MAS*H
Summary
TheMASHreunion included several big reveals about the inner workings of making the series , include how some of its with child constituent came to be . When CBS greenlit the labor in the former ' 70s , it was already the second adaptation of Richard Hooker ’s book — MASH : A Novel About Three Army Doctors . The success of Robert Altman ’s photographic film was a double - abut blade for the war show , but it eventually proved that the account was so much better with a longer storytelling formatting . 40 years since it ended in 1983 with the highest - rated TV sequence , " Goodbye , Farewell , and Amen,“MASHremains at the head of dad culture , and somehow , evermore relevant .
Due to its ethnic impact , not to advert broadcasting achiever , there have been severalMASHreunions since it ended in 1983 . In 2002 , there was also a Fox special that celebrate the show ’s 30th anniversary . The 4077 basis ingroup was recreated , and the majority of the casting came together for a merriment get - together . More lately , there was anotherMASHreunion five eld ago , albeit on the side , as shape members come along for a extra sequence of Alan Alda ’s podcast , Clear+Vivid . The latest one had a dissimilar formatting from its predecessors , but it still featured several new reveals about the dear state of war clowning dramatic event .
MASH is one of the most groundbreaking shows ever . While it hold its quality throughout its run , some of its seasons were better than others .
10The MASH Pilot Was Written In Just Two Days
CBS' MASH pilot was written by Larry Gelbart.
MASHhad some kinks it had to work on when it debuted in 1972 . However , what was clean-cut from the get - go was the interpersonal chemistry of its cast . Aside from assembling a nifty supporting players , another reason why it was so obvious was through the narrative of the pilot . Written by Larry Gelbart , who eventually write and bring on more episode , the premiere simply titled " Pilot " was written in just two day . Gelbart himself tell this in archival footage featured in the newMASHreunion .
9MASH Season 1’s Poor Rating Was Because Of Its Timeslot
MASH originally aired on Sundays at 8 pm.
It ’s difficult to think ofMASHas a paygrade failure , but it was that throughout the entirety of its freshman year . At the conclusion of its first season , it was at the bottom of the ranking at the 51st slot . Despite obtain rave reviews from critics , not to mention have got some brand recognition due to the successful film that preceded it , MASHcouldn’t ascertain its hearing . Ultimately , things switch when it shift timeslots from having heavy rival at 8 pm on Sundays to 8:30 on Saturdays .
After MASH ended in 1983 , CBS launched its sequel serial publication , AfterMASH , but several notable 4077 graphic symbol did n’t yield for the abruptly - hold out task .
8Alan Alda Was In Prison When He Got The MASH Script
The Hawkeye actor was in a prison in Iowa working on a movie.
WhileMASHwas an ensemble , its true atomic number 82 was arguablyAlan Alda ’s Captain Benjamin " Hawkeye " Pierce . The actor not only became the face of the series , but he also expanded his creative wallop on the series by direct , piece of writing , and even producing the CBS medical funniness - play . The way he amount across the project was nothing short of left over , however , as he received the script forMASHwhile he was in prison house in Iowa . He was n’t incarcerated , he was just there filming a film .
7Loretta Swit Had To Fight For Hot Lips’ MASH Arc
Hot Lips eventually became Margaret Houlihan.
As the only main distaff eccentric inMASH , Loretta Swit ’s Margaret went through an all-inclusive personal spark in the serial , mainly in terms of her love life . After her affair with Frank Burns , she got marry and divorced . Despite her flaw , it ’s hard to regain shift in her commitment to her sworn duty as a military nurse . Over time , she became more than just a dear interest and nurse , she became a full fleshed - out graphic symbol — something that Swit had to agitate her way throughout the show . She desire tooutgrow Margaret ’s Hot Lips role , and at the end ofMASH , she did .
6Klinger’s MASH Cross-Dressing Was Divisive
Jamie Farr’s Klinger stopped wearing dresses in MASH season 8.
