"Trapper John, M.D." (1979) TV series 1979-1986

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Gregory Harrison

Writers:

Victoria Johns (writer) (3 episodes)
Deborah Zoe Dawson (writer) (2 episodes)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

23 September 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This series brought the character of "Trapper John" from M*A*S*H in as the Chief of Surgery at San Franscico Memorial Hospital...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Doctor | Medical | Period In Title | Medical Doctor

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Pernell Roberts	...	Dr. John Francis Xavier 'Trapper' McIntyre (151 episodes, 1979-1986)
Brian Stokes Mitchell	...	Dr. Justin 'Jackpot' Jackson / ... (151 episodes, 1979-1986)
Gregory Harrison	...	Dr. George Alonzo 'Gonzo' Gates / ... (118 episodes, 1979-1986)

Runtime:

60 min (150 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

A court ruled that the series was not a spin-off from the television show "M*A*S*H" (1972); rather, that it was a spin-off from the film MASH (1970).

Quotes:

[As a very attractive, young female nurse walks past.]
Doctor "Trapper John" McIntyre: That's the kind of thing that makes me wish I was 20 years younger.
Doctor. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates: Me, too.
[Trapper gives Gonzo an odd look.]
Doctor. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates: I'd be 7 years old and these things wouldn't bother me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Amazing Colossal Man (#4.9)" (1991)

The Best Medical Show of the Late 1970's

This show pretty much was the opposite of the show it spun off from. While it was primarily a drama, it still had some very humorous moments. As with most medical shows at the time, the conflict of the old doctor and the young doctor was the axis on which this show rotated. Also, it was interesting to see the character of Trapper John, who definitely was a maverick, acting as a member of the establishment while working with the not only with the younger Gonzo, but with the even younger Jackpot. The show really took off when Madge Sinclair joined the cast and also when they didn't concentrate on the obvious assets of Gloria (a.k.a. Ripples). This show is definitely worth watching again.