Talk:M*A*S*H (TV series)

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Contents

[edit] The One Where Henry Left

Guys, I don't think that episode is written by Alan Alda, as it says in this article. At least, it is not credited to him on the DVD. Anyone know any better?

Well, the article only says Alda wrote the bit at the end. It does not say he wrote th erest o fthe article.--Purpleslog 03:36, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

You know only radar knew that he was gonna die (dispite what the article said) and to make sure their reaction was geniun to make sure the lights were right they used extras, and again, while they did film it twice its actually the 1st shot they used and dubbed it! the actors knew they were gonna get news but they didnt know what

Yeh, as far as I have researched, Alda (like everyone else) knew nothing of the death, as far as they were concerned they were just shooting another scene, possibly saying that Henry had got home ok. Arthur7 (talk) 10:30, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Caption

The "goodbye" caption says "infamous" when it should read "famous". This is elementary word usage, I am going to correct this part. --Derinrob99 18:54, 11 Nov 2004 (UTC)


Could someone change this (Ive never edited an article and dont want to mess it up). According to both Mash4077.co.uk and IMDB they both say the episode was written by Everett Greenbaum & James Fritzell. The official site doesn't list the episodes in that much detail.

[edit] Laugh Track

Question - did they always have "canned" laughter from the first episode. (Aside from the surgery scenes of course!!) Answers to dunlop.sam@mtvne.com

  • It's on the DVDs (so is the version without it). Because MASH was filmed like a movie they couldn't use a live audience, so the network insisted on a canned laugh track.
  • It was always shown on BBC television without the laughter track; I think it works much better without it and was very pleased to find it could be switched off on the DVDs. jamesgibbon 00:25, 26 Jun 2005 (UTC)

On the DVDs we have, the canned laughter is automatically there for the first five seasons (but able to be turned off) and non exsistant after that. My parents say thats the way they remember it on TV too.--The Wizard of Magicland 13:18, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image

I moved the Season 1 image over to the right, and placed it in a thumbnail. I did that because I thinks it looks better that way.

Also, I don't really remember Maj. Houlihan's "Hot Lips" nickname really getting that much use during the show, certainly not to the extent that it was used in the movie. Even in the first seasons it didn't really seem to me that it got that much use, and once Holihan's character evolved in the later seasons you almost never heard that. From what I remember, most times the doctors would call her Margaret.

JesseG 04:32, 9 Jun 2004 (UTC)


It was still there up until the end really, it's just that it was said less and said more affectionatley, as a nice nick name. --Arthur7 (talk) 10:31, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hot Lips

Margaret is called "Hotlips" a couple of times in the early seasons (72 - 74), I remember her angrily stamping her foot in the mess tent.

Wasn't Houlihan another gaffe? As I heard the movie, as she gets off the 47, Henry introduces her as Major Margeret O'Houlihan. Confirm? Trekphiler 03:33, 9 December 2005 (UTC)
He does, but since it is Henry Blake it is an error made by the character. Throughout, she is called Houlihan, as well as in the credits.Shsilver 14:03, 9 December 2005 (UTC)
One should probably also bear in mind that the Television Series and the Movie are considered two drastically different continuities.Merle Whitefire 15:32, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "most watched episode"

The link in Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen which states that it is still the most watched episode of all time pointed to a non-existent page at Reuters. I have replaced it with an article at the Washington Post which mentions it in passing. I'd welcome a slightly more on-topic link. MrItty 16:02, 16 Nov 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Format

Should Corporal Walter (Radar) O'Reilly become Corporal Walter O'Reilly or Walter O'Reilly? Should Hawkeye Pierce become Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce, Captain Benjamin F. Pierce, Captain Benjamin Pierce, Benjamin Franklin Pierce, Benjamin F. Pierce, or Benjamin Pierce? Should Trapper John McIntyre be Captain John Xavier McIntyre, Captain John X. McIntyre, Captain John McIntyre, John Xavier McIntyre, John X. McIntyre, or John McIntyre? Should Major Frank Burns be Major Frank M. Burns, Major Frank Marion Burns, Frank M. Burns, Frank Marion Burns, or Frank Burns? - 68.72.119.26 06:39, 1 Feb 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Choice 1

Include the full name of the character.

