Watch Benched

Name: Benched
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2014-10-28
Cast: Eliza Coupe

TV-14
2014
1 Season
7.1 (2,825)

Benched is an American comedy series that aired on the USA network from 2014-2015. Starring Eliza Coupe as the lead character, Nina Whitley, the show revolves around a tough-as-nails corporate lawyer who is forced to take a job as a public defender after being passed over for a promotion at her previous firm. As the series begins, Nina is at the top of her game, representing big corporations and winning high-profile cases. She's ruthless in the courtroom and has no problem with bending the rules to get what she wants. However, when she's passed over for a partnership at her firm, she snaps and has a meltdown in front of the entire office. She's fired on the spot and forced to start over. With no other options, Nina takes a job as a public defender in the same courthouse where she used to reign supreme. It's a huge step down for her, and she's not thrilled about it. The show follows her as she navigates her new surroundings, learning to work with her new colleagues, including Carlos (Oscar Nunez) and Cheryl (Maria Bamford), and taking on clients who are often down on their luck and in desperate need of her help. The show has a strong focus on Nina's character development, as she comes to terms with the fact that she may have been on the wrong side of the law in her previous job. She begins to see things from a different perspective and learns to empathize with her clients, who are often overlooked by the legal system. Along the way, she also deals with the aftermath of her personal life, including a messy breakup and strained relationships with her family. One of the strengths of the show is the chemistry between the cast members. Eliza Coupe shines as the lead, delivering fast-paced dialogue with ease and bringing a unique energy to the show. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Oscar Nunez and Maria Bamford delivering standout performances as Nina's colleagues. The show also features a number of guest stars, including Jay Harrington, Fred Melamed, and Tom Cavanagh, who add to the already strong ensemble. In terms of the show's tone, it strikes a balance between comedy and drama, with some episodes feeling more lighthearted and others delving deeper into the emotional lives of the characters. Despite the serious subject matter, the show never feels too heavy, thanks to its sharp writing and quick wit. At its core, Benched is a show about second chances and finding meaning in unexpected places. Overall, Benched is a smart, well-acted comedy that manages to balance humor with heart. Its strong character development and intriguing premise make it a standout in the crowded field of legal dramas, and its talented cast ensures that it's a joy to watch from start to finish. If you're a fan of shows like Parks and Recreation, The Mindy Project, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you'll definitely want to give Benched a try.

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Seasons

12. Brief Encounters

December 30, 2014

Nina is faced with a difficult decision after reuniting with Trent; Phil takes a hard look at his own relationships.

11. Campaign Contributions

December 30, 2014

Phil is a candidate for Public Defender of the Year; Trent brings a young boy to court.

10. Solitary Refinement

December 23, 2014

An old friend asks Nina to set her up with Phil; a female judge develops feelings for Carlos; Nina goes on an ill-fated date.

9. A New Development

December 23, 2014

Nina discovers the D.A.'s plans to arrest the city's homeless and faces a moral dilemma.

8. Diamond Is a Girl's Worst Friend

December 16, 2014

Nina is assigned one of Phil's former defendants and engages in a friendly wager with Phil. Meanwhile, Phil and Carlos decide to teach Micah a lesson.

7. Curry Favor

December 9, 2014

Nina finds a new friend in a forensics analyst; Nina's new friend takes the meaning of loyalty too far; Carlos is forced to stay with Phil for a few days.

6. Rights & Wrongs

December 2, 2014

Nina must learn to accept that losing cases to Trent is going to happen. When Carlos decides to stop smoking, the group becomes concerned.

5. Shark, Actually

November 25, 2014

Nina is suspicious that she is being played by a private defense lawyer assigned to help her. Phil vies for the attention of a pretty stenographer.

4. Sell It

November 18, 2014

Nina discovers she needs a little help on how to make friends and influence jurors. Phil and Trent encounter a crusty old judge.

3. Hooked & Booked

November 11, 2014

Phil manipulates Nina into believing that all of the public defenders voluntarily go to jail to better understand their clients. Inside she discovers how far she'll have to go to be part of the gang.

2. Downsizing

November 4, 2014

Desperate to be accepted back into her former corporate world, Nina tries to impress her old colleagues. Unfortunately, things go awry.

1. Pilot

October 28, 2014

Nina Whitley is a corporate lawyer who has given up a lot in her climb to the top. However, when she's passed over for a promotion and her fiancé gets engaged to another woman, Nina has an epic meltdown.

Description

As the series begins, Nina is at the top of her game, representing big corporations and winning high-profile cases. She's ruthless in the courtroom and has no problem with bending the rules to get what she wants. However, when she's passed over for a partnership at her firm, she snaps and has a meltdown in front of the entire office. She's fired on the spot and forced to start over.

With no other options, Nina takes a job as a public defender in the same courthouse where she used to reign supreme. It's a huge step down for her, and she's not thrilled about it. The show follows her as she navigates her new surroundings, learning to work with her new colleagues, including Carlos (Oscar Nunez) and Cheryl (Maria Bamford), and taking on clients who are often down on their luck and in desperate need of her help.

The show has a strong focus on Nina's character development, as she comes to terms with the fact that she may have been on the wrong side of the law in her previous job. She begins to see things from a different perspective and learns to empathize with her clients, who are often overlooked by the legal system. Along the way, she also deals with the aftermath of her personal life, including a messy breakup and strained relationships with her family.

One of the strengths of the show is the chemistry between the cast members. Eliza Coupe shines as the lead, delivering fast-paced dialogue with ease and bringing a unique energy to the show. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Oscar Nunez and Maria Bamford delivering standout performances as Nina's colleagues. The show also features a number of guest stars, including Jay Harrington, Fred Melamed, and Tom Cavanagh, who add to the already strong ensemble.

In terms of the show's tone, it strikes a balance between comedy and drama, with some episodes feeling more lighthearted and others delving deeper into the emotional lives of the characters. Despite the serious subject matter, the show never feels too heavy, thanks to its sharp writing and quick wit. At its core, Benched is a show about second chances and finding meaning in unexpected places.

Overall, Benched is a smart, well-acted comedy that manages to balance humor with heart. Its strong character development and intriguing premise make it a standout in the crowded field of legal dramas, and its talented cast ensures that it's a joy to watch from start to finish. If you're a fan of shows like Parks and Recreation, The Mindy Project, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you'll definitely want to give Benched a try.

Benched is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on October 28, 2014.

Where to Watch Benched

Benched is available for streaming on the USA website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Benched on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.