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”
Category Archives: Press Pass
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”
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]””
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’””
Press Pass 11: “Will Real Jamie Farr Please Stand Up?”
In the 1970s, fans of television relied on local news publications, national publications such as TV Guide, and talk shows to learn about their favorite actors. Networks and production studios would release information about upcoming seasons of a series and the next week’s episode. Occasionally they would release what are sometimes called “feel good” piecesContinue reading “Press Pass 11: “Will Real Jamie Farr Please Stand Up?””
Press Pass 10: Season 1 Promo Images
This is a bonus post this week to make up for the July 4th holiday. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the M*A*S*H pilot episode, I started looking through my collection of press releases and press photos to see if I had anything from season one. Materials from the first season are very hardContinue reading “Press Pass 10: Season 1 Promo Images”
Press Pass 9: “M*A*S*H Cast to Muster Annually for Reunion”
After M*A*S*H ended, fans couldn’t get enough of the show. There was the hugely successful Binding Up the Wounds Smithsonian Exhibit, several books released, and even a LaserDisc of the series finale sold. Meanwhile, the actors, some of whom had worked together for eleven years, vowed to keep the cast together. Following the finale, aContinue reading “Press Pass 9: “M*A*S*H Cast to Muster Annually for Reunion””
Press Pass 8: A S*M*A*S*H Hit Book
In 1980, author David S. Reiss released the book M*A*S*H: The Exclusive, Inside Story of T.V.’s Most Popular Show. It appears to have been successful (I have two copies of the 1980 edition, a first edition and a fourth printing), but in early 1983, it was incomplete. When M*A*S*H ended, the original book was severalContinue reading “Press Pass 8: A S*M*A*S*H Hit Book”
Press Pass 7: Mike Farrell on Appearing in Advertisements
UPDATE (April 11, 2022): The original version of the article indicated that Alan Alda and David Ogden Stiers didn’t participate in the IBM campaign, when in fact they later did. In the late 1980s, the M*A*S*H cast reunited in an unlikely place. They didn’t appear on a talk show or even on a reunion special.Continue reading “Press Pass 7: Mike Farrell on Appearing in Advertisements”
Press Pass 6: Last-Minute Meeting Put M*A*S*H on Road to Success
Ask most fans what they love about M*A*S*H, and a fair number will say the balance of comedy and drama. The series successfully incorporated a proper amount of humanity and the horrors of war. There have been many stories over the years about how series creator Larry Gelbart ensured that M*A*S*H didn’t forget that warContinue reading “Press Pass 6: Last-Minute Meeting Put M*A*S*H on Road to Success”
The M*A*S*H Historian 