  • Choice 1.1: Include the middle name.
    • Choice 1.1.1: Spell out the middle name.
    • Choice 1.1.2: Use the initial.
  • Choice 1.2: Include only the first and the last names.

[edit] Choice 2

Include the title/rank of character.

  • Choice 2.1: Include titles, such as Captain, Major, and Colonel
    • Choice 2.1.1: Spell out the ranks
    • Choice 2.1.2: Use the abbreviations, such as Lt. Col.
  • Choice 2.2: Include other parts of the name, such as III, Jr., or Dr.

[edit] Choice 3

Include their nicknames which they are more commonly known by.

  • Choice 3.1: Include it without any marks/signs around it.
  • Choice 3.2: Include it with parenthesis around it.
  • Choice 3.3: Include it with quotation marks around it.

I think that we should leave it as it is because some people might not know that Walter O'Reilly is Radar without that in the middle and same for Hawkeye. Whether or not you say what B.J. stands for isn't as important. I would say use choice 3.3 if I had to choose. ~Isabel123~

Maybe add redirection pages for all of them? MichaelBillington 07:09, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Question

In the pilot episode it reads "Korea, 1950--a hundred years ago" at the bottom of the screen. What's that supposed to mean? The series certainly doesn't take place a hundred years ago.

  • It's a joke. It's also a reference to the fact that the film -- on which this was all based -- was meant to be about Vietnam, by way of analogy. Being tongue-in-cheek about when the Korean war actually happened helps this suspension of disbelief. Or at least, I suspect that that was the thinking. It got far, far too tied into the Korean people, their customs, morals, and society, and became its own animal. User:neilfein 22:35, 1 oct 2005 (EST)

its to show that whoile its set in the korea war it could be any war - and definatly links into the bietnam war ... like the song UNIVERSAL SOLDIER it shows that we know the characters as hawkeye, trapper, BJ, Henry, Radar, etc. and they are fictional but they could be any of millions or billions of soldiers sent to war because 1950 isnt 100 years ago, and it was 197- when it was made ... its symbolloc

[edit] Not a continuity error

Harry Morgan appeared on MASH in the episode The General Flipped At Dawn, a guest appearance as Major-General Beford Hamilton Steele (first episode of season 1974-75). Later, Morgan became a regular cast member (beginnig in season 1975-76), as Colonel Sherman T.Potter. As these are two different characters, there's no continuity error. Does anyone agree? GoodDay 00:28, 19 November 2005 (UTC)

I still consider it a continuity error, or an error of some sort. If you want to move it to trivia, that's fine with me, though. Pfalstad 02:50, 19 November 2005 (UTC)
  • I don't see it as a continuity error. Look at it this way: There's two guys in the US Army in Korea who happen to look alike. They have different names, different ranks and different jobs. In the continuity, they look alike, but that's it. It's entirely possible. Hell, maybe they're identical twins, separated at birth. A continuity error would be casting different people in the same role. I dunno if you can really call it an error at all. A quirk, an oddity maybe. -Le Scoopertemp [tk] 19:23, 19 November 2005 (UTC)
Can't argue with that.  :) But don't delete it, move it to trivia. Pfalstad 01:16, 20 November 2005 (UTC)
Someone has just edited the Article, regarding Harry Morgan (having played both Steele & later Potter), moving it to the Trivia section. However, I've just notice that this info, is already listed under the Trivia section. GoodDay 17:19, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
  • D'oh... I moved it (see the edit history) but didn't look to see if it was already there. I'll fix it up, as I've also just watched the episode and noted that the ultimate fate of the general isn't quite correct. -Le Scoopertemp [tk] 21:46, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
Great edit "Scoops", that's exactly what happend to Steele. Oh by the way, I've mispelled Steele's first name (Nov.19/2005), it's Bartford not Beford, "What a dance, they all say..." GoodDay 22:58, 21 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Problems with this article

I'm afraid don't have time to make major edits to this page, so here's a little constructive (I hope) criticism:

For a 36k page, the article could do a better job of explaining what the show is about. The synopsis, for example, isn't a synopsis. It assumes a familiarity with the show, which some readers might not have.

