If you enjoy *M*A*S*H* as much as I do, you most likely believe you’ve seen it everything, from the heartwarming moments to the memorable characters and amusing situations.
*M*A*S*H*, a beloved cultural icon and mainstay of American television, gained recognition for its incisive writing, profound emotional content, and clever humor.
Despite its widespread popularity, the show had flaws, anachronisms, and continuity issues, many of which its devoted audience was unaware of.
*M*A*S*H* was always playing in the background as I was growing up in the 1980s, with its theme music playing right before bed. As an adult, I gave the series another chance, and I’ve been hooked ever since. As a child, I never got past the opening before having to turn off the TV.
*M*A*S*H* was a cultural event that united families, not merely a television program. Nearly half of Americans watched its final episode in 1983, which continues to be the most-watched prime-time show ever.
As you are probably aware, *M*A*S*H* was set in the midst of the Korean War and centers on a team of medical professionals in a mobile army surgical hospital (M*A*S*H). In order to deal with the mayhem around them, the show explored the difficulties of combat, medicine, and interpersonal relationships while utilizing heart and humor.
It’s one of those shows that sticks with you, and now that I’m watching some of the episodes again, I’m seeing minor errors and bloopers that add to the enjoyment. Were any of them caught by you?
Hepatitis Death Case
Did you know that during season five, William Christopher, who played the endearing Father Mulcahy, had a nasty episode of hepatitis?
Mulcahy’s illness almost put an end to his tenure on the show, and producers even contemplated removing him from the series altogether. The catch is that stand-up comedian Alan Alda wasn’t having any of it. Given his son’s autism, he understood how crucial consistent work was for Christopher.
Alda had an ingenious idea: he created the entire episode “Hepatitis,” which cleverly integrated Christopher’s condition into Mulcahy’s plot. It’s a great strategy to keep Father Mulcahy in the show and demonstrates true friendship.
Frank Burns’ Prophecy on Tumors
Enjoy this entertaining piece of *M*A*S*H* trivia.
As Hawkeye (Alan Alda) examines Frank Burns in the episode “Hepatitis,” Frank remarks nonchalantly, “I do have a pea-sized tumor under my sternum.”
As unsettling as it may sound, the actor who portrayed Frank Burns, Larry Linville, died of a cancerous tumor behind his sternum. Life can occasionally mimic art in the most surprising and unnerving ways.
Fan Favorite to One-Episode Wonder
As Klinger on *M*A*S*H*, Jamie Farr wore dresses and skirts that few actors would be willing to wear, but he did it with such amazing charm and humor that he stood out. Let’s face it, the show wouldn’t have been the same without Farr, who played Max Klinger to perfection.
However, did you know that Farr was only supposed to make one appearance in the first place? He became a regular on the show, nevertheless, because of how well his performance was received by viewers, making him one of the most recognizable faces of *M*A*S*H*.
The Dog Tags’ Real Story
What about Jamie Farr’s dog tags from the show? In fact, those were his actual military dog tags from his pre-actor days in the military!
In an interview about the “Medicine and Martinis” box set, Farr revealed that his name, serial number, and even his religion were among the personal details on the tags. Authenticity, huh?
Have You Noticed the Military Errors?
The show delivered many memorable scenes in the landmark season 2 episode “For the Good of the Outfit,” but it also raised some questions regarding military authenticity. Among the most obvious errors? Henry Blake’s workplace has a Bell Huey UH-1 helicopter hanging there. The issue? It wasn’t until 1956, long after the Korean War setting of *M*A*S*H*, that the Huey ever made its first flight. That small part of military history is therefore rather out of place in the chronology!
Lieutenant Colonel Blake’s Death
One of the most upsetting and talked-about events in television history was Lieutenant Colonel Blake’s death in *M*A*S*H*. The sudden and tragic death of McLean Stevenson, who was departing the show in 1975, in an aircraft crash while returning to the United States, shocked both fans and reviewers.
