Was there a reason behind it? Was it ever explained? Also, did you like Klinger better in drag or just as himself?

http://www.jockweb.com/images/Klinger2.jpg
http://www.smokeysoffice.com/Entertain/MASH/MashPhoto/Cast/Klinger2.jpg

I think Klinger stopped dressing in drag right around the time they starting grooming him (pun intended!) to replace Radar as company clerk. In Gary Burgoff's last season as Radar there were a number of episodes in which he either didn't appear at all or just talked to Klinger on the phone while Radar was ostensibly on R and R in Tokyo. In those episodes Klinger takes over Radar's duties as company clerk and it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to wear a dress while doing that job as the company clerk was often the first person visitors to the 4077th met.

Klinger stopped wearing dresses when he became company clerk after Radar went home.

I think it was just as well; the gag had played itself out by that point.

I think it was also because his kids had just started school and he had wanted to start to faze out of that. But I agree, the gag had gone on long enough. Seven years is long enough for one man to wear dresses.

Especially one who has a lot of body hair...! (LOL)

also, he wasn't always a corporal. Remember, in the last season he was promoted to sergeant?

he originally was just supossed to be in one scene in the pilot...an officer was driving along in a jeep and sees him beside the road, the officer stops and asks him where the 4077th MASH is. Klinger tells him then goes prancing off into the woods.
But, he looked so funny in drag, they made him a regular.

I always liked how he went from drig to beaseball fan!