The "Main characters" and "Recurring characters" sections should probably be near the start of the article, with details of each. It makes little sense to list the actors first, since Alan Alda et al are not, in fact, characters in M*A*S*H.

I've made some fairly drastic deletions to the "Trivia" and "Continuity errors" sections. The trivia section, particularly, is too long for a trivia section anyway - about a third of this article. The pieces deleted were badly written and non essential, so please rethink the phrasing before re-instating any of them. TheMadBaron 20:17, 17 December 2005 (UTC)


Does anyone mention the fact that when Potter first arrives he says he's going to be with MASH 4077 for 18 months. Considering the war ends before he leaves that means he joined the unit in mid 1951 at earliest (possible). Yet in series 10 or 11 there is an episode which recounts a year. Potter plays Father Time at a fancy dress party at both new years eve party. The first party celebrates the end of 1950 and the second the end of 1951. Contiuity error methinks!!! But it doesn't matter. I love the show personally but i just like to snigger to myself while im watching the dvds. Wondered if anyone else had noticed. :) --Arthur7 (talk) 10:32, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Continuity Errors

It's fiction! Not everything in the show happened in real life! So the story about the North Korean pilot defecting is not an anachronism. The fact that it didn't actually happen is just trivia. Pfalstad 22:09, 20 December 2005 (UTC)

The 'continuity errors' section of this article contains a variety of gramatical errors and way too many exclamation points.

Oh, amen. That's why I went psycho on it. And this person is STILL posting! Still posting random, useless facts that really just clog up the page, still horrid grammar, and still the excessive exclamation marks. ARGH. Can we excise more of it? Is that all right? Since the page is about the show, and not about how the writers/directors/actors/whatever scored up in continuity? Bouncehoper 05:43, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Other errors

  • MASH had a Japanese American Nurse in the series-ignoring the fact that Korea was just emerging from being explioted by Japan as a second class country from 1910 to 1945. Did the 4077 actually have Japanese AMericans on Staff???
    • The character of Spearchucker was removed from the series on the basis that there were no Negro surgeons in the Korean War; the character of Nurse Kellye was retained to the end. Presumably, the producers did their research equally well for both cases.
  • Also Hawkeye was from MAine and C.E.W. III was from Massachusetts-where are their NEW ENGLAND ACCENTS??
    • David Ogden Stiers certainly affects a Boston accent for his character. I find it more strange that he derides the American League when following the baseball scores in A War for All Seasons. As a Bostonian, he would cerainly be aware of the Red Sox (American League champions in 1946 and one-game-behind runners-up for the pennant in 1948 and 1949. The Red Sox are, of course, an AL team.
      • Well, he did say "Who cares about the Red Sox" in "Rally Round the Flagg, Boys." Something tells me Winchester considered baseball a subject beneath his interest--unless he could make money on it.Kyeo77 03:46, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
  • LAstly Lt. Col H. Blake- the only reference he makes to prior Korean war sercive is a remark that "In command School they taught me young men die" -a real military Surgeon of his rank and age would have had ACTIVE WORLD WAR II SERVICE.
    • And he probably did. The selected quote is "All I know is what they taught me in Command School. Rule Number One is Young Men Die (etc)". Nothing in that either confirms or denies active service in WWII. Just because he served in WWII does not mean he was a Lt-Col at that time or that he commanded at that time - those things were probably given to him upon his reactivation for Korea. There is no reference anytime to Col.Blake or Maj.Burns having been drafted, unlike the captains.

In fact, it is likley given their ages, that BJ/Trapper/Hawkeye were given deferments in WW2 for medical schools and had army reserve obligations. The "drafted" part was just angry words. --Purpleslog 03:42, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Well, once or twice (I can't remember the episode) but Hawkeye refers to himself, BJ, and Frank all being draftees. Frank had his own practice at home, and despite loving regulation did moan that he was away from his beloved practice and that his patients may be being stolen!!! --Arthur7 (talk) 10:39, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

  • ALso in regard to Colonel Potter-a real mismash. He was either born 1890 or 1901; lives in ether Nebraska or Missouri (where is his accent?}; always wants to be a doctor yet joins the army during World War I and becomes a POW; after the war still wants to be a doctor yet joins the Horse Cavalry; in the mid 1930's retries from the army and becomes a doctor in 4 years; in World War II is in two different battlefields in the same year 1944 in either Guam in the PACIFIC or Battle of the Buldge in EUROPE.

