Press Pass 31: M*A*S*H Finale Ratings Top Dallas

In a post last month about photos from a collection of “M*A*S*H Bash” photos from the night of the finale, I said that was the final post in a series celebrating the 41st anniversary of “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” on February 28. I was mistaken. This week’s post is the final post in that series!Continue reading “Press Pass 31: M*A*S*H Finale Ratings Top Dallas”

Press Pass 30: “M*A*S*H Bash” Press Photos and Video

Update (3/11/2024): Corrected the location of some of the press photos as they were all originally identified as being from the Houston, Texas area. The photos are from various locations, and I apologize for the error. This is the final post in the series celebrating the 41st anniversary of “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” on FebruaryContinue reading “Press Pass 30: “M*A*S*H Bash” Press Photos and Video”

Press Pass 29: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” Press Photo Collages

UPDATE: 2/12/2024: Thanks to Dan Harrison, I have added another reason why “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” was aired once again on CBS in September 1983. On February 28, 1983, an estimated 60% of American households gathered around their TV sets to watch the finale of M*A*S*H. It was a huge ratings success for CBS, andContinue reading “Press Pass 29: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” Press Photo Collages”

MishM*A*S*H 28: M*A*S*H Syndication Kit (1984)

When the M*A*S*H finale aired on CBS on February 28, 1983, that was not the end of the series. 20th Century Fox Television had successfully sold the series to CBS in 1972, but their new challenge was to sell M*A*S*H again, this time in syndication. Keeping the series on the air in reruns on localContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 28: M*A*S*H Syndication Kit (1984)”

Press Pass 28: “Alda tells why M*A*S*H was a Success”

February 28, 2024 will mark the 41st anniversary of the M*A*S*H finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” There was a lot of 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 ways that the finale was previewed and celebrated.Continue reading “Press Pass 28: “Alda tells why M*A*S*H was a Success””

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””

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”

Press Pass 25: Alda, Swit Win Emmys (1982)

M*A*S*H is a highly regarded series by its fans and in television history, but it was also a widely awarded series during its eleven year run. The series, its cast, and its production staff all won awards on many stages including at the Emmys, Golden Globes, Peoples’ Choice, and even the Peabody Awards. Following itsContinue reading “Press Pass 25: Alda, Swit Win Emmys (1982)”

Press Pass 24: Season 5 Preview Documents

Before the start of each season, 20th Century Fox Television sent a set of press release documents for M*A*S*H (see full press kits for season 10 and season 11). These press materials typically included information about the series, the premiere episode, and cast photos. For season five, I do not have a full set ofContinue reading “Press Pass 24: Season 5 Preview Documents”

Press Pass 23: Advance Program Information (Reruns)

UPDATE (8/14/2023): Thanks to Dan Harrison for adding an additional layer of context to this discussion. Broadcast year 1978-79 was the final year before M*A*S*H went into syndication, meaning that CBS was trying to cash in on M*A*S*H reruns as much as possible before they lost the exclusive rights to the series. There is aContinue reading “Press Pass 23: Advance Program Information (Reruns)”