There are few television programs as famous as M*A*S*H. Few sitcoms have run as long, won as many awards, or garnered so much critical praise. But M*A*S*H did all these things and it did them in a special way: combining comedy with drama to make viewers not only laugh but feel. For eleven seasons M*A*S*H broadcast its unique blend of humor and emotion to the viewing public before wrapping up with a movie-length series finale that remains to this day the highest-rated program in the history of broadcast television in the United States of America. M*A*S*H surely is the finest kind.
This website is dedicated to preserving and exploring the history of M*A*S*H, from the original fall preview for the series broadcast in September of 1972 to the obscure animated parody and everything in between. Researched articles on a variety of topics are complemented by rare photographs and video footage only found here. Additionally, a detailed broadcast history recounting every premiere, pre-emption and repeat aired during M*A*S*H's original run on CBS is available.
The site is broken into four main sections. The Articles section contains lengthy articles on topics ranging from AfterMASH to the iconic M*A*S*H signpost. In the Features section you'll find a hodgepodge of items including an in-depth look at the Nurses of the 4077th, M*A*S*Hback and an illustrated guide to the 4077th compound. The Interact section is where you -- the fans -- can volunteer your knowledge of M*A*S*H. And the Episodes section holds an episode guide, broadcast histories for each season and more. Feel free to simply explore and enjoy what you stumble upon.
Join other M*A*S*H fans to talk about the show at the Television Obscurities forums, where M*A*S*H, Finest Kind has its own discussion forum.
Latest News & Updates
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Multiple Alda Items Up For Auction
Four pieces of M*A*S*H memorabilia donated by star Alan Alda, including the army boots he wore in the series, are up for auction at Charity Folks, with all proceeds benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Alda's dog tags, mentioned in this W.E.N.N. article, are not yet up for auction. In addition to the army boots: an autographed copy of Alda's "Inga" script, a copy of The Last Days of M*A*S*H (written by Alda and his wife as the series came to a close) and a signed copy of M*A*S*H's Greatest Hits, a record album recorded by the cast in 1978.
Alan Alda's Army Boots
Autographed Copy of Inga
The Last Days of M*A*S*H
Signed Copy of M*A*S*H's Greatest Hits
A copy of M*A*S*H's Greatest Hits was auctioned off by Profiles in History in August of 2005, and the auction listing noted that the following was printed on the back of the album:
The army boots have a starting bid of $5,000 and a fair market value of $25,000 and a reserve. The other items all start at $250, have a fair market value of the same amount, and no reserve. The auctions for all four items end on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at 3:00PM EST.
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Alda Auctioning Off Dog Tags, Boots from M*A*S*H
According to World Entertainment News Network (via the IMDb), Alan Alda will be auctioning off the dog tags and army boots he wore in the role of Hawkeye Pierce during his time on M*A*S*H to raise money for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports injured troops. The items will be auctioned as part of the second annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, presented by the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation (read a press release here).
The W.E.N.N. article states that the items will be auctioned off at the charityfolks.org website today (Tuesday, November 4th), but I believe the actual website is charityfolks.com. The page for the Bod Woodruff Foundation can be found here. Alda discussed the boots and dog tags in "Memories of M*A*S*H," a retrospective originally broadcast in November of 1991:
How much will the items -- perhaps not the most famous memorabilia from M*A*S*H but still important and with a personal connection to show's biggest name -- sell for is a question I look forward to having answered.
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
M*A*S*H Not The Most Memorable Moment
Although TV's Most Memorable Moments were not revealed during the telecast of the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the winners were announced at ABC's Emmy website. M*A*S*H made it to the Top Five but lost to Friends, a scene from "The One Where Ross Finds Out" (originally broadcast November 9th, 1995). Other finalists in the comedy category included I Love Lucy, South Park and Seinfeld.
Sunday, September 21st, 2008
M*A*S*H at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards
ABC broadcast the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards earlier this evening and despite having been off the air for twenty-five years, M*A*S*H was represented. Singer Josh Groban performed a medley of television theme songs from the past sixty years and included was a short snippet from M*A*S*H, complete with the lyrics, written for the film MASH, that were never heard during the opening credits of the series. Groban sang in an upbeat style, with a four-women chorus line behind him.
Prior to the reading of the nominees in the Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie category, Howie Mandel introduced a short scene from the series finale of M*A*S*H, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (originally broadcast February 28th, 1983). In the background was a recreation of the Swamp (a variety of iconic television sets were recreated throughout the broadcast).
M*A*S*H was among the contenders for Television's Most Memorable Moments in the comedy category. The scene in question was the dramatic and shocking announcement of Colonel Henry Blake's death in the episode "Abyssinia, Henry" (originally broadcast March 18th, 1975). Voting was open to the public and ran from August 15th through September 15th. M*A*S*H made it into the Top Ten and the winners in both the comedy and drama categories were supposed to be announced live during the prime time telecast, but presumably were cut for time.
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Vote for M*A*S*H as TV's Most Memorable Moment
On August 18th, ABC and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences opened the polls and allowed fans to vote for Television's Most Memorable Moments in two categories, Drama and Comedy/Variety (see this ABC news article). Among the initial twenty television shows in the Comedy/Variety category was M*A*S*H, for the scene in "Abyssinia, Henry" when Radar informs Hawkeye, Trapper and the rest of the surgical staff of Colonel Blake's death.
Some time later, those forty moments were whittled down to ten in each category, with "Abyssinia, Henry" still in contention (see this ABC news article). Over 100,000 votes were cast. The voting will continue through September 15th and then, on Sunday, September 21st, during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards telecast, the top moment in each category will be revealed.
You can vote for your favorite moment in the comedy category here. Interestingly, several of the memorable moments in the Comedy category -- including the one from M*A*S*H -- are actually dramatic in content.
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
M*A*S*H Starts On ION Monday, September 8th
M*A*S*H will start airing on the ION television network next week, beginning Monday, September 8th. Two episodes will be shown back-to-back from 4-5PM ET, Monday through Friday, and from 6-7PM ET Saturday and Sunday. Check the ION website to see if you get ION in your area. I have updated M*A*S*H On TV to reflect this change.
Monday, September 1st, 2008
Developer Of MASH Unit Passed Away July 11th
Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the man most responsible for the creation of what eventually became the MASH unit, passed away on Friday, July 11th at the age of 99. According to a list of his accomplishments found at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center website:
Additionally, this timeline states that, in 1945, DeBakey was "awarded Legion of Merit for developing MASH units." According to his obituary, Dr. DeBakey performed over 60,000 heart surgeries during his career, which lasted more than 70 years and he is called "the greatest surgeon of the 20th century."
Thanks to Eric for notifying me of Dr. DeBakey's passing and his role in the creation of the MASH unit.
Although the television series M*A*S*H was and is fictional, the novel it was based on was written by H. Richard Hornberger, who served at a MASH unit during the Korean Conflict. Dr. DeBakey's role in the development of the MASH unit saved countless lives during the Korean Conflict and beyond, and his subsequent career helped save even more. In the words of Dr. Peter G. Traber, "As Baylor College of Medicine’s first President, he set a standard for preeminence and never let anyone here forget the importance of leadership in academic medicine. We have lost a man who was a great physician, educator, leader and above all, a great friend."