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Books and TV shows have had a special relationship for over a century now. There have been countless TV adaptations of popular books, and even if we count this year (which isn’t over), there have been over seven or eight. While there have been many brilliant books that were adapted through the years, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the TV shows are also good, and that’s why we decided to compile a list of the absolute best TV shows that were based on books. As a side note, we also decided not to include Game of Thrones and Dexter, mainly because of how they ended.

True Blood Credit – HBO

True Blood is a fantasy horror drama series created by Alan Ball. Based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries by author Charlaine Harris, the HBO series is...

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Mash is a medical war comedy-drama series created by Larry Gelbart. Based on the 1968 novel by author Richard Hooker and its 1970 film adaptation by Ring Lardner Jr., the CBS series is set during the Korean War and it revolves around a group of military doctors as they defy orders and rely on humor to deal with the heartbreaking consequences of war. Mash stars Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, and David Ogden Stiers. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, heartfelt drama, and likeable characters in Mash, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Bluestone 42 (Prime Video & Pluto TV) Credit – BBC Three

Bluestone 42 is a British sitcom series co-created by Richard Hurst and James Cary. The BBC Three series is set in Afghanistan,...

We can all agree that M*A*S*H remains one of the greatest shows ever, and even the outstanding ratings prove so. The acclaimed dramedy, developed by Larry Gelbart, premiered on CBS on September 17, 1972, and ended with a laudable finale titled "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" on February 28, 1983, which to date is the most-watched finale of any TV series. Much of the classic’s success can be attributed to the stellar cast ensemble, which originally featured Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Larry Linville, Loretta Swit, McLean Stevenson, Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher.

However, over the years, some changes were made to the original M*A*S*H cast, one of which was the replacement of Rogers after his sudden disappearance. He was popularly known for portraying "Trapper" John McIntyre in the show's first three seasons before Mike Farrell took over as B. J. Hunnicutt. Rogers was one of the...

Hollywood is paying tribute to Loretta Swit after news of her death was announced Friday.

According to a police report, the M*A*S*H star died of suspected natural causes at her home in New York City, her publicist, Harlan Boll, announced.

Swit appeared in all but 11 episodes of M*A*S*H during its 11-season run, earning two Emmys for her portrayal of Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan. Notably, she was nominated for 10 Emmys, one for every season she appeared in except season one. After her tenure in the medical war drama, she went on to star in several films, including Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), S.O.B. (1981) and BoardHeads (1998).

Alan Alda, Swit’s longtime M*A*S*H co-star, paid tribute to her on X. “Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it,” he wrote on Friday. “She...

M*A*S*H star and Hollywood icon Alan Alda says "she created" her unforgettable role while discussing Loretta Swit's impact on the series.

Per Deadline, Alda offered up a touching tribute to the late Swit on social media, noting that his fellow M*A*S*H star was "a supremely talented actor" who "deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it." Alda explained, "She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here."

Based on Richard Hooker's 1968 novel, Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, the long-running M*A*S*H television series...

Following Loretta Swit’s death at age 87 yesterday, May 30, her M*A*S*H costars are mourning her on social media, including Alan Alda, who played Capt. Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce on the comedy-drama series. “Loretta was a supremely talented actor,” Alda wrote in an X post about the Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan portrayer. “She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her two wins. But more than acting her part, she created it. She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one-joke, sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.” 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the show, also paid tribute to Swit. “I dearly loved Loretta!

Mash actress Loretta Swit died on May 30, 2025, from natural causes at the age of 97. She was at her home in New York City at the time of her death. Swit rose to prominence with her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the war comedy-drama, Mash (stylized as M*A*S*H). She was one of the four cast members who remained throughout the eleven seasons of the show, and one of the two actors who appeared both in the pilot and the finale.

With Swit’s death, there are only a handful of members of the original Mash cast who are alive today. This includes the lead of the show from day one, Alan Alda, who played surgeon Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce. Alda is still active in the industry, last appearing in Tina Fey’s recent Netflix outing, The Four Seasons.

After Loretta Swit’s death, who are the...

Alan Alda, who starred on CBS’ long-running comedy series M*A*S*H alongside Loretta Swit, spoke out Friday after the news of Swit’s death at age 87.