The sudden death of a prominent character in a primetime series was unprecedented at the time. The show’s creators and producers justified the choice, saying it was intended to make a strong statement about the harsh reality of war, despite the fact that many were shocked.
The Producers Agreed
But that startling incident wasn’t the end of Colonel Blake’s tale.
Following Lieutenant Colonel Blake’s death, the show’s producers and writers reached an agreement after receiving a disproportionate number of hate mail. They resolved that no performer would ever again give their character such a horrible ending if they ever left *M*A*S*H*. Character departures on the program were handled differently as a result of the strong criticism.
The Left Hand of Radar’s Secret
Gary Burghoff played the endearing Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly, a simple-minded farm lad who worked as the company clerk and occasionally bugler, in seven seasons from 1972 to 1983.
But did you ever realize that Radar had a little-known trait that he made a concerted effort to hide? Gary Burghoff deftly concealed his left hand during scenes because he was born with Poland syndrome, a disorder that results in underdeveloped pectoral muscles and occasionally webbed fingers. He made sure that the attention remained on his acting and not his hand, whether he was holding a clipboard or keeping it in his pocket.
Why M*A*S*H Was Left by Radar
After making an appearance in every episode for the first three seasons, Burghoff’s family life was reportedly suffering due to his hectic schedule. Consequently, his character’s regular 24 episodes of appearances were cut to 13 episodes.
In the two-part goodbye episode “Good-Bye Radar,” which aired in season seven, Radar’s dismissal from the army was explained.
Burghoff didn’t take much with him when he departed MASH*.
In an interview with People, Burghoff disclosed, “I didn’t leave M*A*S*H a wealthy man.” Although money wasn’t the most important thing in my life, I could have renegotiated my contract.Either you want to be a father or you want to be wealthy and well-known. You cannot do both.
Radar’s Treatment for Rabies
In the 1974 *M*A*S*H* episode “Mad Dogs and Servicemen,” Radar contracts what may be an uncommon form of rabies. Margaret reads him a letter to cheer him up, mentioning two well-known songs: Gogi Grant’s “The Wayward Wind” and Bo Diddley’s “Diddy Wah Diddy.” The issue? The play is set during the Korean War, and both songs were published in 1956, a few years after the conflict.
Too Chic to Serve on the Front Lines
Not every character in *M*A*S*H* had the standard 1950s Army-approved hairstyle! Only Colonel Potter and Major Winchester’s appearances fit the military norms of the time, as the show makes clear. The others? Let’s just say that their hairstyles were a little too trendy for the laws of the day.
The Changing Backstory of Hawkeye
Throughout *M*A*S*H*, Hawkeye’s past is a bit of a crazy journey. He is from Vermont in the early episodes, and his parents are still living, along with a married sister and even a nephew. His beginnings, however, have changed over time; he is an only child from Crabapple Cove, Maine, and his mother died when he was just ten years old. The specifics appeared to change somewhat. However, Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, welcomed the adaptability and let his character develop in surprising ways.
Alda’s genius, Hawkeye’s sarcasm
The first person to win an Emmy for acting, writing, and directing the same series was Alan Alda. Did you know that? That’s a lot of talent. When Winchester gripes about Hawkeye and BJ singing in the shower in the “Comrades in Arms” episode, Hawkeye responds, “Don’t blame me, I didn’t write this stuff.” The twist is that Alan Alda “did” write it! This scene exemplifies Alda’s skill at fusing witty banter with compelling, character-driven narrative.
The Real Story of Alan Alda and Loretta Swit
It’s evident that *M*A*S*H* changed in amazing ways for viewers who enjoyed the first few seasons but didn’t enjoy the latter ones, as well as for those who feel the reverse. While the later seasons skillfully combined comedy and drama, the earlier seasons were a great comedy.
Let’s now discuss one of the most recognizable pairs in television history: Alan Alda and Loretta Swit’s portrayals of Hawkeye and Margaret Houlihan. Their friendship gives the show’s transition from comedy to drama an interesting new dimension.
