Recently, I followed an exchange where the discussion majored on the relative merits of British and American comedy. It made me realise that in the main I preferred British (but not all) over that of American comedy as it was more in tune with my own sense of humour. But there is at least one exception, and thus this blog – it is a series that I followed back in the day called M*A*S*H.

For some strange reason, my social media feed of late has been full or reminiscences concerning that series, and finding stories about and tributes to the actors who had took part. I wondered why? But first, here is what Wikipedia had to say about M*A*S*H …

“M*A*S*H is an American war comedy drama television series that aired on CBS from September 17, 1972, to February 28, 1983. It was developed by Larry Gelbart as the first original spin-off series adapted from the 1970 film of the same name, which, in turn, was based on Richard Hooker’s 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. The series, produced by 20th Century-Fox Television, follows a team of doctors and support staff stationed at the “4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital” in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War (1950–1953).

The ensemble cast originally featured Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers as surgeons Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce and “Trapper” John McIntyre, respectively, as the protagonists of the show; joined by Larry Linville as surgeon Frank Burns, Loretta Swit as head nurse Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, McLean Stevenson as company commander Henry Blake, Gary Burghoff as company clerk Walter “Radar” O’Reilly, Jamie Farr as orderly Maxwell Klinger, and William Christopher as the chaplain, Father John Mulcahy. Over the run of the show, several members of the main cast were replaced: Wayne Rogers was replaced by Mike Farrell as B. J. Hunnicutt, McLean Stevenson was replaced by Harry Morgan as Sherman Potter, Larry Linville was replaced by David Ogden Stiers as Charles Emerson Winchester III, and, when Gary Burghoff left the show, the Maxwell Klinger character moved into the company clerk role. Longtime supporting cast members included Kellye Nakahara, Jeff Maxwell, Johnny Haymer, Allan Arbus, Edward Winter and G. W. Bailey.”

I also asked Meta AI two questions, which are pertinent to my wondering about the past.

The First Question was: “There has been a lot recently on my social media feeds concerning the hit TV series MASH. Any reason for this?” To which the answer came …

“The classic TV series M*A*S*H is making waves on social media, and there are a few reasons why. The show’s 50th anniversary was recently celebrated, and it’s still widely popular today, with a strong online presence.

Recent Events and Milestones:

– A two-hour special, ” M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television,” aired on FOX on January 1, 2025, featuring new cast interviews.

– The show’s iconic signpost is now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Why M*A*S*H Remains Relevant:

– Its themes of coping with adversity, finding humor in difficult situations, and the human cost of war continue to resonate with audiences.

– The show’s influence on television and popular culture is still celebrated and referenced today.

It’s likely that these events and the show’s timeless themes are contributing to the buzz around M*A*S*H on social media”.

My second question was: “How would you describe each of the main characters in the later episodes of MASH: Captains Hawkeye and BJ, Majors Winchester and Hotlips, Colonel Potter, Klinger and Radar and the Catholic priest?” (I should add I watched (and also preferred) the later episodes of M*A*S*H over the earlier ones – likely also a matter of taste). The answer I was given was …

“Let’s break down the main characters in the later episodes of M*A*S*H:

– Captains Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicutt: Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is a witty, compassionate, and slightly eccentric surgeon with a strong anti-war sentiment. BJ (Mike Farrell) is a more laid-back, yet skilled surgeon who becomes Hawkeye’s close friend and partner in crime.

– Major Charles Winchester: A sophisticated, high-society Bostonian, Charles (David Ogden Stiers) is a talented surgeon with a dry wit and a penchant for classical music. He’s often at odds with Hawkeye, but deep down, he’s a softie.

– Major Margaret “Hotlips” Houlihan: A strict, by-the-book nurse, Margaret (Loretta Swit) is a complex character with a vulnerable side beneath her tough exterior. Her relationships with the doctors, particularly Hawkeye and Charles, are a recurring theme.

– Colonel Sherman Potter: The gruff but lovable commander of the 4077th, Potter (Harry Morgan) is a seasoned veteran and a father figure to the unit. He’s fair, yet firm, and always has his men’s backs.

– Corporal Maxwell Klinger: A cross-dresser and master of getting out of KP duty, Klinger (Jamie Farr) is a lovable, eccentric member of the unit. His antics provide comic relief, and he’s fiercely loyal to his friends.

– Corporal Radar O’Reilly: The young, innocent, and talented company clerk, Radar (Chris B. Young) is the voice of reason and often helps navigate the chaos. He’s a go-between for the doctors and the rest of the unit.

– Father Francis Mulcahy: The gentle, wise, and witty Catholic chaplain, Mulcahy (William Christopher) provides spiritual guidance and a calming presence amidst the chaos. He’s a friend to all, regardless of rank or creed.

These characters make up the heart and soul of the show, and their interactions and relationships are what make M*A*S*H so memorable.”

If I were to psycho-analyse why I liked M*A*S*H, especially compared with how I viewed a lot of other American comedy and some British comedy, it was chiefly because it did not presume and it made me laugh, while at the same time making me think, given the show honestly sought to grapple with dark themes, e.g. the futility of war, and the complexity and often ridiculousness one can find in human behaviour. I loved the characters and the way they were portrayed, especially those featuring in the later series, and the chemistry found between them. Do I need more reasons?