Tomorrow marks the 41st anniversary of the original broadcast of “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” the two-and-a-half hour M*A*S*H finale. To celebrate the anniversary in the past, I have posted the episode’s script, production documents, the press release from Fox announcing the final episode, and a collection of finale press photos. All of those materials wereContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 29: M*A*S*H Finale Magazines and TV Guides”
Author Archives: Eric White
From the M*A*S*H Library 29: “Mixed Blessings”
What is it? Christopher, William and Barbara. Mixed Blessings. New York: Avon Books, 1989. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? While the Christophers’ book is not about M*A*S*H, it is a very interesting behind the scenes look at the life they led off screen. Raising an autistic son in the 1970s was not easy, and they tell their storyContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 29: “Mixed Blessings””
Press Pass 29: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” Press Photo Collages
UPDATE: 2/12/2024: Thanks to Dan Harrison, I have added another reason why “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” was aired once again on CBS in September 1983. On February 28, 1983, an estimated 60% of American households gathered around their TV sets to watch the finale of M*A*S*H. It was a huge ratings success for CBS, andContinue reading “Press Pass 29: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” Press Photo Collages”
Script Spotlight 29: “Taking the Fifth”
I struggled to find an episode with a “love” theme for February and Valentine’s Day. It may be cliche, but I wrote about a love story episode last year with “In Love and War” (06×07), and I already wrote about “Henry in Love” (02×16). So I thought about an episode with a theme that isContinue reading “Script Spotlight 29: “Taking the Fifth””
MishM*A*S*H 28: M*A*S*H Syndication Kit (1984)
When the M*A*S*H finale aired on CBS on February 28, 1983, that was not the end of the series. 20th Century Fox Television had successfully sold the series to CBS in 1972, but their new challenge was to sell M*A*S*H again, this time in syndication. Keeping the series on the air in reruns on localContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 28: M*A*S*H Syndication Kit (1984)”
M*A*S*H-ish 9: MASH Film 30th Anniversary Reunion (2000)
January 25 marks the anniversary of the release of M*A*S*H (1970) in theaters across the United States. When the movie was released, it was not expected to perform well, and its low budget was evidence of that. However, events of the late 1960s and early 1970s, specifically the Vietnam War, led to the dark satireContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 9: MASH Film 30th Anniversary Reunion (2000)”
From the M*A*S*H Library 28: “Gary Burghoff: To M*A*S*H and Back”
What is it? Burghoff, Gary. Gary Burghoff: To M*A*S*H and Back: My Life in Poems and Songs (That Nobody ever Wanted to Publish). Albany, GA: BearManor Media, 2009. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Gary Burghoff is perhaps best known as playing Walter “Radar” O’Reilly on M*A*S*H, and he originated the role in Robert Altman’s 1970 MASH film. However,Continue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 28: “Gary Burghoff: To M*A*S*H and Back””
Press Pass 28: “Alda tells why M*A*S*H was a Success”
February 28, 2024 will mark the 41st anniversary of the M*A*S*H finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” There was a lot of anticipation for the two and a half hour finale, and over the next several months, I am going to use the Press Pass posts to highlight a few ways that the finale was previewed and celebrated.Continue reading “Press Pass 28: “Alda tells why M*A*S*H was a Success””
Script Spotlight 28: “War of Nerves”
Since the holiday season has wrapped up, I know that the holidays can be stressful for many people, myself included. That led me to think about episodes of M*A*S*H in which we saw the characters exhibiting signs of stress and overwork, and the first episode that came to mind was “War of Nerves” (06×04). InContinue reading “Script Spotlight 28: “War of Nerves””
MishM*A*S*H 27: “M*A*S*H Greatest Hits” (1978 Cast Gift Record)
UPDATE (12/27/2023): Thanks to a reader, the episodes for two clips that I was unable to quickly identify have been found! The attached PDF file has been updated. In the spirit of the holiday season, I wanted to review one of the cast and crew gifts that became an annual tradition on M*A*S*H. In June,Continue reading “MishM*A*S*H 27: “M*A*S*H Greatest Hits” (1978 Cast Gift Record)”
The M*A*S*H Historian 