Swit, who played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H from 1972-1983, died at her home in New York City at age 87.

Alda played Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce also for the full run of the 14-time Emmy-winning show, which was based on Robert Altman’s 1970 feature film that starred Donald Sutherland as Hawkeye and Sally Kellerman as Hot Lips, the head nurse at the U.S. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital near the front lines of the Korean War.

“Loretta was a supremely talented actor,” he posted on X. “She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it. She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn...

Loretta Swit, who played the groundbreaking character Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the classic war comedy drama M*A*S*H, has died. As per Variety, the animal rights advocate and beloved actress passed away on Friday, May 30, at her home in New York City. Harlan Boll, Swit's representative, said the New York Police reported her time of death at 12:01 Pm due to natural causes. She was 87. The actress is also known for being on the game shows Match Game, and Pyramid.

Swit was a trailblazer, being one of the first actresses to have a prominent starring role in a production full of men. Her portrayal of the 4077th's Head Nurse and the highest-ranking female officer in the unit earned her Emmy nominations from 1974-1983 for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy. She won two of the prestigious awards in 1980 and 1982. Alongside Alan Alda, William Christopher,...

In the wake of M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit's death at the age of 87, some of her former costars have posted remembrances of the two-time Emmy winner.

Alan Alda, who played Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, celebrated Swit for her role in helping to shape "Hot Lips" into a character deeper than audiences were used to seeing on TV.

"Loretta was a supremely talented actor," the 89-year-old actor posted to X. "She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it. She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person -- with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here."

Loretta was a supremely talented actor.

Emmy-winning actress Loretta Swit, best known for her iconic portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H's 11 seasons, passed away on May 30 at the age of 87. Beyond her unforgettable role on the hit series, Swit leaves behind an incredible legacy, including an Emmy record that may never be broken.

From 1974 to 1983, Swit earned 10 consecutive Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety, or Music Series nominations for playing "Hot Lips" — the most consecutive bids ever in this category. This incredible streak also ties Swit with Rhea Perlman for the most nominations in the category overall. However, Swit’s achievement stands out because all 10 of her nominations were consecutive, while Perlman’s 10 nods for playing Carla Tortelli in Cheers were not; Perlman missed a nomination in 1992 before earning her 10th in 1993.

Swit's first of two wins came on her seventh try, but unfortunately she wasn't there to accept it.

Loretta Swit, who won two Emmys playing “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the classic CBS sitcom M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Swit died just after midnight on Friday of suspected natural causes at her New York City home, her publicist Harlan Boll says.

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A native of New Jersey, Swit trained as an actor, dancer and singer, landing early...

Larry Gelbart's TV adaptation of the 1970 Robert Altman movie "M*A*S*H" was, it should be remembered, one of the biggest hits of all time. The series debuted in 1972 and ran a chonky 256 episodes over the course of its 11 seasons. The show's finale episode, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," remains the highest-watched TV event in American history, excluding live broadcasts and Super Bowls. It was such a massive event, in fact, that there has been no attempt to cash in on, re-up, reboot, or make any follow-up shows to "M*A*S*H." Why mess with perfection? The show was an eloquent mix of slapstick gallows humor and wartime melancholy. It was so popular that it lasted longer than the actual Korean War (during which it was set).

Oh, wait. That's not accurate. The show "Trapper John, M.D.," itself a spinoff of Altman's film, aired for seven seasons from 1979-1986. It...

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Pulse is a medical drama series created by Zoe Robyn. The Netflix series is set in the extremely chaotic and busy Miami trauma center. It follows the personal and professional lives of doctors and hospital staff as they treat injured people during a destructive hurricane. Pulse stars Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates. So, if you loved the intense medical drama, swoon-worthy romance, and compelling characters in Pulse, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Pitt (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Max

The Pitt is a medical drama series created by R. Scott Gemmill. The Max series is set in the emergency ward of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, and it follows a group of doctors, nurses, and medical interns during an intense 15-hour long shift.

