M*A*S*H

[Gatorubet]

Keep in mind we had a military draft and the Viet Nam war was going on in 1970.

Ended in 1973. The lottery gave me Selective Service (draft) #27 in 1972, but they never called me as they had finished fighting about the shape of the table in Paris and were in peace talks.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ended in 1973. The lottery gave me Selective Service (draft) #27 in 1972, but they never called me as they had finished fighting about the shape of the table in Paris and were in peace talks.

I was in the first lottery held 1 Dec 1969. I got #266. I was a senior at Ohio State and gave up my student deferment to be in the 1970 draft. I believe that they only went up to #195 in 1970 (note: I knew the approximate number before I gave up my deferment ) and I never got called. Thank you President Nixon.

 

[Mike80]

Why do you say that Mike? Charles I can see, but at least there was some humor with BJ....the boy of Bee and Jay Honeycutt....

Alan Alda killed MASH. The introduction of BJ happened at the beginning of season 4. BJ had some good moments in season 4 and 5 (his first episode is great). Yet like I mentioned before, the two original creators were both gone by the end of season 5. After that it was Alan Alda's show, and the irreverent comedy took a back seat to Alda's views on war, women's rights (note, this is when Margaret stopped being an antagonist), civil rights, etc. To state something that has been said many times, that is when MASH stopped being funny and started being preachy.

True, but had the character been strong I don't think Alda would have gone off of the deep end quite as much.

But yes, essentially they both happened at the same time which is why I probably link them together.

 

[scott91575]

True, but had the character been strong I don't think Alda would have gone off of the deep end quite as much.

But yes, essentially they both happened at the same time which is why I probably link them together.

I suppose I could see that since so many people see the cast changes, and there was only 1 season with the original creators and new characters of BJ and Colonel Potter (season 4). Season 5 was only Gene Reynolds, and then he was gone (that season had a slightly different vibe). Then season 6 hit, and it was a totally different show. You can really see it in the 2nd episode of season 6 (the first one was used to get rid of Frank, which actually was funny). It's the one where Hawkeye got really drunk, and was so hung over the next day he had to leave an operation to throw up. Then Radar got all upset over his idol not being perfect. It wasn't funny, and the whole show was pretty much Alan Alda getting pissed about the lack of consequences from 5 seasons of heavy drinking for his character. I hate that episode, and one of the first really bad ones they did. Similar to the Armin Tamzarian episode with the Simpsons. The first time a truly great series got a major chink in the armor. Not just a miss, but a horrible episode that showed terrible writing and foreshadowed more to come.

BTW...I think more people equate Charles with the downfall of the show since that happened in season 6 (direct link to the change in creators). Yet I think many people blur it all together now since most see it in re runs which are not run in order. Having watched the entire series in order, I can really see the changes in the show.

 

[Muck]

Alan Alda killed MASH. The introduction of BJ happened at the beginning of season 4. BJ had some good moments in season 4 and 5 (his first episode is great). Yet like I mentioned before, the two original creators were both gone by the end of season 5. After that it was Alan Alda's show, and the irreverent comedy took a back seat to Alda's views on war, women's rights (note, this is when Margaret stopped being an antagonist), civil rights, etc. To state something that has been said many times, that is when MASH stopped being funny and started being preachy.

Agreed 100%.

 

[Gatorubet]

"I've trained myself not to laugh or smile. I watched a hundred hours of
the Three Stooges; every time I felt like smiling or laughing, I jabbed
myself in the stomach with a cattle prod."

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[kinch]

I forget where I saw this. But MASH didn't air with a laugh track in the UK, but did in the States, aside from operating room scenes.

When asked about the theme of the show, UK viewers thought it was a dramatic and sad/sober take on war, where characters had to add in some humor to survive. In the USA, it was seen as a comedy with dramatic elements thrown in.

All because of a laugh track.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[kujirakira]

MASH is the best. Henry and Col Potter