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M*A*S*H

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M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H-Title.jpg
Premiere September 17, 1972
Finale February 28, 1983
Airs Weeknights at 6 PM, 6:30 PM, 7 PM & 7:30 PM and Sundays at 7 PM & 7:30 PM on MeTV
Developed by developed for television by
Larry Gelbart
Network/Provider CBS
Style 30-minute comedic military drama
Company 20th Century Fox Television
Distributor 20th Century Fox Television (until 1989)
20th Television (1989–2020)
Disney-ABC Domestic Television (2020– )
Seasons 11
Episodes 256
Origin USA

M*A*S*H is a series spun off from the hugely popular movie of the same name. The series revolves around MASH (or Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) 4077th in Korea during the Korean War. The show employs a unique use of the dramatic sitcom in order to drive the series with an anti-war message that is lightened by comedic performances.

Although the series was set during the Korean War, critics of the show see its anti-war message as taking jabs at the Vietnam War (which was, at the time of its premiere, still in progress) due to the attitudes of the cast members and the real-life stories from M*A*S*H surgeons adapted into the episodes. However, producers of the show have said repeatedly that the series isn't about just one war, but is about all wars.

Because of the unique style of the series, the tone changed wildly over the years. The first several seasons placed heavy emphasis on zanier, more slapstick elements but later focused heavily on serious controversy and character development. Both of these sides are prevalent throughout the series, but it is clear that the scales began to tip towards one side or the other. It has been said that Alan Alda's rising prominence in every aspect of the series led to the change in focus seen in the last several seasons and that was what caused the series to jump the shark, but that point is debatable.

The series was ended when the cast voted to let the tenth season be the last. But, when CBS and 20th Century Fox offered the cast and crew a shortened eleventh season, they jumped at the chance to end the series with a grand finale. This last season led to the final episode, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, a two and a half hour special which was the single most watched episode in television history with nearly 106 million Americans (77% of total viewership that night) watching.

Following the finale, the series spawned three spin-offs: AfterMASH, Trapper John, M.D. and W*A*L*T*E*R (a pilot which wasn't picked up).

Contents

Cast

Actor Character Duration
Billed Cast 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Alan Alda Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce * * * * * * * * * * *
Wayne Rogers Capt. "Trapper John" McIntyre * * *
McLean Stevenson Lt. Col. Henry Blake * * *
Loretta Swit Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan * * * * * * * * * * *
Larry Linville Maj. Frank Burns * * * * *
Gary Burghoff Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly * * * * * * * *
Mike Farrell Capt. B.J. Hunnicut * * * * * * * *
Harry Morgan Col. Sherman T. Potter * * * * * * * *
Jamie Farr Cpl. Maxwell "Max" Q. Klinger o o o * * * * * * * *
William Christopher Father Francis J. Mulcahy o o o o * * * * * * *
David Ogden Stiers Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III * * * * * *
Orange/Red/o indicates a recurring or guest role during that season.
Dark Green indicates top billing during that season.

Seasons

Season  Premiere Finale #
CBS
Season One September 17, 1972 March 25, 1973 24
Season Two September 15, 1973 March 2, 1974 24
Season Three September 10, 1974 March 18, 1975 24
Season Four September 12, 1975 February 24, 1976 25
Season Five September 21, 1976 March 15, 1977 25
Season Six September 20, 1977 March 27, 1978 25
Season Seven September 18, 1978 March 12, 1979 26
Season Eight September 17, 1979 March 24, 1980 25
Season Nine November 17, 1980 May 4, 1981 20
Season Ten October 26, 1981 April 12, 1982 22
Season Eleven October 25, 1982 February 21, 1983 16

In-Depth

DVD Releases

Title Release Discs
Complete Series  (Region 1)
Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection November 7, 2006 purchase 36
Season Sets  (Region 1)
Season One January 8, 2002 purchase 3
Season Two July 23, 2002 purchase 3
Season Three February 18, 2003 purchase 3
Season Four July 15, 2003 purchase 3
Season Five December 9, 2003 purchase 3
Season Six June 8, 2004 purchase 3
Season Seven December 7, 2004 purchase 3
Season Eight May 24, 2005 purchase 3
Season Nine December 6, 2005 purchase 3
Season Ten May 23, 2006 purchase 3
Season Eleven November 7, 2006 purchase 3

External Sites