Recently, more than half a century after its premiere, Fox released a retrospective special about the storied anti-war sitcom "M*A*S*H" that included rare and previously unseen interviews with the show's cast and crew. When they weren't reminiscing about their characters and opening up about cast changes over the years, former members of the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital discussed episodes of the show that broke the TV mold, pushing the medium beyond its established boundaries and yanking on viewers' heartstrings in unexpected ways.
Among the spotlighted episodes in "M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television" was "The Interview," the season 4 finale that saw the show briefly take the form of a black-and-white war documentary. The late writer and executive producer Burt Metcalfe said the experiment took inspiration from Edward R. Murrow's 1950s newsreel show "See It Now," which included interviews in Korea during the war. "We'd always had a...
Among the spotlighted episodes in "M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television" was "The Interview," the season 4 finale that saw the show briefly take the form of a black-and-white war documentary. The late writer and executive producer Burt Metcalfe said the experiment took inspiration from Edward R. Murrow's 1950s newsreel show "See It Now," which included interviews in Korea during the war. "We'd always had a...
- 1/7/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Over 50 years ago, the war dramedy series "M*A*S*H" broke new ground by transforming Robert Altman's film of the same name into what would become one of the most important television shows in history. Given the series' wartime background, for as funny as the show was, it was also deeply emotional and tackled some seriously harrowing subject matter. But what episode impacted the cast the most? In the new TV special "M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television," actor Mike Farrell (Captain B.J. Hunnicutt) talked about filming "Old Soldiers," getting choked up thinking about the gravity of the episode's meaning.
For those who have seen the episode, it's definitely one that packs an emotional wallop. Directed by Charles S. Durbin and written by Dennis Koenig, season 8, episode 18, "Old Soldiers," centered on Colonel Potter after he discovered that he was the last surviving member of his WWI veteran friend group. The...
For those who have seen the episode, it's definitely one that packs an emotional wallop. Directed by Charles S. Durbin and written by Dennis Koenig, season 8, episode 18, "Old Soldiers," centered on Colonel Potter after he discovered that he was the last surviving member of his WWI veteran friend group. The...
- 1/4/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
When Larry Gelbart brought "M*A*S*H" to television, he had dauntingly spacious shoes to fill. Robert Altman's 1970 film, based on a novel by Richard Hooker, was a New Hollywood sensation that mined the Korean War (an obvious Vietnam substitute) for edgy, hard R-rated laughs. It was the third-highest-grossing movie of the year and racked up five Academy Award nominations (including one for Best Picture). Matching the quality of the film was challenging enough. The biggest problem facing Gelbart was retaining the ribald tone, a tall order considering network television's conservative content standards in the early 1970s.
Gelbart's solution was to sand down the sharp misogynistic edges of the characters and embrace a more humanistic gallows sense of humor. The small-screen version of the 4077th was certainly mischievous, but they weren't mean-spirited. They would've never pulled the humiliating shower prank on Hot Lips from the film. Yes, there were extreme personality clashes,...
Gelbart's solution was to sand down the sharp misogynistic edges of the characters and embrace a more humanistic gallows sense of humor. The small-screen version of the 4077th was certainly mischievous, but they weren't mean-spirited. They would've never pulled the humiliating shower prank on Hot Lips from the film. Yes, there were extreme personality clashes,...
- 12/16/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Few shows in the history of broadcast television can ever claim they were as successful as "M*A*S*H." Based on Richard Hooker's book "Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors," and the Robert Altman film that previously adapted that same book, the series aired for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983 totaling a whopping 256 episodes. Its series finale remains the most-watched finale of any TV series. Unfortunately, the spin-off "AfterMASH" couldn't recapture that same magic — and the show's creator thinks he knows why.
The spin-off series only lasted two seasons, with the second season having its run cut short after the ratings plummeted. It was a short-lived experiment that failed to live up to its predecessor. In "TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book," author Ed Solomonson spoke with "AfterMASH" co-creator Larry Gelbart, who also developed the original show. When asked about the spin-off, Gelbart first...
