Larry Linville

M * A * S * H. .. the comedy of the '70s (and sometimes dramatic), was the greatest sitcom, for 5 years, nobody was looking. Yes, there were fans of basic listening religiously every week, but generally ignored the masses of the series because of its theme of war and sometimes serious subject. The series was created in 1972 by M * A * S * H writer H. Richard Hornberger (Hornberger used the pseudonym Richard Hooker as the author) after the successful 1968 film of the same name. Although ratings were small, CBS could not deny the fact that this series was the quality of his scripts and actors alike. Today, a show like M * A * S * H would never make it through the first year. Back in the day, television networks has led to a series of mature and find its audience (it's a good thing CBS M * A * S * H 11 years to grow!)

When M * A * S * H was going through its growing pains (1972-1977) and the production of its best years of creativity, I was too young to see or appreciate the series. Thankfully, after finally showing in 1983, he was very strong demand for the show (though aging, like fine wine) that you could see the show three, four or five times a day on different channels (in the 80s , new cable channels sprang up everywhere). Consequently, because of this exposure, I've become a M * A * S * H addict. I fell in love with the characters, stories, the capacity in which it was filmed (M * A * S * H was preserved on film quality of the film). The creators of M * A * S * H were the first to expose viewers to the horror and the side light of the war, especially not in that order. The scenes in the operating room were not aware of a laugh track (producers were aware of the respect, dignity and holiness necessary for those injured in previous wars). There were jokes written DIALOGUE during these scenes and give credit to the authors for the public to feel a mixture of emotions during these scenes ... sorrow for the injured ... for surgeons and nurses to find the humor in light of the horrible conditions .. just to keep from sinking into madness. These scenes from the OR, in my opinion, is M * A * S * H, only a sitcom to a series of social significance, allowing generations of people to think about war ... and what price we all pay for it.

The humor of M * A * S * H, combined with the highest rate players and write, given the captive audience for 11 years. It's comedy and unpredictability of M * A * S * H series has given its longevity. Persons under 30 may not know the incredible popularity Avalanche M * A * S * H had inherited from the last years of his race. M * A * S * H is still valid, and most likel will always be the absolute record of hearing viewers (106 miliion) for its last episode "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen". I feel a certain satisfaction knowing that my favorite show still holds the record which will probably never be eclipsed.

Thank you Alan Alda: One of the most underrated actors of our time ... Paper Lion, same time next year are two of my favorite movies of my childhood ... Thank you for not giving up M * A * S * H at a time when you do not see a clear future for the show. You ARE M * A * S * H and the reason for its existence.

Thank you McLean Stevenson: The first 3 seasons that you were Lt. Col. Henry Blake was the funniest of times .. and the saddest, with the untimely death of your character, controversial by some, but in vivid terms to enable the characters death is written in the script and announced by the radar in the operating room. Heavy television at a time when the object of such personal tragedy has never been discussed in the comedies.

Thank you Gary Burghoff: The most endearing character in the history of television, Radar O'Reilly. You've been in the film, in 1968, such as radar and no one can reproduce the wonderful innocence and freshness that was so necessary in a military camp surrounded by "know everything in time of war" burnout. The radar was also a pioneer. He accepted.