From the M*A*S*H Library 15: SwitHeart

What is it? Swit, Loretta and Mies Hora. SwitHeart: The Watercolour Art & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit. Stony Point, NY: Ultimate Symbol, 2017. (First Edition) Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Loretta Swit is an integral part of M*A*S*H, and she used the “star power” she gained from her acting career, along with her talent as an artist,Continue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 15: SwitHeart”

MishM*A*S*H 14: “Song from M*A*S*H”

I know what you are probably thinking…”Song from M*A*S*H“?! That isn’t its name! And you’re right, it’s not. But the name of the theme song from M*A*S*H is not known by many people because it was often sold as “Theme from M*A*S*H” or “Song from M*A*S*H” since the full name is “Suicide is Painless.” IContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 14: “Song from M*A*S*H””

Press Pass 15: M*A*S*H Wrap Quotes: David Ogden Stiers

Earlier this year, I posted a set of quotes from cast members and producers following the final day of filming M*A*S*H in January 1983. The packet of quotes I had posted was missing quotes from David Ogden Stiers. After the post went live, a comment was made that Stiers was indeed at the conference andContinue reading “Press Pass 15: M*A*S*H Wrap Quotes: David Ogden Stiers”

Script Spotlight 14: “The Yalu Brick Road”

Happy Thanksgiving! It is Thanksgiving day in the United States, and it seemed fitting to look at the script for the episode “The Yalu Brick Road” (08×10) since it takes place the day after Thanksgiving. This is the only episode of M*A*S*H to feature Thanksgiving, but it is a classic in that it has aContinue reading “Script Spotlight 14: “The Yalu Brick Road””

From the M*A*S*H Library 14: The Complete Book of M*A*S*H

What is it? Kalter, Suzy. The Complete Book of M*A*S*H. New York: Abradale Press, 1984. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? This was the earliest and most complete M*A*S*H book published and has been the source of most M*A*S*H material since the mid 1980s. Larry Gelbart’s involvement with it adds to its credibility. As a M*A*S*H fan, what part(s) should IContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 14: The Complete Book of M*A*S*H”

Press Pass 14: Announcing New Cast Members

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”

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”