From the M*A*S*H Library 27: The Autobiography of Jackie Cooper

What is it? Cooper, Jackie with Dick Kleiner. Please Don’t Shoot my Dog: The Autobiography of Jackie Cooper. New York: Berkley Book, 1981. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Jackie Cooper directed 13 episodes of M*A*S*H in seasons one and two, and he won an Emmy Award for his direction of the episode “Carry On, Hawkeye” (02×11). Some ofContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 27: The Autobiography of Jackie Cooper”

Press Pass 27: “M*A*S*H Bash to Benefit MDA”

February 28, 2024 will mark the 41st anniversary of the M*A*S*H finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” There was a lot of excitement and 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 different ways that theContinue reading “Press Pass 27: “M*A*S*H Bash to Benefit MDA””

Script Spotlight 27: “Dear Sis”

It is hard to believe we are already in the final month of 2023, which means that the holiday season is upon us. I looked back at my December posts for the past two years, and I realized that I had already covered one Christmas Episode (“Death Takes a Holiday (09×05)), and one Boxing DayContinue reading “Script Spotlight 27: “Dear Sis””

MishM*A*S*H 26: Alan Alda’s Dog Tags and Boots Auction (July 2023)

In July 2023, Heritage Auctions sold Alan Alda’s boots and dog tags from M*A*S*H as a fundraiser for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The auction was held in Dallas, Texas, and the dog tag and boots sold for an incredible $125,000 (including buyers premium). Alda was interviewed before the auction and said thatContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 26: Alan Alda’s Dog Tags and Boots Auction (July 2023)”

From the M*A*S*H Library 26: M*A*S*H: When Television Changed Forever (Documentary)

What is it? Osborne, Brad. M*A*S*H: When Television Changed Forever. AMS Pictures, 2022. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? This is the latest M*A*S*H documentary, and the most recent one made since the 30th anniversary cast reunion in 2002. It features all new interviews with members of the cast and production staff, and it includes additional context thatContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 26: M*A*S*H: When Television Changed Forever (Documentary)”

Press Pass 26: Season 9 Premiere

By the premiere of season nine, M*A*S*H had moved to Monday nights on CBS. It was a tentpole series for the network, and the start of a new season was a major event. In a press release, CBS announced the season nine premiere episode would air on Monday, November 17, 1980. The episode, “The BestContinue reading “Press Pass 26: Season 9 Premiere”

Script Spotlight 26: “Hot Lips and Empty Arms”

With November 4 being Loretta Swit’s birthday, I wanted to find an episode that featured her acting talents as well as her comedic timing. In my mind, there was only choice, “Hot Lips and Empty Arms” (02×14). Of course, the first question was whether I had the script or not. Early scripts are harder toContinue reading “Script Spotlight 26: “Hot Lips and Empty Arms””

The M*A*S*H Historian 2nd Anniversary

It is hard to believe that I started The M*A*S*H Historian two years ago today (and it is even harder to believe I didn’t acknowledge the first anniversary last year)! In 2021, I wanted to engage with the M*A*S*H community in a new way. Up to that point, I had been enjoying the M*A*S*H MattersContinue reading “The M*A*S*H Historian 2nd Anniversary”

From the M*A*S*H Library 25: “Just Farr Fun”

What is it? Farr, Jamie with Robert Blair Kaiser. Just Farr Fun. Clearwater, FL: Eubanks/Donizetti, Inc., 1994. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Jamie Farr was one of the principal cast members of the series. He famously came to set for one episode in season one, and stayed for eleven years. Farr’s memoir outlines how he got to M*A*S*HContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 25: “Just Farr Fun””

MishM*A*S*H 25: Donruss Bubble Gum/Trading Cards

In 1982, the year in which M*A*S*H began its final season, the trading card company Donruss released a series of M*A*S*H trading cards. These cards were packaged with gum, and you could try to collect all 66 of the cards. On the front the card was a cast member photo, cast photo, or a screenshotContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 25: Donruss Bubble Gum/Trading Cards”