In regards to the "accent" you mention; depending upon one's viewpoint, pert' near everybody else has an "accent." Ponder this: one reason Omaha Nebraska was selected by so many firms involved with the 800 toll-free telephone number enterprises wherein people from across the USA call to order goods, seek information, etc. is that the "accent" of the denizens in that portion of the "midwest" (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas) are considered to have the most "neutral accent," on the whole, of the several accents within the USA.68.13.191.153 02:21, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I always assumed he was downsized outo fthe army after WW1 (it shrunk big-time) became a MD afterward and then rejoined the Army. If he was attached to calvary unit as a surgeon that would work.--Purpleslog 03:42, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Potter only mentioned Nebraska in 2 early episodes. All other references are to Hannibal, Missouri. He did his residency in St. Louis and began his practice in 1932. Awhislyle 03:14, 09 January 2007 (UTC)

Actually, some episodes quote his medical decree being in the early 20's, which he went through with some big shot general who failed. Also see what i've put further up!!! --Arthur7 (talk) 10:39, 14 December 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Question about potters horse

when radar gave the horse to potter....the horse was refered to as "him"

in later shows, the horses name is Sophie...so how did the sex of the horse change?

Er... there were alot of doctors on the show? ...Then again it's probably just a continuity goof. Gohst 06:40, 1 April 2006 (UTC)

I'd put that down as a continuity goof. Either that or the doctors were too busy trying to catch and cure the horse to check! ;)--The Wizard of Magicland 13:25, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

It's just a mistake on Radars part perhaps? like you refer to boats as girls maybe he thinks all horses are guys! though he's from a farm OH WELL it dosnt matter

[edit] M*O*S*H

Is this a misspelling or what?

  • Just someone being silly. It's been changed back. Zaui 18:05, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Obituary

i wonder if anyone can tell me if they know of anyone of the main charatcers who are dead?

all i have is McLean Stevenson. who died of heart attack at 66. if any one could reply or e-mail it would be great!

You didn't sign or date this, but if you're really interested I suggest you try the internet movie database; they should have actor profiles that will tell you when/if they died and so on. That should help for the lesser characters, while http://www.mash4077.co.uk/actor.html ought to help with the main cast. They have profiles and tributes to the ones who have died since they left the show. According to that it's only McLean Stevenson and Larry Linville that have.--The Wizard of Magicland 13:29, 2 May 2006 (UTC)


Yeh, Larry Linville died a couple years ago from a stroke to do with his smoking. --Arthur7 (talk) 10:40, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] No Black Surgeons in Korea

I've heard the quote as both "No Black Surgeons in Korea", or "No Black Surgeons in Korean M*A*S*H units. Which was the original quote exactly?

While I haven't been able to confirm it, there is someone on Koreanwar.org who claims his father "Captain Frank "Doc" Woodson", was a black surgeon in both Tokyo and Korea. However even if he helped in Korea, it doesn't necessarily mean he was ever stationed in a M*A*S*H unit, it is unknown if he ever visited a M*A*S*H unit. Apparently he was mainly stationed in Tokyo.

http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/8167med.htm

I highly doubt the person would make up stories about his own father, but it would be nice if we had more history on this surgeon.

Also I found some info on another black surgeon in Korea; Dr. W. Ferguson Reid http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/speccoll/civilrights/freid01.html

Who was also apparently a surgeon in Korea(again apparently never stationed in a M*A*S*H unit). Though he uses the term "Medical Unit". What kind of Medical unit is he referring to exactly?

"One year in Korea with the 1st Marine Division and another year at the United States Naval Hospital at Bethesda...when I was in Korea I was the only black surgeon in the group, in the medical unit that we were in."

