No other character shows the writing prowess of the MASH writers better than Klinger. As Jamie Farr said, how many times are you going to laugh at a guy wearing a dress. If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it. Klinger had so much dimension and there was always something new to laugh about or some great thing about him, like his kindness toward others, that drew you in to his character. And, he evolved as much, or more than any character on the show. It would seem reasonable that he simply “evolved” away form wearing dresses to try to get a Section 8 discharge. But, in reality, Klinger putting on his official Army duty uniform was mandated by the needs of the plot. It was caused by the departure of an actor in Season 8.
A Character That Couldn’t Be Replaced
Prior to this, all the actors who had left the show had been replaced by someone else. McLean Sevenson’s Henry Blake was replaced by Harry Morgan’s Col. Potter. Wayne Rogers’ Trapper John was replaced by Mike Farrell’s B.J. Hunnicutt. And, Larry Lynville’s Frank Burns was replaced by David Ogden Stier’s Charles Emerson Winchester. But, when Gary Burghoff decided to leave the series, the writers were presented a problem. Radar was too unique and special a character to simply be replaced. Any such replacement would be a let-down for fans who loved the innocent and gentle Radar O’Reilly. The solution, they decided, was to have Klinger take over Radar’s company clerk duties.
Klinger’s ever-changing wardrobe had to go. The company clerk was often the first person that a visitor to the camp would see, including any visiting brass. So, said clerk couldn’t be a harry guy wearing a dress because he wanted to prove he was too crazy to be in the Army. The two just didn’t jibe. No more dresses.
When Did Klinger Stop Wearing Dresses?
In reality, then, Klinger stopped wearing his dresses at the beginning of season 8 rather suddenly. Had Gary Burghoff not departed, it is not clear if Klinger’s character would have made the same change. Jamie Farr has stated, laughingly, that he was a bit nervous about losing his wardrobe:
“I was a little nervous at first. I said, ‘Oh, my goodness. They’re taking away my gimmick.”
At the beginning of Season 8, Radar is given a hardship discharge and a sendoff and the decision is made to have Klinger take over his duties. Klinger’s beginning as company clerk is difficult. He has a very hard time adjusting to the new and complex duties. In Season 8, Episode 6, “A Period of Adjustment,” the camp gives him a hard time, constantly comparing him to the efficient and seasoned Radar. Margaret calls him the “company cluck.” Colonel Potter is less than patient with Klinger as well, saying “We can’t all be Radars.”
Klinger has his fill of this abuse and goes off with B.J. to get drunk at Rosie’s bar. Meanwhile, Father Mulcahy tells Colonel Potter how Radar didn’t start out as perfectly formed company clerk. Henry Blake took Radar under his wing an helped him, giving him time to make the job his own. Potter realizes and admits that the camp also gave him time to adapt and accepted him despite their love for the late Henry Blake, and that Klinger deserved to be given the time and patience to make the job his own. Klinger becomes a competent clerk; not the same as Radar. He makes it his own and does the job his own way. He’s eventually promoted to Sergeant.