Four years after bringing the world the high speed comedy classic Smokey and the Bandit (and three years after their stuntman comedy Hooper and one year after Smokey and the Bandit II), director Hal Needham and star Burt Reynolds teamed up again for another high speed comedy, the goofball ensemble film The Cannonball Run. The film was a big hit, the sixth highest-grossing domestic film of 1981, and it was followed by a pair of less successful sequels, Cannonball Run II (1983) and Speed Zone (1989). Even though the follow-ups aren’t highly regarded, The Cannonball Run is still a well-known title, which is why we’ve been hearing rumblings of a remake for years. Now, industry scooper Jeff Sneider of The InSneider reports that Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is likely to be the one to finally bring The Cannonball Run back to the screen, as his production company, Bosque Ranch, is developing...

M*A*S*H remains one of the most iconic series of all time, with equally iconic episodes. The series introduced many beloved characters, like Dr. Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), Major Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit), and Maxwell Klinger (Jamie Farr). M*A*S*H combined heartbreaking and dramatic stories with humor and fun character-driven stories. The series was ahead of its time and featured memorable stories that have stood the test of time.

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Going Dutch is a comedy series created by Joel Church-Cooper. The Fox series follows Colonel Patrick Quinn, an arrogant and narcissistic man who is reassigned to the “least important Army base in the world” after an offensive rant. When he gets there, he discovers that his estranged daughter is already there. Going Dutch stars Denis Leary, Taylor Misiak, Danny Pudi, Lacy Mosley, and Hal Cumpston. So, if you loved the military humor, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Going Dutch, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Enlisted (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Fox

Enlisted is a military fiction comedy series created by Kevin Biegel. The Fox series revolves around three brothers who are soldiers in the US Army as they serve their nation by taking care of those who are left behind after the soldiers deploy.

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The Pitt is a medical drama series created by R. Scott Gemmill. The Max series is set in the emergency room at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital and follows a group of doctors and nurses working an extremely tense 15-hour shift. The Pitt stars Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine Lanasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, and Shabana Azeez. So, if you loved the medical drama, compelling storylines, and complex characters, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

This Is Going to Hurt (AMC+ & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – BBC

This Is Going to Hurt is a British medical dark comedy-drama series created by Adam Kay. Based on Kay’s 2017 nonfiction book of the same name, the AMC series follows Adam Kay as he works as a junior doctor...

The co-creator of Mash's failed sequel AfterMASH once hilariously summarized why it bombed so completely. Despite Mash having run for 11 seasons, it was still a ratings hit for CBS when it ended. This led the network to greenlight some ill-advised Mash spinoffs, with AfterMASH being the first. This saw returning characters like Potter (Harry Morgan), Klinger (Jamie Farr), and Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) working together in a Veteran's hospital after the war ended; the resulting series was a total disaster, as was the second failed spinoff, W*A*L*T*E*R.

It's easy to forget that goodwill from Mash's groundbreaking finale saw the sequel show earn solid ratings for its first season. Still, AfterMASH's ratings tanked so badly that its final episode wasn't even aired, and it's now considered one of the worst TV series ideas ever. A major issue was that it lacked a major star like Alan Alda to frontt,...

The 1972 Korean war sitcom "M*A*S*H" has become one of the most beloved television shows of all time, but it's fascinating to watch just how the series evolves over the seasons. The series was based on Robert Altman's 1970 film of the same name, which was in turn based on the novel "Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker, but it was a very different take on the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Altman absolutely hated the series and Hooker hated Hawkeye (Alan Alda), but series creator Larry Gelbart really knew what he was doing, even if he was clearly figuring it out as he went along.

Many of the characters on the show are different versions of their movie counterparts, but a few characters were created just for the series, and the first one was Corporal Maxwell Klinger, played by Jamie Farr. Klinger was an orderly who...

Only one major character appeared in every iteration of the Mash TV franchise, and it wasn't Alan Alda's Hawkeye. There is a reality where Mash was canceled after season 1 thanks to poor ratings and became a forgotten curio. Instead, it was given a second life thanks to re-runs and evolved over its first few seasons into one of the first real dramedies on television. The death of Henry Blake in Mash season 3 sealed this transformation, while the departure of Wayne Rogers' Trapper also cemented that Alda's Hawkeye was the show's true leading man.

