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MASH celebrates 50 years
enslaved1:
The show premiered 50 years ago this weekend, Sept 17, 1972. I always rank it as the greatest TV show ever, because of a unique mix of comedy, drama, and the best character development of any TV show. Yes, the politics were interesting adn arguable, but they didn't (and mostly still don't) seem overbearing. Klinger's schemes to escape, Radar's maturing, Potter's career military style getting softened by age and the misfits of the 4077th, Charles Emerson Winchester III entire character development, from uptight egotistical elite to human who cared about the soldier getting teased for his stutter and the concert pianist who lost a hand, it all just melded.
I remember the show ending, wasn't quite around when it started, but it's a chunk of my pop culture memories.
Eupher:
I believe the final MASH show had the largest television audience for a sitcom (if not all shows save perhaps the Super Bowl) ever.
A great show, the few times I watched it.
All the same, I much preferred the movie. It was much darker than the TV version, and Sally Kellerman as Hot Lips played the shower tent scene beautifully. :naughty:
Ralph Wiggum:
Thanks for the post!
My parents went to see the movie in a theater the night before I was born. Caught the series in reruns as a young mind full of mush and now have seen every episode multiple times. Sure, it got preachy in the later years once Alan Alda took a lot of creative control.
You're correct about the ever changing development of the characters throughout the 12 year run. From Colonel Blake to Col. Potter, the other doctors from Hawkeye, Trapper, & "Ferret Face" Major Frank Burns, followed by B.J., and Winchester as replacements. And of course the evolution of Corporal Klinger and his Section 8 ploys, Radar's evolution, Margaret Houlihan softening her edge.
An absolute classic TV series.
Ralph Wiggum:
--- Quote from: Eupher on September 20, 2022, 04:42:38 PM ---I believe the final MASH show had the largest television audience for a sitcom (if not all shows save perhaps the Super Bowl) ever.
A great show, the few times I watched it.
All the same, I much preferred the movie. It was much darker than the TV version, and Sally Kellerman as Hot Lips played the shower tent scene beautifully. :naughty:
--- End quote ---
Still does, a trivia nugget I'll use every few years. IIRC, M*A*S*H, Cheers, Seinfeld, Newhart, Friends are the most watched series finales of all time.
From what I recall, the book/movie/series was meant to be a social commentary about the Vietnam War. It was only set in the Korean conflict to soften the current events of the era.
FlaGator:
Loved the original MASH movie. When I was a kid a theater allowed me and some friends in to see it. It was a double feature with "Electra Glide in Blue"... another movie a couple of 13 year olds shouldn't have been let in to see but we were regulars and that theater and times were different in 1974
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