Played by Jamie Farr , Klinger was introduced a few instalment afterMASHpremiered . He was well known for hybridizing - dressing during the first several years of the series as a path to convince the army to give him a Section 8 , which would hold him unfit to service in the military . Writer and producer Burt Metcalfe revealed that he thought that the bit went for far too foresighted than it want to . Meanwhile , Radar player Gary Burghoff straight - up confessed that he hate the whole schtick .
5"Sometimes You Hear The Bullet” Changed MASH Forever
MASH’s “Sometimes You Hear The Bullet” was its first dramedy.
MASHwas sky as a situation comedy , but calling it that feels inaccurate and misleading now . When the show premiered , however , it tend into the silliness and hilarity of the 4077 personnel , spearheaded by Hawkeye and Trapper John McIntyre . It was a gradual shift to find the delicate balance between comedy and drama , considering that its backdrop was a horrible war . That being said , it all started withMASHseason 1 , episode 17 , " Sometimes You Hear the Bullet , " where Hawkeye ’s acquaintance from back rest home dies on his operating mesa . It was the first meter the show kill an important character , and it actuate them to be sheer in their storytelling .
Several extremity of the 4077 will re - assemble for a special MASH reunion , which will function as an effective admonisher of its secure years .
4McLean Stevenson’s MASH Exit Was Due To External Factors
Stevenson had regrets about leaving MASH.
Henry Blake ’s destruction is arguably the most shockingMASHplot twist , but his death come on the heels of McLean Stevenson ’s decision to leave the series . Executive manufacturer Gene Reynolds retrieve in theMASHreunion special that there were masses around him that some people were convince him that he could have his own show base on the success ofMASH . In Stevenson ’s archival footage , he allow that he got carried away by those whisper , break down to realize that people roll in the hay Blake but did n’t care much about the actor playing it .
3Harry Morgan Previously Played A Different MASH Character
Morgan was previously mentally unbalanced Major General Bartford Hamilton Steele in MASH.
As ineffectual as he was as the 4077 ’s dominate officer , it was still a tall order to interchange Blake . Somehow , however , MASHwas able to do it when it bring in Harry Morgan ’s Sherm Potter . What make this cast more impressive is the fact that Morgan already played a dissimilar part in the show just a couplet of old age earlier in mentally imbalanced Major General Bartford Hamilton Steele . Considering how different the characters were , it ’s easy to forget this twofold cast . For what it ’s worth , he played both bright , but he fit Potter so much better .
2Gary Burghoff’s MASH Exit Was Less Dramatic
Burghoff was the only actor who both appeared in the show and the film.
There have been a lot of rumors about the real reason Burghoff leftMASHas Radar . For starters , he was the last major original cast member to leave the series , and he was the only actor who both star in the CBS war funniness - drama and Altman ’s film in 1970 . However , the histrion cleared things up in the new Fox special , and it was n’t as striking as report . According to him , his contract just expired , and he did n’t re - negotiate because he was step back from everything to deal with some personal issues . He did get to re - do some of the scenes in his farewell episodes to get it right .
Trapper ’s unexpected departure from the 4077 left Hawkeye distraught , but Wayne Rogers ' characters actually bade his Swamp - mate in MASH .
1One Of MASH’s Best Episodes Was Improvised
“The Interview” was Gelbart’s final episode in MASH.
MASHhad so many expectant episodes . It did have a hebdomadary data format , but from time to time , it jeopardize out creatively to do something groundbreaking . One of , if not its greatest episode , however , encounter to be the final outing that Gelbart directed and save — theMASHseason 3 close , " The Interview . " Apparently , it was mostly improvise , with the roll given a set of questions and being asked to answer them like their characters . There were some changes , but the majority of their responses were hold back . It was a bad move that pay off big prison term .
MAS*H is a drama - comedy serial set during the Korean War , centering on the lives of the faculty at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenge of wartime aesculapian military service with humor and resilience .
MASH is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.*