Mash ran for 11 seasons, coming to an emotional close in 1983. Despite being such an iconic series, there have been no attempts to reboot it in the decades since. It was actually a cast vote that led to the series ending, with the ensemble wanting to close on a high - in addition to moving on to new projects,...

There a lot of lovable characters on the classic sitcom "M*A*S*H," but Father Frances Mulcahy, played by William Christopher, is easily among the most lovable. He's kind of an odd duck, an Irish Catholic priest who is wise beyond his years in many ways but is also occasionally rather childlike. Despite being a priest, he rarely harps on his comrades for any perceived moral failures, understanding that morality is complicated (especially in wartime), and people's morality is between them and their maker. He's complicated and compelling, and Christopher's performance is integral to making him feel real. It's funny, because Christopher originally completely tanked his audition, but he ended up bringing so much to Mulcahy that he and the character became somewhat inextricable. Heck, writer and co-star Alan Alda even created an episode around Christopher's bout with hepatitis in a case of art mirroring life.

There was...

A season 2 episode of Mash managed to sneak a big f-bomb right by censors and audiences - until high definition arrived. Mash ran for 11 seasons, and it's fair to say it got considerably more dramatic in its later years. The show was often at its best with a mix of comedy and drama, but it's undeniable that the early seasons were more fun. The sitcom was still finding its feet during these first few years, and while it toned down the gore and dark humor of Robert Altman's 1970 movie, it felt closer in tone to the film.

Like the latter, the series originally revolved around the antics of surgeons Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers). When Trapper's role began to get downgraded in favor of Hawkeye, Rogers was one of the first Mash actors to exit the show. Also leaving the party early was McLean Stevenson, who, despite...

When one Mash cast member refused to return for the show's spinoff, a jaw-dropping replacement idea was suggested. Mash ran for 11 seasons between 1972 and 1983 and proved groundbreaking for many reasons. From the shocking death of Henry Blake to the record-breaking finale, the impact and legacy of the show are still being felt. It was a Mash cast vote that ended the show, with the ensemble sensing during the tenth season it was time to wrap things up before the quality took a serious nosedive.

Of course, Mash was still a solid ratings success, and CBS wanted to keep it running. It was then suggested that the actors who voted to keep it on the air should front a spinoff instead. On paper, this sounded like a solid pitch, but in reality, AfterMASH was a disaster. Taking place in a Veteran's Hospital, the spinoff may have been better served as a drama instead of a sitcom,...

"Follies of the Living-Concerns of the Dead" features a ghost soldier, Weston, in a poignant and tragic journey to accept his own death. The episode leans more towards drama, exploring the emotional toll and numbness of the main characters amidst war. The ambiguous ending leaves audiences questioning whether Weston's presence was real or just a hallucination of Klinger's.

The only episode of Mash to feature an out-and-out ghost features one of the show's most tragic endings. While the CBS medical dramedy was about as far from a horror show as it's possible to get, it occasionally dipped its toes into the genre. For instance, Mash's divisive "Dreams" explored the fractured and sometimes creepy dreams of the overworked 4077th. This included some haunting imagery, like an armless Hawkeye (Alan Alda) following down a river of prosthetic limbs.

Other episodes like "Trick or Treatment" contained genre elements, but of course,...

Mash had a mysterious unseen character named Tony, voiced by two actors, adding to the show's unique charm. The long-running show wrapped up after 11 seasons with a record-breaking finale, featuring only a few original characters. Fans speculate about Tony's true identity, with some theories connecting him to the character of Private Baker.

There was one Mash character who, despite appearing in every season, was never actually seen onscreen. Many actors exited Mash during its decade-plus on the air, which had the unexpected benefit of occasionally refreshing the cast dynamic. The shock death of Henry Blake in Mash season 3 led to him being replaced by Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan), who became a beloved figure in his own right. Just like any other long-running series, the show's later seasons became increasingly reliant on recycled storylines or character arcs to keep going.

It was the right call for the CBS sitcom to wrap...

Some television shows seem to disappear almost the second they first air, while others have reasonably solid runs, but then they fade into obscurity.

