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M*A*S*H (TV series)

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Inspired by the film of the same name, M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) was an American television series from 1972 to 1983. The sitcom was about an outfit of medical workers stationed in Korea during the Korean War. Much like the movie, it combined elements of a "zany" comedy and a darker antiwar message. This combining of genres was unusual for television series of its time, and was in fact an early example of what later became known as a dramedy. The show's producers did not even want a laugh track in the show, but this proposal was rejected by CBS; however, as a compromise, the emergency room scenes were shown without a laugh track, and in fact the show was shown in the United Kingdom entirely without the use of canned laughter.

The show featured Alan Alda, who wrote and directed some of the most emotional and award winning episodes;

Out of all the starring characters Hawkeye, Hotlips, Klinger and Father Mulchay were the only ones in the show for its entire series. McLean Stevenson left the show at the end of the third series, so his character Henry Blake was discharged and sent home. Unfortunately though Henry Blake was killed while flying home. Wayne Rogers also left at the end of series three due to disagreements about his character, so at the beginning of series 4 Hawkeye was informed by Radar that Trapper was discharged. Col Potter and B.J Hunnicut were drafted to take place of the departed characters. Larry Linville left during the first episode of series 6 as Frank Burns became mad and was drafted away from the 4077th. Charles Winchester was his replacement. After a couple of episodess into series 8 Gary Burghoff left the series, as Radar was sent home from the war.

Gary Burghoff (Radar O'Reilly) who's real name was Walter, was the only MASH actor to reprise his role from the movie, retaining his extraordinary ability to detect the arrival of choppers transporting wounded long before anyone else could hear a thing. When Burghoff left the series, the company clerk role was taken up by Jamie Farr (Corporal(later Sergeant) Klinger, whose cross-dressing never got him the discharge he wanted).

Viewed as one of the most popular sitcoms in history, it is still a very popular syndicated series. Originally seen as an ensemble show, it became increasingly centered around Alan Alda's character, Hawkeye Pierce. The show survived many personnel changes over the course of the show, and in fact the series changed its tone over the years. Initially, the series placed more emphasis on the "zany" elements, while in the later years it focused more on serious elements and character development; however, both the serious and the comedic elements were present throughout the history of the series.

The series used the theme song "Suicide is Painless", which was taken from the film, though without the lyrics. Some said the series seemed to be more about the Vietnam War, given the attitudes of the characters, than about the Korean War -- despite its Korean setting. However, even the movie was somewhat anachronistic, given its use of such early seventies fashion as the fu manchu moustache. The show's producers have said that the movie was really about all wars, not just Korea or Vietnam.

The series was followed by After M*A*S*H starting Morgan, Farr, and Christopher reunited in a midwestern hospital after the war. It was not well regarded, and was quickly cancelled.

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