It seems to mean that the whole "no blacks surgeons in Korea" thing may be the innaccurate paraphrase of what was actually said(the phrase stated in the Wiki being more accurate). That being said if there were black surgeons who were stationed or visited Korea during the war, I would be interested in knowing where they were stationed or were visiting during the war. Did any ever visit M*A*S*H units at all during the war?

[edit] Jumping the shark

I've taken out the jumping the shark phrase, rewriting it to something less problematic to support. Jumping the shark is very subjective, and as such does not add useful information. The Jumping the Shark, M*A*S*H page, with the reader poll voting for when it jumped the shark, shows rather mixed results for when it jumped the shark anyway. --Carboncopy 04:16, 8 June 2006 (UTC)


[edit] M*A*S*H vs. MASH

There doesn't seem to be any consistancy in how this phrase is used - on this page and on others on characters, actors etc. Should M*A*S*H be used in reference to the show, film, and book while MASH is used to identify any mobile army surgical hospital? Or am I simply missing the method of the madness? :-) Any clarification would be appreciated. --JustAGal 17:05, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

  • Unless I'm mistaken M*A*S*H should be used for the show/movie/books while MASH is for the actual facility, yes. Staxringold talkcontribs 17:08, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
    • Well, that's what I would have thought but after reading Talk:MASH (film) I'm more confused than ever! --JustAGal 18:08, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
The original novel was MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. (I just corrected the reference in this article). See covers at Harper Collinsand currently here on Wikipedia at the article linked to above. Wakedream (talk) 20:49, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] MASH in alternative Timeline

  • Too Bad that MASH tooks place 1950-1953-if it took place in the future-such as Star Trek-there would probably be an alternative timeline epsiode of the 1950's MASH in which Blake/Hawkeye/Trapper John/BJ/Radar and Klinger would find them selves in a Front line aid station with 24 hour casualities/no hot food/no showers/no booze; Burns would be a petulant Army bureaucrat/Potter vs. Winchester taking place in a stateside hospital-and MASH 4077 would be commanded by Houilian!!
    • Or alternatively how "MASH" could have been written with the facts of the Korean War In mind:
  • August 1950 MASH 4077 arrives in Pusan Perimiter after North Korean offense of June 1950.
  • OCt 25, 1950 Chinese enter war
  • Jan-Feb 1951 MacArthur vists MASH 4077
  • April 11, 1951 MacArthur releved of command; Matthew Ridgeway takes over
  • May 1952, Mark Wayne Clark takes command
  • Sept 11, 1952 Blake Killed;
  • Sept 12, 1952, Burns takes command; Trapper John Leaves and B.J. Hunnicut arrives.
  • Sept 19, 1952, Potter takes command
  • OCt 11, 1952, Burns puts Hawkeye on Mutiny charges; Hawkeye cleared
  • OCtober 31, 1952-not 1950 Halloween pranks aginast HOuilhan
  • Dec 1952, Hawkeye accidently declared dead; Eisenhower vists Korea
  • April 1, 1953-not 1950 MASH plays biggist April fools joke on HAwkeye
  • April-May 1953 {not 1950} Chinese exchange wounded with MASH 4077; North Korea propaganda lies against HAwkeye
  • May 1953-{not 1952} Burns wife plans to divorce him; HOuilhan gets married; Burns runs away and is set back to the states as a psychritic case; Major Winchester replaces Burns. Radar and Potter are wounded. Radar goes home and Klinger gives up wearing dresses to get a Section 8
  • July 27, 1953 Hawkeye has a nervous breakdown and Mulcahy goes partily deaf; Korean War ends and everyone goes home.

Of course if had been written this way-there would be no classic epsiodes of Winchester and Klinger losing bets because of the OCtober 1951 world series; or BJ nearly having a nervous breakdown and Winchester complaining because they been in Korea for two years_actually BJ only been in Korea for 11 months and Winchester for 2 months. With this alternative MASH would have lasted only a total of preahps 5 seasons-not 11.

  • By the by, Winchester had already been in Korea in Seaul with that General hadn't he. So, it had been a while. --Arthur7 (talk) 10:44, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What ep is this?