Then there are the shows that smash records, revolutionize genres, give us moments we remember for decades, or otherwise achieve unprecedented success.

Here are 17 of those incredible shows.

I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

I Love Lucy was pioneering in many ways. It featured an interracial couple married in real life, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Lucy's unique brand of physical humor drew everyone in.

Iconic moments from the CBS show, like Season 1 Episode 30: Lucy Does a TV Commercial, also called the Vitameatavegimen episode, have become permanent parts of American culture.

Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch for So Many Reasons

We all remember seeing that and other remarkable moments like Lucy working at a candy factory, stomping grapes, or giving birth to Ricky.

Jamie Farr's role as Corporal Klinger in M*A*S*H evolved from a bit character to a fan favorite over 11 seasons. Klinger's transition from cross-dressing to more traditional army attire happened slowly following Colonel Potter's introduction and Klinger's own eventual promotion to sergeant. The decision for Klinger to stop wearing dresses was a mix of character development and societal pressure, with actor Jamie Farr pushing for the change.

A landmark television series that set the tone for decades to come, M*A*S*H has maintained a rabid fanbase even decades after its release. This is thanks to a colorful cast that included the wisecracking surgeon Hawkeye Pierce, the strict head nurse Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, and the eccentric corpsman Corporal Maxwell Klinger. Fans of the series grew up with many of these characters, seeing them evolve and face all sorts of challenges and triumphs.

Sometimes,...

Quick Links Burghoff Needed A Break From Radar and to Spend Time With His Family Burghoff's Exit From the Show Radar Returned Gary Burghoff left M*A*S*H to spend time with his family after feeling burned out from playing Radar. Burghoff's final episode in M*A*S*H, titled "Good Bye, Radar," is considered one of the best in the series. Despite leaving M*A*S*H, Burghoff returned to reprise his role as Radar in the spin-off series "After M*A*S*H" for two episodes.

M*A*S*H is one of the most iconic and critically acclaimed television shows. Airing from 1972 to 1983, it is a spin-off adaptation of the 1970 film M*A*S*H, which in turn was an adaptation of the 1968 novel Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by author Richard Hooker. The series follows a team of doctors and support staff stationed...

Loretta Swit's absence in Mash's best episode "The Interview" was due to her commitment to a play. Swit never missed another episode of the show after "The Interview." Swit eventually appeared in a sequel to "The Interview" in Mash season 7, correcting Margaret's missing interview.

One key Mash character is missing from the show's most acclaimed episode, but they had a great excuse. Despite becoming one of the biggest shows on television during the 1970s, many actors exited Mash during the early years. It quickly became clear that Alan Alda's Hawkeye was the Mvp, but the attention the showrunners paid to him led to cast members like Wayne Rogers and McLean Stevenson feeling like their characters were pushed aside. Stevenson's decision to leave led to Mash killing Herny Blake in season 3's finale, which became a watershed moment in television.

While it wasn't intended to be that way,...

Richard Hornberger, the inspiration behind M*A*S*H*, detested the show due to financial issues and its anti-war sentiment. Despite his hatred, Hornberger continued to write and practice medicine, leaving a lasting legacy on the iconic sitcom. M*A*S*H* evolved from a comedy to an anti-war message, causing Hornberger to distance himself from the franchise.

Despite being off the air for 40 years, M*A*S*H* remains one of the most popular TV sitcoms ever produced. The show won 14 Primetime Emmys and eight Golden Globe Awards during its 11-season run from 1972 to 1983, firmly cementing its place in the annals of all-time great television. Of course, it's easy to assume the movie is an adaptation of the hit 1970 Robert Altman film of the same name. In reality, both versions are adapted from the novel Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker.

Richard Hooker is the pen name of Hiester Richard Hornberger,...

The original Mash ended with the most-watched scripted TV episode ever, and spawned unsuccessful spinoffs that struggled to find an audience. AfterMASH, the sequel series, faced challenges with its tone and character absences, ultimately struggling against The A-Team in ratings. AfterMASH's final episode "Wet Feet" was elusive in the US for decades, but was finally made available online in 2016, showing potential despite its flaws.

