Portal:M*A*S*H
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This portal has been created to organise and provide a general entry point for all things M*A*S*H. This portal is currently undergoing a re-do, and we would greatly appreciate any help from experienced or inexperienced Wikipedian M*A*S*H lovers in adding to and expanding this portal. Thanks, and happy M*A*S*H watching, Sarsaparilla39 (unofficial maintainer)
Inspired by the film of the same name, M*A*S*H (mobile army surgical hospital) was an American television series about a team of medical professionals and support staff stationed at MASH 4077th in Korea during the Korean War. The series originally aired on CBS from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983, but can still be seen in syndication. The series spanned 251 episodes and lasted longer than the war which served as its setting.
Much like the movie, it combined elements of comedy with a darker antiwar message. Many of the stories in the early seasons were based on real-life tales told by hundreds of real-life M*A*S*H surgeons, interviewed by the production team.
Originally intended as an ensemble show, M*A*S*H became increasingly centered around Alan Alda's character, Hawkeye Pierce. Alda wrote and directed some of the most emotional and award-winning episodes. The show's tone changed over the years. Initially, it placed most of its emphasis on the "zany" elements, but later focused on more serious topics and character development; however, both the serious and the comedic sides were present throughout.
"Abyssinia, Henry" was the 72nd episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and the final episode of the series' third season. First aired on March 18, 1975, and written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, the highly rated episode was most notable for its shocking and unexpected ending. The plot of the episode centers on the military discharge and subsequent departure of the 4077th MASH's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson).
The highly controversial ending to the episode, which has since been referenced and parodied many times, prompted an estimated 1,000-plus letters to series producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart, and drew ire from both CBS and 20th Century Fox.
After the production of this episode, both Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, who played the character of Trapper John McIntyre, left the series to pursue other interests; while Stevenson's departure was announced prior to and written into "Abyssinia, Henry", Rogers unexpectedly left the series during the break between Seasons Three and Four, and so his character's departure takes place off-screen in the following episode, "Welcome to Korea". These combined departures and their subsequent replacements also signaled the beginning of a major shift in focus of the M*A*S*H series as a whole.
- The character of Spearchucker Jones disappeared after the first five episodes when the writers found out that there weren't any African American surgeons serving at MASHes in the Korean War.
- After the news of Colonel Blake's death shocked the world, the very next night on "The Carol Burnett Show", the opening shot was of "Henry Blake" in a smoking raft, waving his arms, hollering, "I'm OK!" I'm OK!"
- In the episode "The Moon Is Not Blue" the movie "State Fair" is mentioned and a short excerpt shown. Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter) was in State Fair.
- Almost 125 million people watched the final episode, the largest audience ever for a television program.
- Hawkeye Pierce: "I will not carry a gun, Frank. When I got thrown into this war I had a clear understanding with the Pentagon: no guns. I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even 'hari-kari' if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!"
- Henry Blake: "Frank, whatever it is, just write it down and put it on my desk where I can't find it."
- Radar: "They aren't gonna like this."
Frank Burns: "I didn't come here to be liked."
Radar: "You certainly came to the right place." - Frank Burns: "Individuality is fine, so long as everybody's doing it together."
Miscellaneous
- Finish up the quotes for season 11 on Wikiquote.
Articles that need to be written:
- Lynnette Mettey - Nurse Baker (television)
- Soon-Tek Oh - various guest appearances (television)
- Jean Powell - Nurse Baker (television)
- Sherry Steffens - Nurse Abel/Able (television)
- Herb Voland - General Clayton (television)
Articles that need to be expanded:
- Charles Hallahan - Colin Turnbull (television)
- David Arkin - SSgt. Vollmer/PA Announcer (movie)
- Joshua Bryant - Private/Sergeant Jack Scully (television)
- Larry Linville - Frank Burns (television)
- Jo Ann Pflug - Lt. Maria "Dish" Schneider (movie)
- Wayne Rogers - Trapper John McIntyre (television)
- Tom Skerritt - Capt. Augustus Bedford "Duke" Forrest (movie)
- Loretta Swit - Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (television)
Pictures that need to be added:
- And information for all of the show's episodes.
Revert Vandalism on this portal and on articles to do with M*A*S*H.
Complete Series and Season 11 Region 1 DVD Release Date and Preorders
You can now preorder M*A*S*H: Martinis & Medicine Collection (the complete series) and Season 11 on DVD for Region 1 from Amazon.com. According to Amazon.com, the release date for the Region 1 DVD sets is November 7. Region 1 is the format used by the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories. The "Martinis & Medicine Collection" is the complete series mentioned here before which includes all 11 seasons, the original movie, and 2 DVDs of extras.
Rogers Joins the Board of Directors of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
Philadelphia Business Journal and Sys-Con Media reported that the Board of Directors of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. elected Wayne Rogers to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. Rogers is the President of investment management firm Wayne M. Rogers & Co., a renowned investor and a regular expert commentator on Fox News Channel's business program Cashin' In. Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components.
Stiers Filming Together Again for the First Time
Deseretnews.com has an article on the work involved with shooting a movie such as Together Again for the First Time, which stars David Ogden Stiers and Julia Duffy. The dramady is about a large family that gathers for Christmas — the first time all the kids have been together since they've grown and left the nest. The article includes a photo and some quotes from Stiers.
M*A*S*H - Actors - Characters - Episodes
