The first season of M*A*S*H was hit or miss when it came to quality of storyline. The series creators were defining characters and finding their way, which was no easy task since the feature film had taken much of the source material from the novel. There are some bright spots from first season, however. “SometimesContinue reading “Script Spotlight 9: “Cowboy””
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M*A*S*H-ish 2: Korean War: The Untold Story
In April, the M*A*S*H Matters podcast (Episode 80) interviewed the filmmakers behind the 1988 documentary Korean War: The Untold Story. Producer Arnold Shapiro worked with writer and director Carol L. Fleisher to tell the story of the Korean War and its aftermath through the eyes of soldiers who were there. The documentary was hosted byContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 2: Korean War: The Untold Story”
MishM*A*S*H 8: Dr. Charles Drew
Last week, we looked at the script for “Dear Dad…Three” (02×09), and in that episode, Dr. Charles Drew is mentioned. In the episode, Hawkeye and Trapper point out the prejudice of a wounded soldier by talking about Dr. Drew’s contribution to the medical field and his death. However, since the episode aired in 1974, detailsContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 8: Dr. Charles Drew”
From the M*A*S*H Library 8: M*A*S*H: The Exclusive, Inside Story of TV’s Most Popular Show
What is it? Reiss, David S. M*A*S*H: The Exclusive, Inside Story of TV’s Most Popular Show. Indianapolis: The Bobb-Merill Company, Inc., 1980. Reiss, David S. M*A*S*H: The Exclusive, Inside Story of TV’s Most Popular Show. Indianapolis: The Bobb-Merill Company, Inc., 1983. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? This book, first released in 1980, was the first authorized bookContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 8: M*A*S*H: The Exclusive, Inside Story of TV’s Most Popular Show”
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”
MishM*A*S*H 7: Bradley Time Watches and Concept Drawings
M*A*S*H has spun off countless licensed products over the last fifty years, and it isn’t too often you get to see the finished products along with some of the documentation from the development process. This week, let’s take a look at two watches produced by Bradley Time Division (at the time part of Elgin). WeContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 7: Bradley Time Watches and Concept Drawings”
From the M*A*S*H Library 7: Life: M*A*S*H: TV’s Most Extraordinary Comedy
What is it? Kennedy, Kostya, ed. “M*A*S*H: TV’s Most Extraordinary Comedy.” Life, 2022. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? For the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H, Life has re-released it’s special edition magazine dedicated to the book, film, and series. As is the norm with Life magazine, it is packed with lots of great photographs. As a M*A*S*HContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 7: Life: M*A*S*H: TV’s Most Extraordinary Comedy”
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”
Script Spotlight 7: “Ceasefire”
It’s no secret that the first season of M*A*S*H was not a success in terms of ratings. The series just didn’t seem to catch on during its initial run. That was largely due to a poor time slot on CBS, but something changed during reruns. The series was noticed, and for season two, M*A*S*H wasContinue reading “Script Spotlight 7: “Ceasefire””
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 