![]() ![]() In fact, by Season 3, Peggy Herz had observed that on M*A*S*H, "There is no moralizing or sermonizing - yet it is probably the most moral show on TV." However, both the serious and the comedic sides were present throughout. In the earlier seasons, the show placed most of its emphasis on the "zany" elements, but later focused on more serious topics and character development. One significant shift observed by many viewers as the series progressed was a move from pure comedy to become far more dramatically focused. So just as the characters remained true to their medical mission in spite of the shifting fortunes of war, so the television series, while preserving its unique blend of drama and commentary with comedy, endured many changes through its 11-year run. Hence, through its 11-season run, various episodes of M*A*S*H would deal with topics like military bureaucracy, racism, gender bias, homosexuality, alcoholism, drug abuse and so on.īut MASH means "mobile" as the staff of the 4077th are constantly reminded. The dramedy format also proved to be an effective vehicle to expose and satirize pressing social issues of the times. The show's producers have, however, said that it was really broader, it was about war in general. Some viewers saw the series as a critique of the Vietnam War (still in progress when the series began), rather than the Korean War, given the attitudes of the characters. The comedic elements of the show carried a darker antiwar message. As journalist Peggy Herz put it, "They did not laugh at war. It was these coping efforts - the jocularity in the operation room, the practical jokes they played on one another and their crazy, wholly unmilitary antics which provided the show's comedic elements. It also depicted how they struggled to cope with the realities and horrors of war. So, like the movie which spawned it, the television series recounted in 26 minute weekly segments the experiences of a group of US Army doctors, nurses and medics as they worked desperately to save the lives of wounded soldiers. From the beginning, its producers had intended that it was not to be "Abbott and Costello goes to war". Some critics have referred to it as television's first "dramedy". 12.1 Final episode: "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen"Īlthough M*A*S*H has been classified as a "situation comedy", it proved to be something quite different. ![]() 4 End of the Series: "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen".Read more about the 50 greatest fictional deaths of all time, including picks from Stephen King, Hilary Mantel, David Simon, and more. And she says, “I will never watch the show again.”Īnd I said, “I don’t believe you won’t watch the show again.” I’m trying to come on with this reasonable explanation and so forth. I’m trying to explain the wastefulness of war. We’re all crying here, you’ve upset everybody.” So she says: “You made a big mistake, it was a rotten thing to do. New York was 9:30, she had seen the show. You did not have to do this.” I said, “What are you talking about?” “You did not have to kill Henry Blake.” I say, “Who’s calling?” She says, It’s so and so, I’m in New York City. It was not necessary, it’s just a little comedy show. I picked up the phone, and a woman says: “I don’t know why you did it. The phone rings, my secretary had gone home, and I had a terrible headache. I’m sitting in my office some weeks later, and it’s the night that the show is on the air.
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