey), Fred Melamed (Judge Don Nelson), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Annie Sertich (Edie), Andrew Friedman (Farley), Christopher Neiman (Jimmy Birdbath), Hugh Davidson (Gabriel), David Douglas (Barista)
E8 Diamond Is a Girl's Worst FriendDec 16, 2014
Synopsis
Nina is assigned one of Phil's former defendants and lands herself in a bet with Phil. Meanwhile, Phil and Carlos decide to teach Micah a lesson.
Guest stars: Deon Cole (Diamond), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Jim Lau (Han), Gary Kraus (Noah Stoller), Deborah Theaker (Ruth), Harvey J. Alperin (Judge Davidson), Prince Hammond (Man #1), Jelani Quinn (Man #2)
E9 A New DevelopmentDec 23, 2014
Synopsis
Nina discovers the D.A.'s plans to arrest the city's homeless and faces a crisis of conscience.
Guest stars: Gary Anthony Williams (Geoffrey), Lynne Marie Stewart (Annie), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Michael Canetty (Judge Marshman), Damian Cecere (Assistant DA), Gus Buktenica (Balasso), Liz Jenkins (Activist)
E10 Solitary RefinementDec 23, 2014
Synopsis
An old friend asks Nina to set her up with Phil, a female judge takes a liking to Carlos, and Nina goes on an ill-fated date of her own.
Guest stars: Molly Shannon (Judge Conner), Jim Rash (Hatbrim Tony), Nat Faxon (Harold), Cedric Yarbrough (Morris), Erinn Hayes (Francine), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), William Charlton (Prosecutor)
E11 Campaign ContributionsDec 30, 2014
Synopsis
Phil is on the shortlist for Public Defender of the Year; Trent brings a young boy to court.
Guest stars: Albert Tsai (Walter), Chris Parnell (Mitch), Bart McCarthy (Professor Sacks), Fred Melamed (Judge Don Nelson), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Glen Davis (Glen 'Big Baby' Davis), Keith Blaney (Client)
E12 Brief EncountersDec 30, 2014
Synopsis
Nina faces a difficult choice after reuniting with Trent; Phil examines his own relationships.
Guest stars: Gary Anthony Williams (Geoffrey), Cedric Yarbrough (Morris), Yvette Nicole Brown (Donna), Fred Melamed (Judge Don Nelson), Maria Bamford (Cheryl), Peter Spruyt (Boring Larry), Hayes Hargrove (Gordon Makintosh), Bamm Ericsen (Client)