The spin-off series only lasted two seasons, with the second season having its run cut short after the ratings plummeted. It was a short-lived experiment that failed to live up to its predecessor. In "TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book," author Ed Solomonson spoke with "AfterMASH" co-creator Larry Gelbart, who also developed the original show. When asked about the spin-off, Gelbart first...
- 12/9/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
At the conclusion of its fourth season in 1976, "M*A*S*H" finished a disappointing fourteenth in the Nielsen ratings, a sizable step down from ranking fourth and fifth in the two years prior. It wasn't the show's fault. The series was still one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms on television; it earned eight Primetime Emmy awards for that season and won two. The reason for the ratings slip was some puzzling time slot shuffling by CBS, which moved "M*A*S*H" from its Tuesday perch to Friday, a notoriously off night for TV viewing. When the series' audience precipitously declined, the network moved it back to Tuesday halfway through the season, where it quickly recovered. All, it appeared, was well with the 4077th.
Except it wasn't, at least not with series creator Larry Gelbart. The veteran TV comedy writer was getting sick of the medium and feeling hemmed in by his hit series.
Except it wasn't, at least not with series creator Larry Gelbart. The veteran TV comedy writer was getting sick of the medium and feeling hemmed in by his hit series.
- 11/18/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
For one of television history's most beloved sitcoms, "M*A*S*H" was always walking a tight line. Premiering in 1972, it would go on for 11 years, depicting with raunchy humor and deep pathos the plights of a mobile surgical hospital on the frontlines of the Korean War. Early on, the show adopted the anarchic, bawdy comedic sensibility of the books by Richard Hooker (pseudonym for H. Richard Hornberger) and their 1970 Robert Altman film adaptation. But as with most long-running television shows, things change.
"M*A*S*H" was only nominally about the Korean War. It was hardly concerned with period-accurate detail (as plenty of the hairstyles demonstrate) and characters like series lead Hawkeye (Alan Alda) felt entirely out of time to begin with. Hawkeye's sense of humor was like the Marx Brothers, only translated to the then-current war in Vietnam. Korea existed in dialogue and major plotlines, but the feelings the show evoked were directly in conversation with contemporaneous issues.
"M*A*S*H" was only nominally about the Korean War. It was hardly concerned with period-accurate detail (as plenty of the hairstyles demonstrate) and characters like series lead Hawkeye (Alan Alda) felt entirely out of time to begin with. Hawkeye's sense of humor was like the Marx Brothers, only translated to the then-current war in Vietnam. Korea existed in dialogue and major plotlines, but the feelings the show evoked were directly in conversation with contemporaneous issues.
- 9/22/2023
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
Hawkeye and Trapper’s antics. Hawkeye and B.J.’s pranks. Frank and Hot Lips’s torrid romance. Klinger’s cross-dressing. Colonel Blake and Colonel Potter’s attempts to reign in the craziness. On September 17, 1972, “M*A*S*H” premiered, and for the next 11 years, the friendships, the tragedies and the hijinks of the 4077th captivated audiences. Let’s now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CBS premiere with our photo gallery ranking the 25 best episodes. All episodes are now streaming on Hulu. Reelz also has a new documentary titled “M*A*S*H: When Television Changed Forever” that recently debuted.
The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies...
The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies...
- 9/17/2022
- by Susan Pennington and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Hawkeye and Trapper’s antics. Hawkeye and B.J.’s pranks. Frank and Hot Lips’s torrid romance. Klinger’s cross-dressing. Colonel Blake and Colonel Potter’s attempts to reign in the craziness. On September 17, 1972, “M*A*S*H” premiered, and for the next 11 years, the friendships, the tragedies and the hijinks of the 4077th captivated audiences. Let’s now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CBS premiere with our photo gallery ranking the 25 best episodes.
The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies that come through the surgical camp with the comic relief of the character’s efforts to survive the war with humor and compassion.
The first...
The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies that come through the surgical camp with the comic relief of the character’s efforts to survive the war with humor and compassion.
The first...
- 9/10/2022
- by Susan Pennington, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
Jamie Farr hosts “M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr” A Weeklong Presentation of His Favorite Episodes’ to help celebrate the MeTV Network commemorate M*A*S*H’s 50th anniversary.
