There are two episodes that I have trouble with. And the problem is that they used stars to fill some roles. The stars being John Ritter and Ron Howard. Not to knock their acting ability. But to me they are forever Jack Tripper and Opie. John may have been on MASH before his Threes Company days. But in the ongoing reruns, I just can't get emotionally involved in the storylines. All I can think of is...There's Opie. Or...there's Jack Tripper. Does anyone else have this dilemma? Or are those "star power" shows among your classics?

Only two? You don't have a problem with the episodes with the following guest stars?

Leslie Nielsen
Shelly Long
George Wendt
Patrick Swayze
Andrew Dice Clay
Teri Garr
Pat Morita (at lease twice)
James Cromwell
Ed Begley, Jr.
Patrick Swayze
Laurence Fishburne

Since I have the ability to distinguish between the actor and the role, it doesn't bother me in the least.

I'd have to say it didn't bother me. In fact, I thought that it was pretty cool seeing Ron Howard post Opie and Pre-Richie and he did a "swell" job-so did John Ritter in his episode.

I think it's great to see some of these stars when they were so young and in some cases complete unknowns.

The episode with John Ritter which is entitled "Deal Me Out" is probably my favorite episode.

It also features recurring guest stars Alan Arabus (Sydney) Edward Winter (as Capt. Halloran, later to return as his signature M*A*S*H character Col. Flagg) and Pat Morita (who turned up in another episode as Capt. Pak - I wish he made more appearances in the series. He was a funny character.)

Deal Me Out is a classic episode. One of the best.

Originally posted by TJL
I think it's great to see some of these stars when they were so young and in some cases complete unknowns.

The episode with John Ritter which is entitled "Deal Me Out" is probably my favorite episode.

It also features recurring guest stars Alan Arabus (Sydney) Edward Winter (as Capt. Halloran, later to return as his signature M*A*S*H character Col. Flagg) and Pat Morita (who turned up in another episode as Capt. Pak - I wish he made more appearances in the series. He was a funny character.)

Deal Me Out is a classic episode. One of the best.

I've never seen "Deal Me Out" (Or maybe I did and just don't remember it! LOL!) I'll have to watch for it on FX!

Kristen

I know that other stars have served in rolls on the show. But I don't focus in on them for some reason. And I don't have a problem with the ability of these actors to act. But Ron Howard and John Ritter stand out like a sore thumb among the MASH cast. It is very difficult for me to think of them as just a supporting cast member. Maybe it is that on all the other shows Alan Alda is truly the star of the show. But on these two shows, Ron and John take away the spotlight from Alan. To me it seems anyways. And it just doesn't seem right. It's hard to explain, but that is the closest I can get. While all those other stars have "names", they blend into the background cast. I know it's odd, but there you go.