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”
Tag Archives: release
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)”
Press Pass 22: “Mike Farrell: ‘Happy Actor'”
Season four was a pivotal year for M*A*S*H. At the end of season three, many fans were upset about the decision to kill off Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Then, over the summer, it was announced that M*A*S*H would also have to replace Trapper since Wayne Rogers had decided to leave the show. Introducing one characterContinue reading “Press Pass 22: “Mike Farrell: ‘Happy Actor’””
Press Pass 21: “M*A*S*H Notes” [Updated]
UPDATED (6/13/2023): Thanks to Dan Harrison, I am able to answer some of the questions I posed in my original concluding paragraph. See the additional paragraph for more information on how “Dial Turner” really was! When 20th Century Fox Television distributed press releases, they were mostly anonymously written by someone (or a team) within PR.Continue reading “Press Pass 21: “M*A*S*H Notes” [Updated]”
Press Pass 20: “Burt Metcalfe Promotes Quartet to M*A*S*H Creative Positions”
In the summer of 1981, M*A*S*H was headed into its tenth season, and executive producer Burt Metcalfe had been at the helm of the show since Larry Gelbart left the series after the fourth season. Metcalfe had creative control, and this week’s press release announces some decisions he made in the show’s creative staff. ThisContinue reading “Press Pass 20: “Burt Metcalfe Promotes Quartet to M*A*S*H Creative Positions””
Press Pass 19: “M*A*S*H won’t Last Forever and Jamie Farr’s Preparing”
In October 1980, M*A*S*H had begun its ninth season and was humming along in the ratings. In the television world, however, there are not many shows that run beyond nine seasons. That reality was not missed by many of the M*A*S*H cast members, and in this 20th Century Fox Television Feature Story press release, weContinue reading “Press Pass 19: “M*A*S*H won’t Last Forever and Jamie Farr’s Preparing””
Press Pass 16: 1976 Emmy Award Nominations
Entering a new year, television show runners begin to turn their attention to award season, specifically the Emmy Awards. This was no different when M*A*S*H was on the air in the 1970s and early 1980s. In fact, the awards were even more important then because there were only three major networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC)Continue reading “Press Pass 16: 1976 Emmy Award Nominations”
Press Pass 15: M*A*S*H Wrap Quotes: David Ogden Stiers
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”
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]””
The M*A*S*H Historian 