It is very rare for a television to survive a major cast change, but M*A*S*H underwent two major cast changes during its 11 year run (three if you count the departure of Gary Burghoff’s Radar). Between seasons three and four, 20th Century Fox Television announced the replacement for the departed Col. Henry Blake as HarryContinue reading “Press Pass 14: Announcing New Cast Members”
Author Archives: Eric White
Script Spotlight 13: “Trick or Treatment”
Since today is Halloween, there was only one choice for this week’s Script Spotlight post: “Trick or Treatment” (11×02). This episode is from season 11, and is the only episode of M*A*S*H was a Halloween theme. We see several characters dressed up including Hawkeye as Superman, BJ as a clown, and Col. Potter as aContinue reading “Script Spotlight 13: “Trick or Treatment””
From the M*A*S*H Library 13: TV Guide: Fifty Years of Television
What is it? Lasswell, Mark. TV Guide: Fifty Years of Television. New York: Crown Publishers, 2002. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? In the first 50 years of television history, M*A*S*H came right in the middle and lasted for 11 years. The series spanned part of two decades and survived societal changes to go out on top.Continue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 13: TV Guide: Fifty Years of Television”
MishM*A*S*H 13: M*A*S*H Signpost Returning to the Smithsonian
After M*A*S*H ended in 1983, the Smithsonian Institute requested several items from the series for its permanent collection. The National Museum of American History then produced a highly successful exhibit, “M*A*S*H: Binding Up the Wounds,” which ran from July 30, 1983 through February 3, 1985 (I have written posts on the exhibit souvenir program andContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 13: M*A*S*H Signpost Returning to the Smithsonian”
M*A*S*H-ish 4: MASH (1970) Pressbook
When the movie MASH debuted in January 1970, it was an unlikely hit in the midst of the Vietnam War. Add that MASH was a comedy, and it seemed even more crass than a film about war at the time. While the movie was about the Korean War, the anti-war commentary was just as applicableContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 4: MASH (1970) Pressbook”
Press Pass 13: “Ninth-Season Premiere Episode [Letters]”
Released October 28, 1980, this press release announced the season nine premiere episode, “Letters.” However, if you look at the DVDs and any M*A*S*H episode guide that is in broadcast order, you quickly notice that is wrong! According to the release, on November 17, 1980, M*A*S*H would premiere on CBS with that episode. However, “Letters”Continue reading “Press Pass 13: “Ninth-Season Premiere Episode [Letters]””
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.Continue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 12: TV Guide Magazine Puzzler”
Press Pass 12: “The Move that was ‘Almost Permanent'”
The first episode of season five is called “Bug Out,” and in it, the 4077th has to pack everything up and move down the road. We see how much work and effort went in to moving a MASH unit, but what I am sure many fans don’t know is that M*A*S*H almost had to bugContinue reading “Press Pass 12: “The Move that was ‘Almost Permanent’””
Script Spotlight 12: “Pilot Episode”
This Saturday, September 17, marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of M*A*S*H on CBS. There are several events and marathons planned this week to mark the occasion, but I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the pilot episode by looking the script for the M*A*S*H “Pilot Episode” (01×01). The pilot is an iconicContinue reading “Script Spotlight 12: “Pilot Episode””
MishM*A*S*H 12: M*A*S*H on VHS, DVD, Digital, etc.
Over the decades, M*A*S*H has been available to own at home in various mediums. In the 1980s and 1990s, episodes of the series were released in collections, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that 20th Century Fox Television began releasing the complete series by season. I was one of the M*A*S*H fans in 2001-2006Continue reading “MishM*A*S*H 12: M*A*S*H on VHS, DVD, Digital, etc.”
The M*A*S*H Historian 