The special weeklong presentation includes Jamie Farr’s favorite episodes, hosted commentary, memories, and stories from his time as co-star of one of television’s greatest all-time favorites.
“M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr” airs September 12-16, 2022, from 7-8 pm Et/Pt on MeTV, with two of Farr’s hand-picked “best of” episodes airing nightly.
M*A*S*H is part of MeTV’s memorable and entertaining weeknight lineup, airing two back-to-back episodes starting at 7 pm Et/Pt every Monday-Friday and Sunday night.
“M*A*S*H has been a staple of the MeTV weeknight schedule since the network began, and it’s a show with lasting relevancy and audience appeal,” said Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co....
The special weeklong presentation includes Jamie Farr’s favorite episodes, hosted commentary, memories, and stories from his time as co-star of one of television’s greatest all-time favorites.
“M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr” airs September 12-16, 2022, from 7-8 pm Et/Pt on MeTV, with two of Farr’s hand-picked “best of” episodes airing nightly.
M*A*S*H is part of MeTV’s memorable and entertaining weeknight lineup, airing two back-to-back episodes starting at 7 pm Et/Pt every Monday-Friday and Sunday night.
“M*A*S*H has been a staple of the MeTV weeknight schedule since the network began, and it’s a show with lasting relevancy and audience appeal,” said Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co....
- 7/29/2022
- by Laura Nowak
- TVfanatic
Gene Reynolds, who co-created the lauded TV series M*A*S*H that centered on an American medical team stationed in South Korea during the Korean War, has died. He was 96.
Reynolds died on Monday of heart failure at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, CNN reports. The news was confirmed in a statement from the Directors Guild of America. Reynolds served as the DGA’s president from 1993 to 1997.
“Gene’s influence on the modern Directors Guild of America was significant and lasting,” DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement.
Reynolds died on Monday of heart failure at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, CNN reports. The news was confirmed in a statement from the Directors Guild of America. Reynolds served as the DGA’s president from 1993 to 1997.
“Gene’s influence on the modern Directors Guild of America was significant and lasting,” DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement.
- 2/5/2020
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
It was 50 years ago next month that Alan Alda attended his first Hollywood awards show but it didn’t go so great that first time. Alda was one of the runners-up in the “most promising newcomer” category (which is now long defunct) at the 26th Golden Globes in 1969 — but the future M*A*S*H icon would more than make up for that early setback over the course a gold-plated career that has included plenty of acceptance speeches.
Six Golden Globes and six Emmys have competed for the dwindling space on Alda’s mantle over the years but on Sunday he seemed genuinely dazzled by his latest prize: SAG’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes both his accomplishments on screen and stage as well as his considerable humanitarian and charity work during a career that spans six different decades.
The SAG honor arrived a day before another milestone for Alda.
Six Golden Globes and six Emmys have competed for the dwindling space on Alda’s mantle over the years but on Sunday he seemed genuinely dazzled by his latest prize: SAG’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes both his accomplishments on screen and stage as well as his considerable humanitarian and charity work during a career that spans six different decades.
The SAG honor arrived a day before another milestone for Alda.
- 1/28/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Kristen Stewart, 'Camp X-Ray' star, to join cast of 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' Kristen Stewart to join 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' movie After putting away her Bella Swan wig and red (formerly brown) contact lenses, Kristen Stewart has been making a number of interesting career choices. Here are three examples: Stewart was a U.S. soldier who befriends an inmate (Peyman Moaadi) at the American Gulag, Guantanamo, in Peter Sattler's little-seen (at least in theaters) Camp X-Ray. She was one of Best Actress Oscar winner Julianne Moore's daughters in Wash Westmoreland and the recently deceased Richard Glatzer's Alzheimer's drama Still Alice. She was the personal assistant to troubled, aging actress Juliette Binoche in Olivier Assayas' Clouds of Sils Maria, which earned her a history-making Best Supporting Actress César. (Stewart became the first American actress to take home the French Academy Award.
