This series was a total stroke of genius. How anybody could turn a movie box office smash whose merits were that it was bloody, gross, immoral and at times sacrilegious, water down what it was that made the movie such a hit, turn it into a family friendly sitcom without losing that edge and walk away with a hit series that outlasted the war that the series was based on, is truly a feat that would have even the wise old King Solomon impressed.
The series was at its best in the years preceding the departure of McLean Stevenson. The show never really ran out of ideas and the writers never had to dig down at the bottom, like the writers of, say, HAPPY DAYS had to do.
MASH went through various phases as its characters developed as certain members were replaced.
Still, the series was at its best when McLean Stevenson played the befuddled CO, LtCol Hnry Blake, who was manipulated relentlessly by Hawkeye and Trapper John. Any time Henry Blake had a memo to dictate to "Radar" O'Reilly, "Radar" would quote the memo as the CO was trying to find the words to say. Yet in spite of his cunning ability to outwit his CO, "Radar" still maintained his naive and child-like nature, even sleeping with his teddy bear at night.
Klinger was forever trying to get his coveted Section Eight, showing up every time with a new scheme and a new dress. Jamie Farr's portrayal of the transvestite Klinger was so hilarious that Farr will be forever live in our hearts, wearing a dress! Barry Linnville's Frank Burns was such a jerk that we couldn't help but to applaud Hawkeye and Trapper John for their cruel yet often deserving pranks on Frank Burns.
Wayne Rogers' Trapper John was the perfect accomplice for Hawkeye's many schemes. The two shared the same cunningness and the same love for their moonshine.
In the next phase, Harry Morgan came as Col. Potter, a by-the-book army colonel who was no nonsense, yet he had a heart and he truly cared for his troops.
Next, replacing Trapper John. came Mike Farrell's B.J.Hunnicutt, who though close to Hawkeye, provided a counterbalance.
The next phase came when Radar O'Reilly left and Corporal Klinger got promoted. On came a new rank and off came the dresses and evening gowns. This was a sad day for me. Klinger just wasn't the same without his wild schemes or his dresses.
As the series evolved, Hawkeye evolved into a kinder and gentler person without completely giving up his anti-military attitude.
Still, through thick and thin, the series stood strong. It remained popular and, in fact, the series, after taking a dip in the storyline, actually got better and won more fans. So the cast and crew had to pull the plug on the series, which was done in February 1983. The series went down with a bang. "Goodbye MASH" parties popped up and many bars and night clubs had their own "Goodbye MASH" parties, thus closing a chapter of TV history that will be hard to replace or duplicate.
The series was at its best in the years preceding the departure of McLean Stevenson. The show never really ran out of ideas and the writers never had to dig down at the bottom, like the writers of, say, HAPPY DAYS had to do.
MASH went through various phases as its characters developed as certain members were replaced.
Still, the series was at its best when McLean Stevenson played the befuddled CO, LtCol Hnry Blake, who was manipulated relentlessly by Hawkeye and Trapper John. Any time Henry Blake had a memo to dictate to "Radar" O'Reilly, "Radar" would quote the memo as the CO was trying to find the words to say. Yet in spite of his cunning ability to outwit his CO, "Radar" still maintained his naive and child-like nature, even sleeping with his teddy bear at night.
Klinger was forever trying to get his coveted Section Eight, showing up every time with a new scheme and a new dress. Jamie Farr's portrayal of the transvestite Klinger was so hilarious that Farr will be forever live in our hearts, wearing a dress! Barry Linnville's Frank Burns was such a jerk that we couldn't help but to applaud Hawkeye and Trapper John for their cruel yet often deserving pranks on Frank Burns.
Wayne Rogers' Trapper John was the perfect accomplice for Hawkeye's many schemes. The two shared the same cunningness and the same love for their moonshine.
In the next phase, Harry Morgan came as Col. Potter, a by-the-book army colonel who was no nonsense, yet he had a heart and he truly cared for his troops.
Next, replacing Trapper John. came Mike Farrell's B.J.Hunnicutt, who though close to Hawkeye, provided a counterbalance.
The next phase came when Radar O'Reilly left and Corporal Klinger got promoted. On came a new rank and off came the dresses and evening gowns. This was a sad day for me. Klinger just wasn't the same without his wild schemes or his dresses.
As the series evolved, Hawkeye evolved into a kinder and gentler person without completely giving up his anti-military attitude.
Still, through thick and thin, the series stood strong. It remained popular and, in fact, the series, after taking a dip in the storyline, actually got better and won more fans. So the cast and crew had to pull the plug on the series, which was done in February 1983. The series went down with a bang. "Goodbye MASH" parties popped up and many bars and night clubs had their own "Goodbye MASH" parties, thus closing a chapter of TV history that will be hard to replace or duplicate.