>or his continuing of a family tradition of anonymously giving
>Christmas treats to an orphanage. The episode featuring this
>tradition is considered by many fans to be the most moving in the
>series (more so >than even the loss of Henry Blake), as Winchester
>subjects himself to condemnation after realizing that “it is wrong
>to offer dessert to a child who has had no meal.” Isolating
>himself, he is saved by Corporal Klinger’s own gift of
>understanding. For the final moment of the episode, Major and
>Corporal are simply friends.

What's the name of this episode? Should be included w/description.

That would be season 9's "Death Takes a Holiday". That's one of my favorites when it comes to the Christmas episodes. Hope this helps, Hotstreets 19:29, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] trivia thought

In the beginning of the series, the helicopter shows a wounded person coming in and an arm hanging down. Sometime in the middle of the series, the arm doesn't hang down. I don't know when the change takes place though. Bekkie 04:12, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

Trivia note: The mention that Col. Potter's wife's picture is Spring Byington seems to be a mistake - Larry Gelbart himself said the photo was Harry Morgan's first wife, who would be Eileen Detchon per the IMDb. Site here, from a post by Larry Gelbart on Usenet: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.mash/msg/4c2ca93b990646fd?hl=en&

Anyone mind if I change the trivia note and use the Usenet post and IMDb entry as a source? Clockster 04:45, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

By the way, I did see the rule about not using Usenet posts as a source, so nevermind my previous suggestion. Clockster 19:30, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Question

Was there ever an anaethetist in the OR? It could never have been one of the Doctors as they are often operating at the same time. Matira 10:32, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes, the doctors are shown many times doing duty as surgeons but also as anaethetists. Not at the same time of course. Dismas|(talk) 11:08, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
There was a regular anesthesiologist named Ugly John who appeared in the early episodes, but he disappeared quickly. But there was always someone performing anesthesia duties. Kyeo77 03:40, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

Nurses were also sometimes assigned this duty

And when Hawkeye (or occasionally Charles) were performing miraculous solo surgery BJ would be the 'gas passer'. --Arthur7 (talk) 10:49, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Jamie Farr error

"After his role in the 1955 film, The Blackboard Jungle, he entered the United States Army for two years serving overseas in Japan and Korea. His tour of Korea was after the war had ended." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Farr

Given his date of birth and dates of Korean War, I'd say that the information in the above link is the more accurate, so I'll remove the inaccurate information under the Trivia section regarding Jamie Farr's Korean War service.Jlujan69 05:30, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] To the user who keeps posting under "134.53.145___"

Yes, we know you're quite up to date on Korea, and history in general. That's great; in fact, good job. But please - not so much minutiae, nor emphasis, nor exclamation points. The page does NOT need every little detail about the show that was different from the actual war. Maybe start a page just for that? That would make more sense. Bouncehoper 06:17, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] monster mash

why isn't there a link to the mash wiki, monster mash ?

[edit] Some kind of redirect

When you search "M*A*S*H (tv series)" nothing comes up but when you search for "M*A*S*H (TV series)" this article comes up. i suggest adding some knd of redierct like most articles have. 218.186.9.1 10:50, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Done, just for you. Shinobu 02:59, 22 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Episode 'Hepatitis'

I've no source for this, but in this episode Frank Burns hypocontriacly complains to Hawkeye ""I've a lump under my sternum" (something to that effect), tragically Burns actor Larry Linville would have a part of his lung removed (tumour), discovered via a lump under his sternum (he'd pass on in 2000), errie. GoodDay 23:30, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Dramedy"

I've taken the liberty of correcting some information about the description "dramedy". This word did not enter popular usage until after the show was cancelled, but in fact it was coined in 1978 as ad copy for the movie The Big Fix. Cactus Wren 23:31, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Episode notability