The Mash franchise ended on an abrupt note, and not only did its final episode never air in America, but it was near impossible to watch for decades. It feels odd labeling Mash as a franchise, but the descriptor fits. There is the 1970 Robert Altman movie, which was a good deal darker and more cynical than the eventual TV series. CBS' Mash has left a large cultural footprint, from its memorable cast of characters to its then-unique blending of comedy and drama.

Mash ran for 11 seasons in total,...

The second season of AfterMASH bombed against The A-Team and lost in the ratings battle. The failure of AfterMASH marked the end of the Mash franchise spinoffs. Attempting to revive Mash would not work as the original had a unique impact on television.

The Mash franchise was killed off by the success of a major 1980s series - which was for the best. Much has been written about how big of an impact Mash had on television. Putting aside its great gags and ensemble cast, it took big creative swings, such as killing off Henry Blake during the third season. Killing off a major character was a big no-no during the 1970s, but not only did the medical sitcom take the risk - which received major backlash - but it went on to pioneer blending comedy with drama.

Mash ran for 11 seasons in total, but of course, any show that...

Gary Burghoff's Radar superhero script was rejected, but it was later partially recycled in Mash season 8. Burghoff believes "Radar's Dream" was rejected because he was viewed as too young and naive to write and direct. Mash episode "Dreams" was divisive and reused parts of Burghoff's dream concept.

Gary Burghoff once had a great idea for a Radar-focused episode of Mash that turned the character into a superhero, and a later outing recycled part of his idea. As is often pointed out in Mash trivia, Burghoff's Radar is the only actor from the movie to return for the show. Of course, the Robert Altman film was darker and more adult than the CBS sitcom was allowed to be. This can be reflected in the changes made to Radar himself; in the movie, he's a more cynical, opportunistic figure, while in the series, he's sweet and naive.

Burghoff's boyish looks allowed...

The classic wartime sitcom series "M*A*S*H" was entirely fictional, but it was often inspired by real people and events. Heck, Alan Alda, who starred as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce and also wrote, directed, and served as a consultant on the series, even served as an Army officer in Korea shortly after the war — though he was not in a medical unit. Not only that but Jamie Farr, who played the eccentric yet lovable Corporal Klinger, served during the Korean War and even wore his own dog tags on the show. Both of them helped bring some authenticity, but even then it was important for the series' head honchos to get a better understanding of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (Mash) life, which meant visiting the United States Army's 8055th, still stationed in South Korea at the time.

In the DVD commentary for "M*A*S*H" (via the book "TV's M...

M*A*S*H lasted three times longer than the Korean War, had iconic moments, and was the most-watched TV finale in history. The show tackled serious war issues, including racism and anti-war sentiment, but it was an episode about sex that got censored. CBS refused to air an episode where a character had relationships with two nurses, highlighting network censorship in the '70s and '80s.

M*A*S*H was a smash hit for CBS from 1972-1983. The show followed the 4077th, a makeshift hospital during the Korean War. The show was billed as a sitcom but did have multiple episodes that dealt with more serious issues of war. It was also one of the network's most popular shows of all time.

Even with its rave reviews, the show was still subject to network meddling. Television is a fickle landscape and network TV has always been filled with cultural minefields.

The 2023 Mash reunion featured separate interviews with the cast members, which made it feel like a documentary-style program rather than a true reunion. The reunion didn't delve deep into Mash's storytelling, only providing generic stories rather than new and interesting insights. Despite its flaws, the Mash reunion was a privilege to witness, especially considering that it may be the last time the cast reunites on screen to discuss the beloved show.

Some elements of Mash's new reunion worked, while others were ultimately let-downs. The announcement that the legendary sitcom would ring the new year with a special was met with great enthusiasm for several reasons. For starters, the news came out of nowhere and was a welcome development, considering how beloved the series was. Secondly, it had been decades since the last Mash reunion, which took place back in 2002 for the show's 30th anniversary. Some of the cast had gathered in other venues,...

The recently-released Mash reunion lacked the magic of previous reunions due to the actors doing their interviews separately, preventing interactions among the cast members. The format of the 2023 special focused more on the history of Mash, rather than fun anecdotes and stories shared by the actors. Despite its shortcomings, the 2023 Mash reunion was still a good project, considering the age of the cast members and its significance as a milestone year for the show.