Their relationship in the early seasons was one of respect for one another as accomplished medical professionals, tinged with a touch of brewing romance. But as the performance went on, their relationship deepened and changed from lighthearted banter to a more intense, emotional intimacy.
The Crucial Moment for Margaret and Hawkeye
Swit discussed their changing friendship in an interview with Yahoo: “They became loving friends.” There are various types of love, and theirs was a very intense one. Their bond developed and evolved over the course of the series. There was respect at first since Margaret believed he was a brilliant surgeon.
The Flames Between Margaret and Hawkeye
When Hawkeye and Margaret were left together overnight amid North Korean bombs in the two-part Season 6 episode “Comrades in Arms,” their love tension eventually reached a breaking point. Following an intense discussion, they gave in to their emotions and had a passionate evening together.
Loretta Swit feels that their brief affair was a significant turning point for both characters, even though it didn’t spark a long-lasting romance.
“The creators weren’t sure the audience would accept ‘Comrades in Arms,’ so Alan wrote it for us a few seasons before he actually did it,” Swit disclosed. However, it marked a sea change and spoke to the entirety of *M*A*S*H* — it had everything: laughter, tears, foolishness, and survival. People watched because of this.
The Stunning Nails of Loretta Swit
One aspect of Loretta Swit’s portrayal of Margaret Houlihan that is difficult to overlook is her manicure.
Margaret’s fingernails were more than an inch long in the “Comrades in Arms” episode! In a combat zone, no head nurse would wear nails like that, especially if they were employed by a mobile surgical unit. Although Margaret might have enjoyed glitter, it wasn’t the most practical option for a doctor during a war.
Loretta Swit’s Thoughts on the Nickname “Hot Lips”
The notorious moniker that was applied to her character, Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, was never something Loretta Swit liked.
“I understand that nicknames are a sign of affection, but to me, it felt like an insult,” Swit said in an interview with Fox News Digital. She deserved respect because she was a major in the U.S. Army and not just a piece of the body.
The “Hot Lips” nickname was phased out by Loretta Swit.
In retrospect, Loretta Swit acknowledged that she decided to phase out the “Hot Lips” moniker on her own.
She remarked, “I think my perseverance probably became very annoying.” However, I thought it was crucial for the women who were fighting for our nation. “She’s so much more than this,” I repeatedly told the writers.
The Plastic Surgery Speculation and Loretta Swit
Given the images of Loretta Swit taken today, there has been conjecture that she may be getting plastic surgery. Although she has never spoken about it publicly, several followers have observed some discernible changes over time.
“I’ve seen all *M*A*S*H* episodes a zillion times, but I just watched it in chronological order for the first time and noticed a number of little things I’d never noticed before,” posted Reddit user bettinafarichild, who made an intriguing observation. Are these things subtle, or am I simply not seeing them? For instance: In the midst of season six, Loretta Swit has plastic surgery. In addition to getting a nose job at some point—I’m not sure which season, maybe season 9—she also develops a cleft chin, which is a fairly noticeable difference.
Although it is still up for debate, this conjecture has aroused fans’ interest.
The Longest Kiss Ever Seen on Television
The longest kiss in TV history, which took place at the series finale, is a delightful fact that *M*A*S*H* aficionados may recall. In reference to the “Comrades in Arms” episode, in which Hawkeye and Margaret had a passionate evening together, their final goodbye is characterized by a long and awkward kiss that clearly unnerves their coworkers.
Looking back on this instance, Loretta Swit remembered, “It’s the longest kiss in television history.” In addition to concluding Hawkeye and Margaret’s love, this famous scene represented their entire journey.
Swit and Alan Alda, who directed the last episode, had a unique link because they were the only two key cast members to participate in both the series premiere and conclusion. Alda wrote Swit a note after the show concluded, thanking her for bringing Margaret to life and helping to give her a significant development over the course of the series.