I've noticed that, with the exception of the excellent "Abyssinia, Henry", all the existing individual episode pages for MASH fail notability guidelines, including the notability guidelines for television episodes, and have been tagged accordingly. Might I suggest these articles are improved with real-world information (ie. referencing with reliable sources) to assert notability, removing trivia (seeWP:TRIVIA) quotes, overly long plot summaries (a breach of copyright) or consider merging the information onto the season page. Otherwise, when these pages come up for review in fourteen days, they may be redirected, merged or deleted. If you want any help or info, then come to Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Television/Episode coverage. I have also excluded Goodbye, Farewell and Amen from the review process as it seems to have good sources, but I encourage you to work on it as another editor may choose to tag it if there seems no move towards meeting guidelines. Thanks. Gwinva 17:33, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] format for episodes

are we using "3.6" or "3/6"? . or / ? i'd like to know for continuity's sake. right now it looks like the one used most is "." Bouncehoper 03:12, 27 July 2007 (UTC)


[edit] MASH

Could someone with more knowledge of Wiki than I please research and add these important facts to the MASH article? There is no mention of the "swamp", the home of the doctor staff The set of the "swamp" is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. (I know this because I have seen it) The signpost, with all the directional signs and mile markers is also in the Smithsonian. Tristara 11:29, 19 September 2007 (UTC) Patricia Lee Tristara 11:29, 19 September 2007 (UTC) Patricia Lee

  • I added this information for you under trivia. Just finished watching the 30th Anniversary Reunion special where they in fact mentioned this. Nitrowolf 08:17, 21 September 2007 (UTC)
  • The Swamp is not actually on display "to this day" as that Museum of American History is under renovation. However, in the Museum of Air and Space is a temporary exibit called "American Treasures" and that exhibit does have have, among many other wonderful things, the sign post. The Swamp is expected to be in the newly renovated place, in 2 years or so. I don't know how to source that info, I only know I actually visited these places this past summer, so I witnessed it personally. (July 2007)Tristara 18:54, 24 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] American vs. Canadian vs. British

I certainly hope I'm not causing a problem by reversing some of someone's edits. An editor, I'm sure well-intentioned, corrected some spelling and grammatical errors in the article, which is helpful. In the process, however, the editor also changed some grammatical forms that are standard for America to those that are standard for Canada and Britain. I have great respect for British usage--in many ways, I prefer it. However, as this is an article about an American television show, I am changing the Canadian usage back to the American. Wikipedia guidelines suggest that it's preferable to use the grammatical forms that fit the nation of origin of an article, and that it's preferable to keep the usage as it was in an article. Both of these would suggest using American grammar. I welcome anyone's opinion. Wakedream (talk) 04:55, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree; it's an American show, so American usage should be correct. Bouncehoper (talk) 18:34, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Centralized TV Episode Discussion

Over the past months, TV episodes have been redirected by (to name a couple) TTN, Eusebeus and others. No centralized discussion has taken place, so I'm asking everyone who has been involved in this issue to voice their opinions here in this centralized spot, be they pro or anti. Discussion is here [1]. Even if you have not, other opinions are needed because this issue is affecting all TV episodes in Wikipedia, including this one. --Maniwar (talk) 03:54, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Anachronism

This bit of trivia seems unclear,

1.12 (the Christmas episode) shows Hawkeye descending to a foxhole on a summer day. The real Korean War December campaign was not only one of the coldest on record, but the fighting at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was in North Korea and not near the DMZ-which didn't come into existence until after 1950.

The anachronism note implies that the story takes place during the "summer". Now, while its generally known that all winter episodes were filmed during the hot malibu months. This doesn't mean that the story takes place "during the summer" infact as I recall there are a few lines in the episode that either discuss that its in the middle of winter, or imply that its in the middle of winter. Despite the appearances of the set. The other evidence that it is winter, being that Hawkeye and other characters are wearing sweaters and parkas, and other cold weather gear. Also the ground appears to be iced/wet over in plenty of the shots.

