A few comments from a recent MASH convert - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chocoholic · 07-25-2005, 03:10 PM

I just watch on Hallmark or my local FOX station when I can. I've seen quite a few episodes from the early, middle, and later years.

Klinger, Radar, and Charles are definitely my favorite characters. I find all the characters enjoyable, even Ferret Face. My least favorite is Hawkeye. (I don't hate him. I just like the others better.)

Col. Flagg is definitely the craziest recurring character I've ever seen on a TV show.

I think the early seasons are the funniest, but the later episodes are great too.

Trapper is much funnier than BJ.

If Radar is psychic, then why didn't he predict Henry's death and try to rescue him?

I feel bad for Frank because the other guys pick on him all the time, but then he goes and says something stupid.

Frank is funnier, but I like Charles better.

I can picture the Parents' TV Council getting all up in arms over Klinger and his cross-dressing.

I gotta hand it to Klinger; he never gave up on trying to get that Section 8!

Trapper never should have left.

Potter made a better C.O. than Blake.

Radar's teddy bear and pets were cute.

I can be laughing one minute and crying the next.

MASH truly is a great TV show and I'm kicking myself hard for never watching it before.

That's all for now

AKA · 07-25-2005, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

I just watch on Hallmark or my local FOX station when I can.

Wait until you get around to getting the DVDs. Without the laugh track, the show is 1,000 times better!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

I think the early seasons are the funniest, but the later episodes are great too.

I agree. That doesn't mean I like the later episodes any less. The show just changed its tone, and that's fine with me. Eleven years worth of practical jokes and womanizing wouldn't have worked, anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

Trapper is much funnier than BJ.

Amen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

If Radar is psychic, then why didn't he predict Henry's death and try to rescue him?

His "psychic" sense seems only to give him the ability to look seconds into the future, or to know what people are going to say before they say it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

Frank is funnier, but I like Charles better.

I agree. Frank was a very funny character, but he was one-dimensional (though Larry Linville did a great job portraying him. Charles was a much more well-rounded, and though he's a snob, he's easier to like than Frank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

Potter made a better C.O. than Blake.

Blasphemy!

I love Potter, but I'm much more of a Blake fan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

MASH truly is a great TV show and I'm kicking myself hard for never watching it before.

Don't feel too bad. I didn't get into the show until a few years ago.

Mikado · 08-06-2005, 04:55 PM

I agree that Potter was a much better and certainly more believeable character...unfortunately, we seem to be in the minority here

TJL · 08-06-2005, 06:48 PM

Winning fans over one at a time.

That's the M*A*S*H way.

I'm willing to overlook your feelings about Hawkeye my dear. For now...

Adamantium · 08-07-2005, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I agree that Potter was a much better and certainly more believeable character...unfortunately, we seem to be in the minority here

I believe Potter was better at his job than Blake, but for a sitcom, I'd much rather have Henry Blake at command.

Who knows how Henry would have changed with the show. I mean, most of the characters evolved throughout the show. However, Blake, Trapper and Frank didn't. If they had stayed till the end, I wonder how they would have changed.

treky · 08-07-2005, 02:27 AM

"I think the early seasons are the funniest."

They're not only the funniest, they're the BEST!!! I wish Trapper & Henry never left, and the show didn't turn dramatic & preachy. Not that much at first, but by the last 3 seasons (after Radar left-another character who I wish had stayed) it was mostly "Oh, we're doctors, and we're so good,and we're so this and so that, and death is such a bummer, and war is hell!" Whenever it wasn't "The Alan Alda show."

GIVE ME A BREAK, ALREADY!!!

That's why I just own the first 3 seasons on DVD!

Chocoholic · 08-16-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

"I think the early seasons are the funniest."

They're not only the funniest, they're the BEST!!! I wish Trapper & Henry never left, and the show didn't turn dramatic & preachy. Not that much at first, but by the last 3 seasons (after Radar left-another character who I wish had stayed) it was mostly "Oh, we're doctors, and we're so good,and we're so this and so that, and death is such a bummer, and war is hell!" Whenever it wasn't "The Alan Alda show."

GIVE ME A BREAK, ALREADY!!!

That's why I just own the first 3 seasons on DVD!

Hallmark is showing the last couple of seasons right now and while I still like them, I do agree that the earlier episodes are the best. There are still some pretty funny moments, especially with Charles, but the preachiness and dramatics really get on my nerves. They never should have let Alan Alda take so much control over the show. I just want to tell Hawkeye to shut the

up sometimes.

Mikado · 08-16-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

I just want to tell Hawkeye to shut the

up sometimes.

