Sometimes, people get confused about the difference between a legal distinction and an actual distinction. This is what has caused many web sources to proclaim that the MASH spinoff, Trapper John, M.D. was actually a spinoff of the original movie, not of the TV series. Wrong! It was definitely meant to be a spinoff of … Read more
Doesn’t it seem weird that MASH has a canned laugh-track? Obviously, there was no studio audience and, after all, there was a war going on. So why did MASH have canned laughter? Well, it certainly wasn’t because the shows creators wanted it. Was the Laugh-Track Always There, Or Was It Added Later? MASH always aired … Read more
Although we know Radar and Trapper by their alternative nicknames, the only character in MASH who’s middle name we consistently hear is Charles Emerson Winchester, who was introduced in the sixth season to replace Frank Burns. Did Henry Blake have a middle name? Is it revealed in the show? Charles Winchester, of course, is fond … Read more
Unless you’ve seen the pilot episode of MASH dozens of times, as I have, you may be surprised to see someone other than William Christopher playing Father Mulcahy. Yes, that was the priest’s name in the first episode. He wasn’t replaced by another priest. This first actor to portray Father Mulcahy was George Morgan. He … Read more
Major Margaret Houlihan, head nurse of the 4077 MASH, played to perfection by the late Loretta Swit, was called by the nickname Hot Lips throughout much of the show’s run. But, when was she given this nickname? In the film adaptation of the original book, we witness the moment it happens. But, the show is … Read more
As with many questions about MASH, this one comes from the basic mistake of forgetting that it was a fictional comedy show first and everything else second. Nothing about the living quarters of the various characters on MASH had anything to do with reality and none of it made sense. They all served to advance … Read more
The writers really couldn’t keep Hawkeye’s character straight during the first season of MASH. He is the subject of such change, it will make your head spin. So, if you’re rewatching the first season, you may wonder, Does he have a sister? Is his mother alive? Is he from Vermont? I thought he was from … Read more
Although, admittedly, our beloved MASH TV show became the Hawkeye show in later seasons, he wasn’t the first character to speak in the show. That honor went, fittingly, to the only actor playing a main character who also appeared in the film version. Now, technically, I’m playing fast and loose with the truth if I … Read more