M*A*S*H Headlines 7: AfterMASH Opens Strong Despite Lackluster Storylines

“M*A*S*H Headlines” is a new, limited series of posts that focuses on the press reaction to various events in the M*A*S*H timeline. The Press Pass posts focus on the press materials released by 20th Century Fox and CBS, but this series of posts focuses on the press coverage of M*A*S*H events including the release of Robert Altman’s film, the premiere of the M*A*S*H pilot episode on CBS, the death of Henry Blake, the M*A*S*H finale, and more! See the full series of Headlines posts here.

When Entertainment Weekly ranked the best and worst spin-offs of all time, AfterMASH made the worst list. This is a consistent theme for a the M*A*S*H spin-off as it often appears in the worst spin-off lists that are compiled. It is easy to make that judgement in retrospect, so I wanted to look back at how the contemporary critics reviewed AfterMASH when it premiered in September 1983. It was a highly anticipated series, and there was a lot of pressure on the M*A*S*H show runners who remained with AfterMASH and on Larry Gelbart, who returned to lead the series. Actors Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher reprised their roles, but the setting changed to a veterans hospital in Col. Potter’s home state of Missouri. AfterMASH debuted at #1 in the ratings, but it quickly tumbled, and as the show’s audience diminished, so did its quality. This week, we will look at how the media reviewed the premiere episode of AfterMASH, the season two premiere, and how the ultimate cancellation of the series was handled.

Premiere Episode (September 1983)

As I wrote in the headlines post covering the final episode of M*A*S*H, it was announced fairly early that a spin-off series was in the works for CBS. After the record breaking finale, CBS and Twentieth Century Fox Television were eager to continue to capture the M*A*S*H audience. AfterMASH debuted on CBS on September 26, 1983, and it was the highest rated show that week. But looking at the newspaper coverage that followed, it was clear that everything was not rosy for the new series. There were several articles leading up to the premiere episode, and they all bought in on the hype. It had been announced that Gelbart had returned to write for and produce the series, and that only raised expectations. However, there were a few signs of trouble. Lee Margulies discussed how AfterMASH was up against the reputation of M*A*S*H, especially following the record breaking finale. There were concerns that the show wouldn’t live up to the hype. And maybe Fox and CBS had similar concerns. Tom Hopkins discussed AfterMASH and stated, “CBS has decided not to pre-screen AfterMASH, but I wouldn’t let that worry me.”

As it turns out, the majority of the reviews of AfterMASH were not positive. Canadian columnist Bill Musselwhite simply stated that AfterMASH “needs laughs.” That was a common complaint about later seasons of M*A*S*H, however, so that may have not been a big concern. But Musselwhite continued his critique with a bigger issue, “M*A*S*H was an ensemble show, and one of the great ones, but Alda’s Hawkeye was the glue holding the show together.” AfterMASH was missing a star. Morgan, Farr, and Christopher were great actors, and they each portrayed lovable characters, but none of their characters were the lead of M*A*S*H. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only concern expressed about the series. Fred Rothenberg pointed out that while M*A*S*H was also set in the 1950s, it didn’t work as well with AfterMASH. He said, “It’s set in 1953 and it feels like another generation with old cars and older looking suits. It looks dated.” M*A*S*H was able to hide the fact it was set in the 1950s behind the olive drab. But it was Mike Duffy who offered the most damning review by simply saying, “The opening credits were the best part of the show.” Then, of course, there was the biggest concern. David Bianculi said the series was interesting but, “like the final episode of M*A*S*H, it fell short of the promise, yet failed at least partially because expectations were so high.” In summary, AfterMASH was lacking direction, a star, felt dated, and failed to meet expectations. That is not a great start for a new series that had promise.

The reviews of AfterMASH weren’t all negative, but even the positive reviewers were skeptical. There were several columnists and critics who saw the potential in the series. Gerald B. Jordan stated that AfterMASH was “close in spirit to the original.” Like M*A*S*H, the hearts of the central characters were in the right place, but the storylines weren’t there yet. And that was the consensus of the kinder critics. Roger Pitt wanted to give the show time to grow, and David Klein said, “The potential is there.” Steven Reddicliffe was the most optimistic stating, “Watching the premiere episode of AfterMASH, one got the feeling that the fun was just beginning.” Unfortunately for AfterMASH, first impressions are key, and the show failed to capture an audience. According to data gathered by MASH4077TV, AfterMASH went from the top five in the first two weeks to 17th in week three. The show would stay in the top 20 for most of the first season, but near the bottom of that list. While M*A*S*H was never a #1 show in the ratings (apart from the finale), it was always solidly in the top five or top ten, so the ratings had to be a disappointment. As the ratings dropped, the network and show runners scrambled to make changes.

