What is it? Diffrient, David Scott. TV Milestones Series: M*A*S*H. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Now that M*A*S*H, as a complete series, is 40+ years old, there are researchers and historians placing the series into the history of television the greater historical context of their time. In under 150 pages, David ScottContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 40: TV Milestones Series: M*A*S*H”
Tag Archives: robert
MishM*A*S*H 31: “The Swamp” Blueprints
When I first started buying M*A*S*H DVDs in the early 2000s, I was in high school and that was how I connected with the series. I had watched it on TV for years, but the DVDs were a way to physically own the show and watch it when I wanted. The thought of owning somethingContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 31: “The Swamp” Blueprints”
From the M*A*S*H Library 31: “Laughing Matters”
What is it? Gelbart, Larry. Laughing Matters: On Writing M*A*S*H, Tootsie, Oh, God!, and a few Other Things. New York: Random House, 1998. Why should M*A*S*H fans care? Larry Gelbart is the comedic and writing genius behind M*A*S*H. He is widely credited with the success of the series and with its longevity. Even though he left the seriesContinue reading “From the M*A*S*H Library 31: “Laughing Matters””
M*A*S*H-ish 9: MASH Film 30th Anniversary Reunion (2000)
January 25 marks the anniversary of the release of M*A*S*H (1970) in theaters across the United States. When the movie was released, it was not expected to perform well, and its low budget was evidence of that. However, events of the late 1960s and early 1970s, specifically the Vietnam War, led to the dark satireContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 9: MASH Film 30th Anniversary Reunion (2000)”
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)”
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””
M*A*S*H-ish 6: MASH (1970) Scripts
When Richard Hooker published his novel, MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, in 1968, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to produce a film. At the height of the Vietnam War, anti-war sentiment was high and a movie based on wise-cracking surgeons during the Korean War was a risky bet. When the film wasContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 6: MASH (1970) Scripts”
MishM*A*S*H 19: Banning M*A*S*H
When the series M*A*S*H debuted in 1972 on CBS, it was the third act in M*A*S*H reaching American audiences following the successful Robert Allan film and the Richard Hooker novel. However, M*A*S*H wasn’t only released in the United States, and it wasn’t an instant classic. In its first season M*A*S*H did poorly in the ratings,Continue reading “MishM*A*S*H 19: Banning M*A*S*H”
MishM*A*S*H 14: “Song from M*A*S*H”
I know what you are probably thinking…”Song from M*A*S*H“?! That isn’t its name! And you’re right, it’s not. But the name of the theme song from M*A*S*H is not known by many people because it was often sold as “Theme from M*A*S*H” or “Song from M*A*S*H” since the full name is “Suicide is Painless.” IContinue reading “MishM*A*S*H 14: “Song from M*A*S*H””
M*A*S*H-ish 4: MASH (1970) Pressbook
When the movie MASH debuted in January 1970, it was an unlikely hit in the midst of the Vietnam War. Add that MASH was a comedy, and it seemed even more crass than a film about war at the time. While the movie was about the Korean War, the anti-war commentary was just as applicableContinue reading “M*A*S*H-ish 4: MASH (1970) Pressbook”
The M*A*S*H Historian 