From the M*A*S*H Library 61: “TV Superstars ‘82” (Weekly Reader)
What is it? Lackmann, Ronald W. TV Superstars ‘82. Middletown, CT: Weekly Reader Books, 1982. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Scholastic didn’t hold a monopoly on children’s books in the 1970s and 1980s, and Weekly Reader was another popular publisher of children’s media. This 1982 book includes several of M*A*S*H’s…
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Press Pass 54: Gary Deeb Column (1975)
In most of the Press Pass posts I write, I feature press releases or photos from CBS or 20th Century Fox Television because they used that medium to communicate to the audience. There is another type of media that I have featured less frequently, and that is the syndicated columnist.…
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Script Spotlight 61: “The Nurses”
Last month, I kicked off the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H season five by spotlighting the script for “Lt. Radar O’Reilly” (05×04) and a press release outlining the cast and crew members for season five. The fifth season of M*A*S*H was important for several reasons. It was the first season of…
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MishM*A*S*H 60: Promotional Matchbooks
In the early 1980s, there were dozens of M*A*S*H licensed products available in the marketplace. I have previously written about several including action figures, Halloween costumes, games, and a train set. How were all of these items promoted? There were print ads, in-store displays, and the ever important word of…
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From the M*A*S*H Library 60: “TV’s Fabulous Faces” (1976)
What is it? Herz, Peggy. TV’s Fabulous Faces. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1976. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? This is a great collection of biographies of television stars from the M*A*S*H era. This volume of Peggy Herz’s Scholastic books featured Mike Farrell. As a M*A*S*H fan, what part(s) should…
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Press Pass 53: Season Five Cast & Crew Credits
This September marks the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H season five, and last week, I wrote about the season five script, “Lt. Radar O’Reilly” (05×04). I want to continue the season five spotlight this week by discussing a press release from CBS dated September 3, 1976 announcing the season five premiere.…
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Script Spotlight 60: “Lt. Radar O’Reilly”
As we roll into September and the beginning of fall, it is the time of the year that the new season of primetime television begins. This tradition goes back decades, and M*A*S*H often premiered new seasons in September. In September 2026, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H season five.…
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M*A*S*Hish 20: M-U-S-H Animation Cel & VHS
M*A*S*H spawned several well known shows including Trapper John, M.D. and AfterMASH, and there was also a failed pilot for a series starring Gary Burghoff as Radar called W*A*L*T*E*R. Trapper John, M.D. had seven successful seasons, and AfterMASH was cancelled after a season and a half. But there is a…
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MishM*A*S*H 59: M*A*S*H/20th Century Fox Styrofoam Cups
If you were to visit the set of M*A*S*H on Stage 9 in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you were likely to see several M*A*S*H branded items in addition to the famous tents and buildings of the 4077th compound. You might see crew members wearing M*A*S*H jackets, or you…
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From the M*A*S*H Library 59: “TV ’74” (Alan Alda)
What is it? Herz, Peggy. TV 74: The Stars – The Shows – The Action. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1973. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? This unique children’s book from 1973 profiled 16 different actors on newer shows. The book includes a chapter on Alan Alda, but there is…
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Press Pass 52: Burt Metcalfe Profile (1978)
In August 1978, the seventh season of M*A*S*H was about to debut on CBS. In addition to press releases from CBS and 20th Century Fox Television as a part of the lead up to the new season, it was not uncommon for cast members, producers, and directors of popular television…
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MishM*A*S*H 58: M*A*S*H Wrap Party Wine
On January 14, 1983, the entertainment world paused to celebrate the end of M*A*S*H. As the cast and crew filmed the penultimate episode of the series, “As Time Goes By” (11×15), hundreds of members of the press were on the set to capture the moment. Headlines around the world heralded…
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Script Spotlight 59: “Old Soldiers”
I was recently thinking about the cast of M*A*S*H and how, while they worked well together as an ensemble, there were episodes that highlighted the talents of each of them individually. Some great examples of this are David Ogden Stiers in “The Life You Save” (09×20), Loretta Swit in “The…
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From the M*A*S*H Library 58: “TV People” (1974)
What is it? Herz, Peggy. TV People. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1974. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? In the 1970s, Scholastic books that featured compilations of Peggy Herz’s interviews with popular celebrities and TV stars were popular sellers for the Scholastic Book Clubs. This volume features two interviews with…
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Press Pass 51: Cast Collage Photo (1976)
Most of the M*A*S*H press photos I have in the collection are posed cast photos, individual actor photos, or scenes from episodes. This press photo from 1976 is unique in that it features a collage of scenes from various episodes of M*A*S*H and highlights each of the main characters in…
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