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.