Roll Out: Technically not a M*A*S*H spinoff, but... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 07-10-2021, 10:59 AM

...it was produced concurrently with season two of M*A*S*H (1973-74) and was created by M*A*S*H producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart.

The show is set in World War II in France with a platoon of predominately black soldiers.

The show was cancelled after only 11 episodes.

Although this show is not a M*A*S*H spinoff, it has the same sort of humor and can almost be seen as a prequel in that it takes place during wartime. I would say it feels kind of like M*A*S*H season one, but with more polish. I think this show could have developed into something really good had it not been cancelled.

Three of the series' actors, Hilly Hicks, Ed Begley Jr., and Val Bisoglio, would later go on to make appearances on M*A*S*H.

This, the show's only Xmas episode, features a pre-Saturday Night Live Garrett Morris.

DJM77 · 07-10-2021, 02:37 PM

The link doesn't work for me.

I have an episode or two on a VHS tape.

opus · 07-10-2021, 04:01 PM

Dr. Thong, if you don’t mind, I fixed the link for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC9drE6nN0Y

1960'sTVfan · 07-10-2021, 05:40 PM

Hilly Hicks is cool and I've always liked him as an actor. Prior to Roll Out, Hilly was in a few episodes of The Bill Cosby Show sitcom playing the role of high school student Eddie Tucker.

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Dr. Thong, if you don’t mind, I fixed the link for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC9drE6nN0Y

Thank you. Appreciate the help!

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2021, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Hilly Hicks is cool and I've always liked him as an actor. Prior to Roll Out, Hilly was in a few episodes of The Bill Cosby Show sitcom playing the role of high school student Eddie Tucker.

And he would appear in seasons three and five of M*A*S*H, playing different roles.

MRPITT · 07-15-2021, 10:28 AM

I have all the episodes except 1 if anyone is looking for them. I have the source discs.

Dr. Thong · 07-15-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRPITT

I have all the episodes except 1 if anyone is looking for them. I have the source discs.

Nice!

TVFactFan · 07-25-2021, 04:21 PM

I remember a few of their faces from Good Times and the Jeffersons

Old School · 08-18-2021, 09:15 PM

I remember watching this show as a kid and liking it a lot...it was very funny.

TVFactFan · 08-18-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School

I remember watching this show as a kid and liking it a lot...it was very funny.

Because it wasnt that many options in 1973

No cable
No TV streaming
No Internet

Dr. Thong · 08-19-2021, 06:05 PM

It boggles the mind that Gelbart and Reynolds were producing this and M*A*S*H at the same time and maintained a high level of quality on both productions.

Old School · 08-31-2021, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Because it wasnt that many options in 1973

No cable
No TV streaming
No Internet

But back then with only a few channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Local Syndication Channels: KSTW 11, KCPQ 13, UHF 22) there was seemingly always something on good on TV to watch.

Today, outside of streaming, with hundreds of channels sometimes there is nothing good on TV to watch.

TVFactFan · 08-31-2021, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School

But back then with only a few channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Local Syndication Channels: KSTW 11, KCPQ 13, UHF 22) there was seemingly always something on good on TV to watch.

Today, outside of streaming, with hundreds of channels sometimes there is nothing good on TV to watch.

There was pressure to create better programming since there was only 3 channels

07-10-2021, 10:59 AM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	*Roll Out: Technically not a MASH spinoff, but...** ...it was produced concurrently with season two of MASH (1973-74) and was created by MASH producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart. The show is set in World War II in France with a platoon of predominately black soldiers. The show was cancelled after only 11 episodes. Although this show is not a MASH spinoff, it has the same sort of humor and can almost be seen as a prequel in that it takes place during wartime. I would say it feels kind of like MASH season one, but with more polish. I think this show could have developed into something really good had it not been cancelled. Three of the series' actors, Hilly Hicks, Ed Begley Jr., and Val Bisoglio, would later go on to make appearances on MAS*H. This, the show's only Xmas episode, features a pre-Saturday Night Live Garrett Morris.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

07-10-2021, 02:37 PM	#2
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,554	The link doesn't work for me. I have an episode or two on a VHS tape.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

07-10-2021, 04:01 PM	#3
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,113	Dr. Thong, if you don’t mind, I fixed the link for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC9drE6nN0Y

07-10-2021, 05:40 PM	#4
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,050	Hilly Hicks is cool and I've always liked him as an actor. Prior to Roll Out, Hilly was in a few episodes of The Bill Cosby Show sitcom playing the role of high school student Eddie Tucker.

07-15-2021, 10:28 AM	#7
MRPITT Member Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2011 Posts: 1,678	I have all the episodes except 1 if anyone is looking for them. I have the source discs.

07-25-2021, 04:21 PM	#9
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,970	I remember a few of their faces from Good Times and the Jeffersons

08-19-2021, 06:05 PM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It boggles the mind that Gelbart and Reynolds were producing this and MAS*H at the same time and maintained a high level of quality on both productions.