The Mash reunion co-executive producer John Scheinfeld reveals the harsh reality of doing the special. In celebration of its legendary finale's 40th anniversary, the surviving cast members of the groundbreaking war series came together for a two-hour look back at their time on the show. As exciting as it was, however, some production secrets somehow tone down the magic of the recently-released Mash reunion.

Speaking to TV Line, Scheinfeld opens up about how the Mash project came to be,...

Long before streaming, DVRs, and even the popularity of VCRs, there were certain shows considered appointment television. Perhaps no other series fits the description more than M*A*S*H. Fox celebrated the landmark sitcom with M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a reunion special executive-produced by John Scheinfeld and Andy Kaplan. The two-hour show delved into what made the beloved series about the 4077th Medical Corps on the front lines of the Korean War strike such a cord. Many of the stars and important figures from M*A*S*H reflect on its historic 11-season run, 40 years after the series finale, still the most-watched telecast in history. Among them Alan Alda (Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre) and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips...

On Monday, Jan. 1, M*A*S*H fans are invited to ring in the new year with M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a two-hour special airing on Fox and featuring new interviews with series vets Alan Alda (who played Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger) and Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), as well as the late Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre) and William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy).

M*A*S*H executive producers Gene Reynolds and...

Gary Burghoff was so unhappy with how his final scene looked for M*A*S*H that he insisted on having it refilmed.

Per Entertainment Weekly, a clip was released from the upcoming M*A*S*H reunion special, M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, with Burghoff addressing his role as Radar O'Reilly. He reflected on filming the very last scene for his character's exit, and at the time, the actor thought it may be best for him to let the tears flow. After hating how he looked while crying as the cahracter, however, Burghoff requested to shoot the scene again, and the director was happy to oblige.

Related M*A*S*H Travels Through Time and Space with the Avengers In their latest spotlight on comics showing up in outside media, Csbg shows how two Avengers issues traveled through time and space in a Mash episode.

"I said to myself,...

The upcoming Mash reunion will feature a never-before-seen interview with Wayne Rogers, the actor who played Trapper John McIntyre. Wayne Rogers left the show due to being unhappy with his character's role, but remained tied to the series and participated in a reunion in the early 2000s. Rogers' inclusion in the reunion separates it from a previous impromptu reunion and offers new content from other actors who were on the show.

The upcoming Mash special reunion will debut a never-before-seen interview with Wayne Rogers — the actor who played Trapper John McIntyre. For the 40th anniversary of its iconic finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," Fox is re-assembling all the surviving cast of the groundbreaking war comedy/drama in a special two-hour broadcast that will air on Fox on January 1. Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), and Loretta Swit (Maj.

AfterMASH, the Mash sequel series, did not feature some notable characters like Hawkeye, Bj, and Trapper due to different reasons. Hawkeye's absence was explained by him returning to his hometown to practice medicine, while Bj couldn't easily be involved because of his family commitments. Trapper's post-Korea life was explored in the semi-spin-off Trapper John M.D., making it logical for him not to appear in AfterMASH.

Several notable personnel from the 4077 didn't appear in the Mash sequel series, AfterMASH, for different reasons. After 11 years on the air, the legendary war comedy finally wrapped up its run with the feature-length iconic finale, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen." It gave each prominent character their respective ending as it marked the end of their stint in Korea. Despite the constant complaints about being forced to be in the middle of the war, Alan Alda's Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce and his cohorts' departure from...

For a television series that ranked in the Nielsen ratings' top ten for nine of its 11 seasons, "M*A*S*H" experienced a surprising amount of cast turnover. McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake) and Wayne Rogers (Trapper John McIntyre) departed after the third season, and these were huge losses (the manner in which Stevenson was written out of the show angered fans and CBS executives alike). But the producers deftly assuaged viewers concerns by promoting Jamie Farr's cross-dressing Corporal Klinger and hiring Harry Morgan to play the gruff but fair Colonel Sherman T. Potter.