Season 2 Premiere (September 1984)

After high expectations for the premiere and the first season of AfterMASH, the network and show’s producers knew the series was in trouble before the second season began. The ratings had dropped consistently since the series premiered, and they began to scramble to make changes. In the first season, Jay O. Sanders’ character was replaced by David Ackroyd‘s. Sander’s Dr. Pfeiffer was a new doctor learning from Potter, but Ackroyd’s Dr. Boyer was a more experienced veteran with an edgier storyline. The change fell flat. Between the two seasons, more cast changes were made. John Chappell‘s hospital administrator character, Mike D’Angelo” was replaced by Peter Michael Goetz‘s more serious, Wally Wainright. They also changed the actress who played Mildred Potter with Anne Pitoniak replacing Barbara Townsend. But the biggest change they made was to Klinger. At the end of the first season, Klinger assaulted a man who sold him and Soon-Lee a house because it was a bad deal. Instead of facing the consequences of his actions, he began to wear dresses again to prove that he was crazy to avoid jail. The bit was not funny. In my research for this post, I only found one article about the season two premiere of AfterMASH. In the Calgary Herald, Musselwhite stated that “craziness may salvage [the] show.” He was wrong.

Quietly Cancelled (Summer 1985)

The changes to AfterMASH couldn’t save the series. So it came as no surprise to many when the show was cancelled after an abbreviated second season. In a sad commentary on the popularity of the show, the cancellation occurred with little fanfare. In fact, the final produced episode of AfterMASH never aired and was preempted. I did find a column in May 31, 1985 issue of the Omaha World Herald that previewed the final episode of the series, but it was not to be. In an August 1985 issue of the Bennington Banner, Guy MacMillin’s column listed all the shows that were cancelled over the summer. There, at the top of the list is AfterMASH. That was it. The show was over despite the promise and high expectations that of two years before.

Why did AfterMASH fail so spectacularly? I think there are two major factors in the show’s downfall. M*A*S*H worked so well because it was made up of an ensemble cast living in a seemingly impossible position. Many of the early reviews of AfterMASH concluded that the series didn’t work well because it needed a war. The craziness of the war around the personnel of the 4077th generated storylines that captured people’s attention. The second reason the series failed is M*A*S*H. As Jerry Coffey stated in his review of the AfterMASH premiere, “M*A*S*H may be more hindrance than help to AfterMASH.” The expectations were high, and it would have been hard for any show to follow-up what M*A*S*H offered. M*A*S*H was allowed to grow over eleven seasons. It started off more funny and gradually became more serious. AfterMASH began with the more serious tone M*A*S*H earned over the course of its run. This is not fair to AfterMASH because I don’t necessarily think it is a bad show. It had some brilliant spots, but it was held back because M*A*S*H was still in the name and it tried to recreate the formula. Had the series been completely different from M*A*S*H, like Trapper John, M.D., it might have found a more receptive audience. It’s easy to judge in hindsight, but one thing is for certain, AfterMASH was set up for failure because it was never going to live up to the hype.

