Before the start of each season, 20th Century Fox Television sent a set of press release documents for M*A*S*H (see full press kits for season 10 and season 11). These press materials typically included information about the series, the premiere episode, and cast photos. For season five, I do not have a full set of preview documents, but I do have the “About the Production” document and a two-page preview of the premiere episode. Since I reviewed the script for “Bug Out,” the season five opener, last week, it seemed fitting to discuss the press materials that would have been released prior the episode airing.
The first document we will review is “About the Production.” It is three pages long, and includes information about the series, the achievements of the the principal actors, and details about some of the producers and writers. The release also discusses the show’s ratings and awards. Notably, the press release discusses M*A*S*H winning the “coveted George F. Peabody Award for broadcasting excellence” in 1975. Fox says that M*A*S*H was the “only primetime series ever to be so honored.” The actors highlighted in the document are Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, and Jamie Christopher. The release also discusses the departure of Larry Gelbart from the series, but mentioned that Gene Reynolds remained on staff. Don Reo, Allan Katz, and Burt Meltcalfe are mentioned as producers of the series.
The second document, dated September 3, 1976, previews the hour-long season five premiere episode. We know that the episode was titled “Bug Out,” but that is not mentioned in the release. There isn’t a synopsis of the episode either, but I am sure that would have been provided to the press closer to the air date of September 21. We learn that for season five, M*A*S*H aired on Tuesday nights at 9pm ET on CBS. The release lists the details of the cast and primary crew, and also lists the cast for the premiere episode. Eileen Saki is credited, and interestingly, Jeff Maxwell is credited as Salkowitz despite being left off the ending credits of the episode itself.
I do wish I had a full season five press kit with all of the documentation because I am sure Fox sent out more information (and photos) than I have. Despite the likely missing pages, we get a lot of information about M*A*S*H, its actors, and the key members of the production team. The press release also teased the hour-long season five premiere. Of course, M*A*S*H didn’t exist in a vacuum. All of the other CBS shows, and shows from the other networks, would have sent out similar press materials for their fall primetime lineups. September was a busy month for entertainment journalists because of all the new shows that would premiere throughout the month on the main networks. Fans of M*A*S*H and other shows in 1976 would have been waiting to learn when their favorite shows would return with new episodes!
The M*A*S*H Historian 