For the most part I stopped reporting news that wasn’t directly related to M*A*S*H some time ago. But I’m making an exception today for Alan Alda’s Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series category. He was nominated for his role in an episode of NBC’s 30 Rock (“Mamma Mia”). Alda was actually in two episodes of 30 Rock last season and it was during the second episode (“Kidney Now!”) that a hilarious M*A*S*H reference took place:

Unfortunately, you can probably only see the above video if you live in the United States. But everyone can find a complete list of this year’s Emmy Award nominations here.

Friday, July 19th, 2009 Edit:
The Hollywood Reporter has pages of reactions from nominees, including Alan Alda:

“Here I am associated again with one of the best best shows ever on television. I couldn’t be luckier — or happier,” said Alan Alda, nominated for guest actor in a comedy for “30 Rock.”

Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from? Feel free to post guesses in the comments section.

Name That Episode

I only started watching How I Met Your Mother on CBS this past season (its fourth) but thanks to repeats I was able to see an episode from the third season titled “The Bracket” in which there is a hilarious M*A*S*H reference. During a flashback scene Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) is trying to remember the name of the actor who played Hawkeye on M*A*S*H. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) suggests Alan Alda. Barney says no and heads for the bar. When he returns, he says it was Alan Alda.

Barney: “Alan Alda. It was Alan Alda.”
[Two minutes earlier]
Barney: “Who was that guy from M*A*S*H. The main guy. What… Hawkeye from MASH. How can I be blanking on this?”
Lily: “Alan Alda?”
Barney: “No.”

I’ve updated M*A*S*H References on Television with this latest reference.

Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from? Feel free to post guesses in the comments section.

Name That Episode

Back in October of 2005, TV Guide Magazine switched from its classic digest format to a larger, more standard magazine size. The final small-size issue, published on October 9th, 2005 (Volume 53, Number 41, Issue #2741), had nine commemorative covers. In each one, popular contemporary television stars recreated classic covers from the magazine’s past. Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa dressed up as the characters from I Dream of Jeannie, for example, and Jennifer Love Hewitt recreated The Flying Nun.

2005 Scrubs TV Guide Cover – Copyright 2005 TV Guide

1976 M*A*S*H TV Guide Cover – Copyright 2005 TV Guide

One of the other covers saw Zach Braff, Donald Faison and John C. McGinley from Scrubs down bathrobes to portray Hawkeye, B.J. and Colonel Potter from a 1976 M*A*S*H cover. Andy Ryan took the cover photograph. The cover pulls out to reveal the original 1976 version as well. Inside is a lengthy article about the recreated cover that includes an interview with John C. McGinley in which he discusses watching M*A*S*H and the influence of Colonel Potter on his Scrubs character.

Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from? Feel free to post guesses in the comments section.

Name That Episode