M*A*S*H - 1972-1983

M*A*S*H

1972-1983

Creator - Larry Gelbart

 

It took me just over a year but I rewatched M*A*S*H and at the beginning alternated seasons with seasons of Columbo. I had always been a fan, I can remember watching episodes with my dad, my grandmother, and later my step-mom had the series on DVD. Before beginning the series, I watched the 1970 movie, which I am pretty certain I had never seen. After finishing the series I watched M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television which was released in 2024, and W*A*L*T*E*R (1984) which was filmed as a pilot and only aired once. I could not find anywhere to watch After MASH (1983-1985). Trapper John M.D. (1976-1986) is a spinoff of the 1970 movie and I do recall it a bit from my childhood, apparently the pilot has a photo of Rodgers and Alda thus partially linking it to the TV show.

 

It was interesting watching the series from beginning to end. Many of the episodes were familiar, I few I recalled in their entirety, and only a couple did I not recall at all. I felt a certain sense of melancholy every time the opening sequence played. Over the last several years my son and I have read many books about Military Chaplains, especially Emil Kapaun. But the melancholy was appropriate for the material, I feel like the theme song became more sombre as the seasons progressed, it felt muted and more sombre in the later seasons.

 

What stuck out to me watching the entire season was the realism. The series started as pure comedy but soon they start tackling deeper subjects, and they explored many different ways to present the episodes story. Two that stand out are the episode filmed entirely from the patient’s Point of View, and the one with a running clock in the corner counting down in real time Life Time. The episode where Hawkeye and Houlihan get trapped in an active battle Comrades in Arms. BJ’s failing at keeping his marital vows Hanky Panky. And even Father Francis Mulcahy’s loss of hearing and struggles with his faith over it.

 

What I think of most when reflecting on the series is friendships, and even just acquaintances coming together in difficult times and finding a way to get through them. I think about comradery and having support. I think about faith, doubt, and finding a way to keep moving forward no matter what life throws at you.

 

The key cast members are:

 

Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce - Alan Alda

Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Penobscott) - Loretta Swit

Maxwell Q. Klinger - Jamie Farr

Father John Patrick Francis Mulcahy - William Christopher

Trapper John McIntyre - Wayne Rogers

Henry Blake - McLean Stevenson

Frank Burns - Larry Linville

Walter Eugene "Radar" O'Reilly - Gary Burghoff 

B.J. Hunnicutt - Mike Farrell

Sherman T. Potter - Harry Morgan

Charles Emerson Winchester III - David Ogden Stiers

 

When the series ended it was the highest rated Television Show of all time for live viewership. It is a record it still holds for non sporting television, and one unlikely to ever be broken in the age of streaming. The show had 64 wins and 154 nominations for awards including 14 Primetime Emmys. And Alan Alda won three different Emmeys he won: Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (twice), Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series also a record.

 

M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television which was released in 2024 used footage from the 30th Anniversary special for cast members who are now deceased and new footage with several of the surviving cast members. Woven around the story about the series and stories about on and off set happenings.

 

I greatly enjoyed rewatching this series and seeing it from beginning to end. What I love most is it is about friendships and relationships. And it took me back to watching it with my father. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 251 episodes and believe it is better than much on TV or streaming these days. If you have not watched it, maybe give it a try, and if it brings back fond memories maybe revisit the series. Goodbye, so long and farewell.