The next significant loss arrived at the end of the fifth season, when Larry Linville exited the series. This left the "M*A*S*H" team with the difficult task of finding an actor capable of playing a pompous walking bulls-eye on par with Linville's Frank Burns. Some of the show's biggest laughs erupted from the company's gleeful tormenting of the humorless surgeon.

Mash's upcoming reunion will celebrate the legacy of the series and reunite the surviving cast, who previously came together in 2019. The series effectively blended humor and serious topics, serving as a commentary on the horrors of war. The reunion is significant as it commemorates the 40th anniversary of the iconic finale and allows fans to see the cast together with visuals and never-before-seen content from the series.

Mash's upcoming reunion is exciting, but the surviving cast came already together just five years ago. CBS' groundbreaking war comedy-drama is re-assembling its remaining actors for a special that will celebrate the legacy of the series. Running for 11 years, Mash is widely regarded as one of, if not the best in its genre, effectively marrying humor with more serious topics. It functioned as a commentary on the horrors of war, whether intentional or not, all while providing great and consistent entertainment throughout...

Several original cast members of the classic TV series M*A*S*H will reunite once again for an all-new television special.

Per TVLine, it was announced that a two-hour special reuniting M*A*S*H cast members while looking back at the hit show will air on Fox on Jan. 1, 2024. The special will include all-new interviews with Alan Alda (Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce) along with several other surviving cast members. That includes Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt), Gary Burghoff (Walter "Radar" O'Reilly), Jamie Farr (Maxwell Q. "Max" Klinger), and Loretta Swit (Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan). Executive producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe will also be included.

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Fox is touting the special as a "definitive" look into the history of M*A*S*H.

Few shows in the history of broadcast television can ever claim they were as successful as "M*A*S*H." Based on Richard Hooker's book "Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors," and the Robert Altman film that previously adapted that same book, the series aired for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983 totaling a whopping 256 episodes. Its series finale remains the most-watched finale of any TV series. Unfortunately, the spin-off "AfterMASH" couldn't recapture that same magic — and the show's creator thinks he knows why.

The spin-off series only lasted two seasons, with the second season having its run cut short after the ratings plummeted. It was a short-lived experiment that failed to live up to its predecessor. In "TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book," author Ed Solomonson spoke with "AfterMASH" co-creator Larry Gelbart, who also developed the original show. When asked about the spin-off, Gelbart first...

Mash's upcoming reunion will remind us of the show's best years, with a core ensemble that propelled it to greater heights. The reunion will bring together the surviving cast members who starred in Mash's best years, each playing fully fleshed-out characters. Harry Morgan's role as Col. Potter brought stability and heartwarming moments to the series, and his absence will be felt in the reunion.

Mash's upcoming reunion will function as a reminder of what the show's best years were. The groundbreaking war comedy/drama ran for 11 great seasons, and when it ended, it was still massively popular. Both a commercial and critical success for CBS, earning 100 Emmy Awards nominations and winning 14, Mash effectively married comedy and drama, as the 4077 Mash unit made the best of their extremely horrific situation trying to save as many lives as during the Korean War. Alan Alda's Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce spearheaded the operation,...

The iconic M*A*S*H TV series is being celebrated on New Years' Day. Fox will air an all-new special, M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, celebrating the groundbreaking comedy with new cast interviews and more. The series aired on CBS for 11 seasons between 1972 and 1983.

Starring Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, and David Ogden Stiers, the series followed those working at the 4077th, a U.S. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.

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M*A*S*H reunion happening after 40 years, titled "The Comedy That Changed Television," airing on January 1st on Fox. The show celebrates the iconic sitcom's achievements through interviews with surviving cast members and executive producers. Special pays tribute to deceased cast and crew through clips, archival interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

A M*A*S*H reunion is happening on Fox, with the network announcing that the original cast will get together after 40 years for what has been described as the “definitive” reflection on the beloved comedy-drama series. The reunion special, titled M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, is now all set to air in the new year on January 1st, and promises to bring together Alan Alda, Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, and more (via TV Line).

“M*A*S*H is among the most iconic sitcoms in the annals of television history,” said Dan Harrison, Fox’s EVP of Program Planning & Content Strategy, in a statement.