M*A*S*H (TV series)

American television series (1972–1983)

M*A*S*H is an American television sitcom made by Larry Gelbart about doctors in a mobile . It was inspired by MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. It stars Alan Alda as the main character. It was very popular, lasting 11 seasons, and having one of the most viewed series finales in television history.

M*A*S*H
Genre
Based on
Developed byLarry Gelbart
Starring
Theme music composerJohnny Mandel
(written for the movie)
Opening theme"Suicide Is Painless" (Instrumental)
Ending theme"Suicide Is Painless" (Big Band Version)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons11
No. of episodes256 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locationsLos Angeles County, California (Century City, Malibu Creek State Park)
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time25-26 minutes; except "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (2 hours)
Production company20th Century Fox Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 17, 1972 (1972-09-17) –
February 28, 1983 (1983-02-28)
Related
Trapper John, M.D.

Summary

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M*A*S*H is about a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. It stars Hawkeye Pierce, an American surgeon who dislikes the war and makes a lot of jokes.

There have been a strong cast of characters through the show's life. The only four people who appeared from the first episode to the last are Alan Alda and Loretta Swit. William Christopher's character, Father Mulcahy appeared in the first episode but was played by George Morgan. William Christopher took over the role for the rest of the series.

Character Actor/Actress Rank Role
Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Alan Alda Captain Chief surgeon
John Patrick Francis Mulcahy George Morgan (Pilot Episode), Replaced by William Christopher 1st Lieutenant,
later Captain
Chaplain
Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (O'Houlihan in the film) Loretta Swit Major Head nurse
Maxwell Q. Klinger Jamie Farr Corporal,
later Sergeant
Medic/Orderly,
later Company Clerk
John Francis Xavier "Trapper" McIntyre
(Seasons 1-3)
Wayne Rogers Captain Surgeon
Henry Braymore Blake
(Seasons 1-3)
McLean Stevenson Lieutenant Colonel Surgeon,
Commanding officer
Franklin Marion "Frank" Burns, also known as "Ferrett Face"
(Seasons 1-5)
Larry Linville Major,
later Lieutenant Colonel (off-screen)
Surgeon,
Temporary Commanding officer (following the discharge of Henry Blake)
Walter Eugene "Radar" O’Reilly
(Seasons 1-7)
Gary Burghoff Corporal Company Clerk,
Bugler
B. J. Hunnicutt
(replaced Trapper; Seasons 4-11)
Mike Farrell Captain Surgeon
Sherman T. Potter
(replaced Henry Blake; Seasons 4-11)
Harry Morgan Colonel Surgeon,
Commanding officer (After Lt. Col. Blake)
Charles Emerson Winchester III
(replaced Frank Burns; Seasons 6-11)
David Ogden Stiers Major Surgeon

"Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

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"Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" is the series finale. It was aired on February 28, 1983, and is two and a half hours long. Nearly 106 million Americans watched it, which was 77% of the people watching TV at the time. It is the most watched episode of any show in American history.