Newspaper Bibliography

• “After Tricks End, Will AfterMASH Survive?” The Akron Beacon Journal. September 25, 1983, 3.
• Associated Press. “AfterMASH Not a Prize.” The Park City Daily News. September 27, 1983, 4B.
• Associated Press. “Despite Good Writing, What AfterMASH Needs is a War.” Lancaster New Era. September 27, 1983, 20.
• Associated Press. “Klinger Stays AfterMASH.” The Paris News. September 30, 1983, 3.
• Associated Press. “Post-War Drabness of AfterMASH Disappointing to M*A*S*H Fans.” The Rapid City Journal. September 30, 1983, V6.
• Bianculli, David. “AfterMASH and Boone Moral and Pleasant Shows.” The Akron Beacon Journal. September 27, 1983, D8.
• Coffey, Jerry. “M*A*S*H may be More Hindrance than Help to AfterMASH.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 28, 1983, 7B.
• Curry, Jack. “Without Wit, AfterMASH is a Shell of its Former Self.” USA Today. September 27, 1983, 5D.
• DeBell, Jeff. “AfterMASH Shows Promise.” The Roanoke Times & World News. September 27, 1983, C1.
• Duffy, Mike. “AfterMASH Gives Veterans a Tepid Return.” Detroit Free Press. September 28, 1983, 8F.
• Earley, Sandra. “When Potter Comes Marching Home Again, Hurrah?” The Miami Herald. September 28, 1983, 5B.
• Hayden, Bill. “CBS Whets Audience’s Appetite for AfterMASH.” The News Journal. September 26, 1983, D2.
• Hayden, Bill. “CBS’ AfterMASH Aims to Fill Voice for M*A*S*H Viewers.” Springfield Daily News. September 26, 1983, 3B.
• Hill, Michael. “Highly Touted AfterMASH Looks too Much Like a ‘Warmedy.’” The Evening Sun. September 27, 1983, B6.
• Holston, Noel. “Writer’s Life Reads Like a TV Script.” The Orlando Sentinel. October 17, 1985, E1, E6.
• Hopkins, Tom. “Peace is No Picnic in Veterans’ Lives AfterMASH.” Dayton Daily News. September 26, 1983, 32.
• Jiche, Tom. “An Accurate Title would have been ‘MishM*A*S*H.’” The Miami News. September 28, 1983, 5B.
• Jordan, Gerald B. “AfterMASH Close in Spirit to the Original.” The Kansas City Star. September 27, 1983, 2B.
• Klein, David. “AfterMASH in for Long Hitch on TV.” The Cincinnati Post. September 27, 1983, 8C.
• Kleiner, Dick. “Rosalind Chao Part of Cast in AfterMASH.” The Baytown Sun. September 25, 1983, 5B.
• L.A. Times-Washington Post News Service. “AfterMASH Follows New Tone.” News and Record. September 29, 1983, B3.
• MacMillin, Guy. “Networks’ Nemesis: The Dread Bottom Third.” Bennington Banner. August 31, 1985, 6-7.
• Margulies, Lee. “AfterMASH Debuts Tonight, Aware that it has a Hard Act to Follow.” The Jersey Journal. September 26, 1983, 11.
• Margulies, Lee. “Life After M*A*S*H: Nervous, Sure They’re all Nervous.” The Saginaw News. September 25, 1983, C10.
• “Morgan Still Col. Potter.” The Herald-Sun. September 25, 1983, 32.
• Musselwhite, Bill. “AfterMASH: Craziness May Salvage Show.” Calgary Herald. September 30, 1984, F1.
• Musselwhite, Bill. “M*A*S*H Sequel Needs Laughs. Calgary Herald. September 28, 1983, D10.
• Newsday. “M*A*S*H Vets Come Home.” The Modesto Bee. September 26, 1983, F2-F3.
• Pitt, Roger. “AfterMASH Earns its Stripes.” The Post-Crescent. September 27, 1983, B6.
• Reddicliffe, Steven. “AfterMASH Carries on Tradition.” Kenosha News. September 27, 1983, 23.
• Reddicliffe, Steven. “Premiere of AfterMASH Bodes Well for Series.” The Oregonian. September 28, 1983, E8.
• Reddicliffe, Steven. “There is Life AfterMASH.” The Winona Daily News. September 28, 1983, 26.
• Rothenberg, Fred. “AfterMASH has its Heart in the Right Place – but that’s About All.” The Marshall News Messenger. September 27, 1983, 9A.
• Rothenberg, Fred. “AfterMASH No Prize for Fans of Original.” The Herald-Palladium. September 27, 1983, 17.
• Rothenberg, Fred. “AfterMASH Not Compelling.” Daily Hampshire Gazette. September 27, 1983, 19.
• Rothenberg, Fred. “Failed ‘United States’ Finds New Life on Cable System.” Messenger-Inquirer. September 12, 1985, 12C.
• Rothenberg, Fred. “Lackluster AfterMASH Could Stand a War.” The Jackson Sun. September 27, 1983, 8B.
• Scheuer, Steven H. “Mailbag.” Staten Island Advance. September 30, 1984, 8.
• Sherwood, Rick. “AfterMASH Goes on Double Duty.” Omaha World-Herald. May 31, 1985, 47.
• Sherwood, Rick. “AfterMASH Debuts with New Season.” The Manhattan Mercury. September 26, 1983, A5.
• Sherwood, Rick. “AfterMASH Highlights TV Season’s Premieres Tonight.” Birmingham Post-Herald. September 26, 1983, A10.
• Torkelson, Jean. “AfterMASH: This Civilian Sequel Follows the Troops Back Home – and Looks to be a Big Hit.” The Times Leader. September 28, 1983, 6D.