Roll Out

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Roll Out was a failed sitcom that aired Friday evenings on CBS during the 1973-1974 television season. It was the network's effort to cash in on the success of M*A*S*H by putting out another Army comedy. Instead of Army medics, Roll Out highlighted the pratfalls of Army supply drivers. The series was set during World War II and was based, in part, upon a 1952 movie called Red Ball Express. Among the few recognizable stars in Roll Out were Ed Begley, Jr. as Lt. Robert W. Chapman, Garrett Morris, as "Wheels" and Darrow Igus (later of ABC's late-nite comedy show Fridays) as "Jersey." The series attempted to use the World War II setting as a commentary on race relations, just as M*A*S*H's Korean War setting was also a commentary on the Vietnam War. The show had to compete against ABC's The Odd Couple in the same Friday night time slot and never really had a chance. Roll Out was cancelled after one season.