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Wiz Imp

(6,204 posts)

69. Each cast departure weakened the show in my opinion.

Wed Jul 16, 2025, 06:21 PM

Jul 16

Only Harry Morgan as Colonel Potter was a good replacement IMO though his casting significantly changed the tone of the show. But he was such a good actor to me I could accept him in that role. I like and respect Mike Farrell, but his character of BJ couldn't hold a candle to Trapper. David Ogden Stiers was a great actor, but his character was all wrong for the show. As horrible a person as the character of Frank Burns was, he added a lot to the dynamic of the show though I understand why Larry Linville chose to leave the show. They were probably smart in not replacing Gary Burghoff with a new actor, but he was crucial to the show, and the show declined precipitously after he left (even if the rest of the cast hated him as is rumored). The changing of Klinger's character was absolutely terrible to me.

The last several seasons are completely unwatchable to me. This blogger nails it for me:
https://manofwow.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-slow-burn-of-mash-jumping-shark.html

The show starts off as one of the best shows on television being both very funny and socially relevant, which is rare. It also has its fair share of pathos. By the end the 11th season, it is unwatchable. The last few seasons are so bad that I cannot watch it while trying to sleep. It just makes me angry. It is no longer funny, the drama is bad and so preachy and self-righteous. It is almost insulting at times.

I can watch any episode from the first 3 seasons at any time. The next couple seasons after that are OK - watchable if I'm in the mood. If a Post Frank Burns episode come on, I'll generally change the channel (probably quickly). If an episode comes on from when after Radar left, I'll run screaming the other direction.

As much as I love Alan Alda and the general underlying politics of the show, as it went on, Alda had more control over everything and seemed to either forget or ignore what made the show so likeable in the beginning. M*A*S*H was much better as a comedy with dramatic elements than the other way around.

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Just watched the worst M*A*S*H episode [View all] Oeditpus Rex Jul 13 OP

Good gawd... Compared to the crap sitcoms and what passes for comedy today? hlthe2b Jul 13 #1

Why must you compare it Oeditpus Rex Jul 13 #7

As has already been repeatedly said to you: "this was not a documentary..." hlthe2b Jul 14 #20

No, my comment Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #23

... hlthe2b Jul 14 #29

... Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #32

This show lasted three times longer than the actual Korean war LetMyPeopleVote Jul 14 #37

Why? (n.t.) Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #39

Really? LetMyPeopleVote Jul 14 #40

All you'd need Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #45

Actually closer to 4 times as long. 11 years vs 3. Wiz Imp Jul 16 #67

It's not a documentary. Ptah Jul 13 #2

It lasted longer than that war. Attilatheblond Jul 13 #4

Very astute observation Oeditpus Rex Jul 13 #8

Continuity errors boonecreek Jul 13 #3

I can think of one Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #13

Then there was Rob's old army buddy, boonecreek Jul 14 #22

Wasn't Marty Ingels Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #35

You're right. boonecreek Jul 14 #42

I guess his biggest claim to fame Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #57

They were carpenters. boonecreek Jul 15 #62

Hmm... kinda like the Lounge, that last thing Oeditpus Rex Jul 16 #65

The biggest continuity error was making a 3 year war last 10.5 on air, RockRaven Jul 13 #5

Big "but" here: They only wrote and taped three Ilsa Jul 14 #31

Given that the war only lasted for 3 years and the series ran 11... Wounded Bear Jul 13 #6

Sorry, but as far as I am concerned, M*A*S*H* is one of the few shows that never jumped the shark. Marie Marie Jul 13 #9

I totally agree. 3catwoman3 Jul 13 #10

I agree also. Diamond_Dog Jul 14 #30

Agree debm55 Jul 14 #36

I agree LetMyPeopleVote Jul 14 #38

This is the answer. ms liberty Jul 14 #43

Agreed! electric_blue68 Jul 15 #46

The shows are clearly drawn from multiple parallel universes... hunter Jul 13 #11

I am so happy for you that you have the time and energy for this. Most niyad Jul 14 #12

Yeah, you're busy with important questions Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #14

Some poeple enjoy those threads, They are fun and get people sharing. debm55 Jul 14 #17

Good morning, Deb. Yes, they are fun, and yes, we enjoy them. niyad Jul 14 #18

Thank you niyad. debm55 Jul 14 #19

It's not just the threads, deb True Dough Jul 15 #56

This one was intended for just that purpose Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #24

That may have been your intention...but... ms liberty Jul 14 #44

Then there were those of us Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #48

They help balance out the bad stuff! electric_blue68 Jul 15 #47

Yes, we enjoy those threads. They help temper the horror of the tRump monstrous administration. Polly Hennessey Jul 14 #26

At least for me - fun, laughter, beauty, wonderment, etc Are what Help me get away from, or wade through ... electric_blue68 Jul 15 #60

M.A.S.H. lasted about 12 days Rigpa108 Jul 14 #15

M*A*S*H was a half hour show. There were 256 episodes with the final one, at 2 1/2 hours the only one not a half hour. Wiz Imp Jul 16 #68

M*A*S*H was best for the first three seasons. Morbius Jul 14 #16

They made it into Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #25

Each cast departure weakened the show in my opinion. Wiz Imp Jul 16 #69

Don't forget how upbeat and peppy the shows music got in the last few years. Omnipresent Jul 14 #28

We Are Polar Opposites On This ProfessorGAC Jul 15 #51

I think Frank Burns and TACO are the same guy yourout Jul 15 #54

Beauty! ProfessorGAC Jul 15 #55

Blake was much more a bufoon Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #64

Potter's Arrival ProfessorGAC Jul 16 #66

Hear, hear... appmanga Jul 15 #53

I watched it through all 11 seasons Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #63

The movie was infinitely better than the TV series. (nt) Paladin Jul 14 #21

Two years too early Tiny Tabby Jul 14 #27

Nice catch! Oeditpus Rex Jul 14 #33

Not at all unexpected given sdfernando Jul 14 #34

Hot Lips father was a major continuity error. edbermac Jul 14 #41

OMG! Blazing Saddles had a Gucci bag, and yet, Gucci wasn't founded until 1921! Ptah Jul 15 #49

Is that something Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #58

Normally, Continuity Errors Bother Me ProfessorGAC Jul 15 #50

GET A LIFE Xoan Jul 15 #52

... Oeditpus Rex Jul 15 #59

I love MASH, have little criticism of it. Reccently I watched tbe ep "Adam's Rib" about Hawkeye trying to get these... electric_blue68 Jul 15 #61