- 4/4/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Mash: A novel about three army doctors, by Richard Hooker, was first published in 1968. Two years later Robert Altman’s screen version was released, becoming the third highest-grossing movie of 1970 and picking up five oscar nominations. The film’s success led to the long-running sitcom of the same name, which went on to become easily the most recognisable version of Mash. The movie was a significant breakthrough for Robert Altman, both commercially successful and critically lauded, paving the way for his ascension in hollywood. Many of the actors also rose to stardom following the film’s success, notably Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould. While the film may languish in the shadow of the TV series, the novel, never as successful as either, is now almost forgotten.
Mash was written by a former army doctor, Richard Hornberger, drawing on his own experiences in the Korean war. After a number of...
Mash was written by a former army doctor, Richard Hornberger, drawing on his own experiences in the Korean war. After a number of...
- 3/31/2013
- by Edward Kuhne
- Obsessed with Film
Fans of classic movies know that "Woman of the Year" marks the beginning of the 25-year partnership, on- and off-screen, between one of film's most beloved and enduring couples: Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Released 70 years ago today (on January 19, 1942), "Woman of the Year" came to define combustible romantic chemistry, thanks to the two fiery, evenly-matched leads. It launched a partnership that lasted until Tracy's death in 1967, a quarter-century union that resulted in nine films and an extramarital affair that was Hollywood's worst kept secret. What fans may not know is how the partnership came to be, who the real-life inspirations were for Hepburn's high-minded columnist and Tracy's earthy sportswriter, or the forgotten screen pairing of the two stars that came four years earlier. Read on for the untold story of "Woman of the Year" and its long afterlife in the realms of Broadway, TV, and magazines. 1. "Woman of the Year...
- 1/19/2012
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
This week’s pick is the 1970 comedy classic M*A*S*H, from acclaimed director Robert Altman. M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) was adapted by screen writer Ring Lardner, Jr. and based on the hit novel from Richard Hooker about three military surgeons who are stationed three miles from the front lines during the Korean War. The film [...]...
- 7/5/2010
- by Douglas Barnett
- The Flickcast
Chicago – The film and TV journey of “M*A*S*H” was recently present at the Hollywood Celebrities Show in Rosemont, Illinois. From the film, Elliott Gould and Sally Kellerman were there, as well as Gregory Harrison of “Trapper John, M.D.”
HollywoodChicago.com put the three stars through their interview paces at the event and also asked them to pose for Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto.
The saga of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, based in Korea during that war, spawned a virtual entertainment industry. The book called “M*A*S*H,” by Richard Hooker (a pseudonym for Dr. Richard Hornberger) was released in 1968 and was a publishing sensation.
The legendary director Robert Altman made his mark with the film version in 1970. And then, of course, the M*A*S*H fate was sealed in the guise of the extremely popular TV sitcom from 1972-1983. So popular was the series,...
HollywoodChicago.com put the three stars through their interview paces at the event and also asked them to pose for Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto.
The saga of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, based in Korea during that war, spawned a virtual entertainment industry. The book called “M*A*S*H,” by Richard Hooker (a pseudonym for Dr. Richard Hornberger) was released in 1968 and was a publishing sensation.
The legendary director Robert Altman made his mark with the film version in 1970. And then, of course, the M*A*S*H fate was sealed in the guise of the extremely popular TV sitcom from 1972-1983. So popular was the series,...
- 12/22/2009
- by PatrickMcD
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – I worry that young people out there raised on syndicated reruns don’t know that the beloved TV show “M*A*S*H” is actually based on not just any movie but a great comedy featuring two actors at or near their prime and directed by one of the best directors that ever lived. Perhaps a great new Blu-Ray release from Fox will correct the oversight.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0 “M*A*S*H” still stands as one of the best comedies of the ’70s, nearly four decades after it was released. Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, Gary Burghoff, and Robert Duvall star in the film that introduced the world to the surgeons of the 4077, a group of Army medical experts stationed in Korea during the war who look at the darkness of war with a hilarious, lunatic viewpoint.
M*A*S*H was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st,...
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0 “M*A*S*H” still stands as one of the best comedies of the ’70s, nearly four decades after it was released. Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, Gary Burghoff, and Robert Duvall star in the film that introduced the world to the surgeons of the 4077, a group of Army medical experts stationed in Korea during the war who look at the darkness of war with a hilarious, lunatic viewpoint.
M*A*S*H was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st,...
- 9/8/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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