Granted it may not look like a true korean winter, in the location that the series was shot but there is enough in the episode to tell the context that the story wasn't taking place during the "summer". I'm going to remove the reference to summer (or at least put it into better context).132.160.43.102 (talk) 20:04, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

Another bit of trivia -- in some of the episodes, civilian registration numbers (i.e. N-numbers) are clearly visible painted on some of the choppers. Military aircraft would not have had those markings. -- RoySmith (talk) 19:50, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Anachronisms and historical errors

Do we need more of this garbage? What is the point? Yes, we get it; it's not "historically correct." Whoopie doo. Please state valid reasons for additions BEFORE you add them. Thank you. Bouncehoper (talk) 08:24, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

You made a valid point in one of your editing comments, in that the "article is getting too long", why not create some spinout articles for some of the longer sections of the article? The anachronism and historical error section would be a good place to start.Splintercell007 (talk) 23:05, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
Mostly cuz I don't give a crap. I don't see the point of hashing out every little thing that could possibly be historically inaccurate in an 11-year series. If someone else wants to, that's fine with me, but I really don't care enough to make a page myself. I just don't want to see any more nitpickiness (word?) on this page. Bouncehoper (talk) 04:33, 9 February 2008 (UTC)


I think the whole section should come out - M*A*S*H didn't pretend to be a documentary. It's fictitious, so it is not worth a section pointing out every time it deviated from the facts. It is worth a sentence only somewhere else in the article. (Dean B (talk) 21:18, 9 March 2008 (UTC))

[edit] Vehicles

Does anyone have any info about the jeep/ambulance vehicles used in the series. If so, please add to the section therein. M173627 (talk) 21:00, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Article structure

To me the article isn't ordered logically. The "trivia" sections should really move towards the bottom of the structure, and the more meaningful parts about the programme should move up. Specifically the sections within the cast area, 3.2 Actors with multiple roles, 3.3 Character names, 3.4 Notable actors and actor information are really more in the area of trivia and only mildly interesting facts, rather than key information for anyone accessing the article. They are also very long. In comparison, the sections 5 Changes, 6 "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", 7 Change in tone, and 15 Unique and unusual episodes are very well written and informative about the programme. How about this as a revised order (obviously with revised numbering)

   * 1 Episodes
   * 2 Synopsis
   * 3 Cast - Recurring characters
   * 4 The set
   * 5 Changes
   * 7 Change in tone
   * 15 Unique and unusual episodes
   * 6 "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen"
   * 14 On-set
         o 14.1 Character information
               + 14.1.1 Character injuries
         o 14.2 Vehicles
         o 3.2 Actors with multiple roles
         o 3.3 Character names
         o 3.4 Notable actors and actor information
   * 11 Anachronisms and historical errors
   * 8 Awards
   * 9 Nielsen ratings
   * 12 Spinoffs and specials
   * 10 Popularity today
         o 10.1 Influences on pop culture
   * 13 DVD releases
   * 16 Notes and references
   * 17 External links

I'll wait and see the reaction before attempting this overhaul. (Dean B (talk) 21:34, 9 March 2008 (UTC)) wow, sounds hardcore, but i like it. makes more sense that way. i throw my vote in for yes. Bouncehoper (talk) 11:28, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Looking for help writing an article about the spin-offs and crossovers of this series

I am writing an article about all of the series which are in the same shared reality as this one through spin-offs and crossovers. I could use a little help expanding the article since it is currently extremely dense and a bit jumbled with some sentence structures being extremely repetitive. I would like to be able to put this article into article space soon. Any and all help in writing the article would be appreciated, even a comment or two on the talk page would help. Please give it a read through, also please do not comment here since I do not have all of the series on my watch list. - LA @ 17:05, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

== What are valid references for George Morgan playing Mulcahy in the Pilot?

I can find lots of other websites that (I think) are not wiki-derived. Are these legitimate sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638383/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0604680/ http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/mash/mash.htm http://www.faqs.org/faqs/tv/mash/guide/ http://www.bestcareanywhere.net/encyclopedia.htm http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/9348/mash.htm http://www.amazon.com/M-S-H-Season-Collectors/dp/B00005QVVC http://epguides.com/Mash/guide.shtml --DAW0001 (talk) 11:24, 2 June 2008 (UTC)


[edit] Laughter track not used in the UK

It's worth pointing out in this article that when the show was shown in the UK on the BBC the laughter track was completely omitted. If you want a cite for this - see http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?Index=4536&User=35366 - also they report that it was accidentally broadcast with the laughter track once. It reports this as an urban legend. But I'm pretty sure it's true. Jooler (talk) 21:12, 3 June 2008 (UTC)