i think henry blake was alot funnier plus he had a serious side too. sherm potter was a nice replacement but i think henry made the show.:)

Potter Is My Favorite Actor On M*A*S*H Potter Always
Makes Me Laugh ON M*A*S*H.

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Aaron The News Repoter

I like Potter better.

Hmm. That's a good question.
Both actors created two very unique characters, each creating their own style as commander of the 4077th.
Personally, I prefer Henry Blake. McLean Stevenson was a very funny comic actor.

Henry was funny, but I always liked Col. Potter better. He just seemed more like a real person while Henry seemed like a caricature sometimes. I liked them both, though.

Along with the addition of BJ, Potter brought a more serious and grounded dramatic presence to the show.

Though he had comedic scenes throughout, it was a much more an authoritative role. This tended to give the show a more serious air to it, and in my opinion, less fun.

Henry was a screw up -like Hawk and Trapp- and he had a serious side too. But his character was just overall more humorous and loveable.

SO when the moment was grave, it was much more effective in light of this with Henry. (like when Hawkeye's childhood pal dies on the operating table, one example).

With Potter there became an overall presence of drama and you always expected Potter to have a somber, reflective scene. And the humor suffered.

It became more toss away jokes, not as many real laughs, and a less fun atmoshere.

(this is also true of the addition of Charles, Radar gone, Klinger being the clerk)

Hands down, Colonel Potter! From the time I was little watching MASH with my dad, I always seemed to see the Potter episodes. It wasn't until a few years ago on FX that I even realized exactly who Henry was!! (Same for Trapper and Frank, obviously).

Kristen

I like Henry Blake more. I liked his relationship to Radar more than Radar's relationship to Potter. I wish Blake was on the show at least a season with BJ.

henry blake brought a relief of authority being able to be one of the boys. but he could be the leader when he had to be. sherman gave his life to the army and in a sense gave mildred up for the army. henry left a wife and family behind who wanted him back and he wanted to be back. sherman was happy in fatigues.
henry had a depth that sherman could not concieve.

I liked both Henry and Sherman, both were funny in their own way, the same goes for Trapper/B.J. and Frank/Charles.

By the way, my avatar is of Loretta Swit from the 30th MASH Reunion Special last May. She looks great for her age!

Blake by a fraction was the better of the two colonels. A rare dramatic moment indeed rang louder with Blake in the role than with Potter (who was mstly always dramatic). And Blake more fuunny moments than the next CO. And Blake's interaction with Radar beat Potter's own with the little fella by far. But Potter was an excessively close second just the same.

I think Harry Morgan is an American Treasure, but the Sherm Potter character just doesn't compare to Henry's early-years non-stop comedy. It's similar to Mike Farrell being a better actor than Wayne Rogers, but the Trapper character was more enjoyable (at least to me) than BJ Honneycut.

Originally posted by FBMcFLY
I think Harry Morgan is an American Treasure, but the Sherm Potter character just doesn't compare to Henry's early-years non-stop comedy. It's similar to Mike Farrell being a better actor than Wayne Rogers, but the Trapper character was more enjoyable (at least to me) than BJ Honneycut. i couldnt agree more. imo trapper out did bj hands down.

Originally posted by bandito
i think henry blake was alot funnier plus he had a serious side too. sherm potter was a nice replacement but i think henry made the show.:)

Although I did like Potter, Blake was my favorite. It's expected though. You get used to the original and it's hard to accept a character change.

:typing:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Heidi Dawn
[B]I liked both Henry and Sherman, both were funny in their own way, the same goes for Trapper/B.J. and Frank/Charles.
QUOTE]

I agree with you. It took a while to get used to the changes when they happened, but each change openned a whole new string of possible story lines. I don't think the show would have lasted as long if it had the originals from day one to the end. The constant repetition of the same jokes or similar jokes would have gotten stale eventually. How many ways can you say 'ferret face' and how many 'secret' rendezvous can you cook up, and once Margaret got married, what was Frank going to do?

Henry Blake was better