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M*A*S*H: Happy 50th Anniversary
Looking Back at a Television Classic
The classic TV series M*A*S*H, which gave the world Alan Alda and a band of brilliant actors (and which was based on the 1970 Korean War medical-military feature film dramedy of the same name), originally aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983.
But it was never really the same after its second season. In other words, it wasn’t funny anymore; and in some sectors, it wasn’t considered even likable. It was a good show beyond its sophomore year, but it wasn’t the same show. It was like some kind of bizarro version of its original self (which see Superman mythology); kind of like the less-than-worthy spin-off series (AfterM*A*S*H) it spawned after it ended.
So, what happened? Why did the series change? When did the show change? What were the changes?
Firstly, the cast switched from the second to the third semester. Alda, as Captain/Dr. Hawkey Pierce remained throughout the program’s entire 11-year run, but the extremely likable McLean Stevenson (Col. Henry Blake) and the so-so Wayne Rogers (Trapper John) left. In their stead, Mike Ferrell and Harry Morgan arrived — as all-new characters: BJ Hunnicutt and Col. Potter (respectively).
After that, Gary Burgoff as Radar (the only carry-over actor/character from the original big-screen movie) exited, as did Larry…
