From the M*A*S*H Library 12: TV Guide Magazine Puzzler

What is it?

Fell, Michael, ed. “M*A*S*H.” TV Guide Magazine Puzzler. July 2022.

Why should M*A*S*H fans care?

This is another special edition magazine to celebrate the M*A*S*H 50th anniversary, but this issue has a fun twist since it is filled with puzzles! The full color photos and facts throughout make this even more exciting.

As a M*A*S*H fan, what part(s) should I read?

Read it all and see how you do with the puzzles!

TL;DR Review

A fun collection of puzzles and trivia celebrating M*A*S*H‘s 50th anniversary. Instead of releasing a magazine with articles and interviews, TV Guide made this special edition puzzle book, and it’s a real winner.

Full Review

There have been several special edition magazines released in 2022 celebrating the M*A*S*H 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H, but so far, this one is the most unique. The July 2022 issue of the TV Guide Magazine Puzzler is fully devoted to M*A*S*H. When I first heard about this magazine, I expected a simple, news printed magazine with crosswords and word searches that you typically see on newsstands. But I was wrong! This is a full color puzzle magazine that has M*A*S*H photos and trivia along the way. I was so impressed that I ordered another copy so I could work through all of the puzzles! Let’s take a look at everything this issue has to offer.

The puzzler contains ten different types of puzzles including word searches, crosswords, criss crosses, sudokus, word scrambles, and picture quizzes. By my count, there are over 50 different puzzles throughout the magazine, and they follow two main themes: the characters of M*A*S*H and the seasons. Each main character gets a brief biography and three puzzles related to that character. Then for each season, there is a description and two puzzles, the majority of which are word searches. Throughout the issue there are puzzles that apply to the series as a whole. For a magazine that lists for $4.99 on the newsstand (or $7.99 online), this is a great value.

This issue of the TV Guide Magazine Puzzler surprised me in the best way possible. The puzzles are fun, can be challenging, and are a unique way to celebrate the series. While Life and Parade magazines released more serious M*A*S*H retrospectives, I like that this magazine took a fun and interactive approach. Like I said, I had to buy a second copy so I could save one for the collection and work through the other! You still might be able to find this issue on your local newsstand, but if not, you can order the back issue online here. I highly recommend getting a copy before they are gone!