Dr. Thong · 08-16-2005, 06:43 PM

[QUOTE= I just want to tell Hawkeye to shut the

up sometimes.[/QUOTE]

MAD Magazine did a parody of the show in 1982 and when "Squawkeye" went into one of his "I hate this damn war" rants, someone shouted out "Quick! Someone stop him before they start flashing the telethon numbers across the screen!"

I liked the earlier, less serious Hawkeye myself.

And Homerrific, welcome to the wonderful world of M*A*S*H. I strongly suggest renting and/or buying the DVDs and watching them in chronological order by season, preferably with the laugh track disabled. You'll get to see how the show progressed and the many changes it underwent during its 11 year run.

Lolac · 08-17-2005, 04:43 PM

I love this show until Radar left. That's why I won't be buying anymore of the season sets. I have one through seven. I love Col. Potter. He is a more believable character, though Blake made me laugh out loud. What a dolt! Still, it is one of my all time favorite shows and I never tire of watching the DVDs.

Lolac

Ohio8 · 09-10-2005, 12:09 PM

a few thoughts from my self.....

My brother prefers Trapper over B.J. too, but so what if their personalities were different. B.J. wasn't so serious that he didn't have fun and make fun (see the "Dear sigmund" episode), but he was the straight man to Hawkeye's cut-up. Col. Potter was different, mainly that he wasn't lax like Henry. as for Radar's failing to know about Henry's death beforehand, it was written that way to show that war causes death to the good guys as well!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawkeye (to B.J.): "Morning, Beauregard. How's the mint julep coming?" B.J.: "A real Louisville slugger! Taste it yourself." Hawkeye (after tasting it): "needs more julep." B.J.: "Un-huh." Hakeye: "By the by what are you using for the mint?" B.J.: "Green cough syrup." Hawkeye: "Mmmmh! antiseptic, and antebellum."

Rich3 · 01-01-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

If Radar is psychic, then why didn't he predict Henry's death and try to rescue him?

I don't think his powers were that great. Otherwise they would have made more of that fact.

It's possible he did sense some danger. But so does anyone who has a loved one travelling by air. He would have dismissed his feelings as just that.

Dr. Thong · 01-01-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich3

I don't think his powers were that great. Otherwise they would have made more of that fact.

It's possible he did sense some danger. But so does anyone who has a loved one travelling by air. He would have dismissed his feelings as just that.

This was discussed before. Radar could sense things that were just about to happen. And they were always things that he was near, like other people saying things or choppers flying in. He never had any premonitions of anything outside the camp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolac

I love Col. Potter. He is a more believable character, though Blake made me laugh out loud.

And that was precisely the point. Sherman Potter was a no-nonsense, career military man. However, he wasn't exactly by-the-book. He allowed unimportant things to slide, like Klinger wearing dresses or the occasional impromptu bonfire. He was more like a father figure.

Henry Blake, was not believable as a commanding officer. And he would have been the first to tell you he was a doctor, not a military man. He was indeed in over his head, which was part of the reason those first three seasons were so damn funny. About the only person Henry served as a father figure to was Radar.

I liked both colonels - I just prefer the comedic tone of the first three seasons. When Harry Morgan played General Steele in the third season opener, it was like getting to see the two colonels together in a way. It also served as an unwitting audition for Harry Morgan because when McLean Stevenson left, they knew who they wanted to replace him. There were no auditions for the part of Col. Potter.

Rich3 · 01-01-2006, 02:42 PM

Radar may not have sensed things outside of camp, but it's possible he may have sensed danger regarding the person who was closest to him at that point in his life.

Many people without special abilities have experienced that. It wouldn't have been unreasonable for Radar (who had an ability, though minor) to have experienced something like that.

treky · 01-01-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

This was discussed before. Radar could sense things that were just about to happen. And they were always things that he was near, like other people saying things or choppers flying in. He never had any premonitions of anything outside the camp.

And that was precisely the point. Sherman Potter was a no-nonsense, career military man. However, he wasn't exactly by-the-book. He allowed unimportant things to slide, like Klinger wearing dresses or the occasional impromptu bonfire. He was more like a father figure.

Henry Blake, was not believable as a commanding officer. And he would have been the first to tell you he was a doctor, not a military man. He was indeed in over his head, which was part of the reason those first three seasons were so damn funny. About the only person Henry served as a father figure to was Radar.

I liked both colonels - I just prefer the comedic tone of the first three seasons. When Harry Morgan played General Steele in the third season opener, it was like getting to see the two colonels together in a way. It also served as an unwitting audition for Harry Morgan because when McLean Stevenson left, they knew who they wanted to replace him. There were no auditions for the part of Col. Potter.

acctualy, that part of the show-along with many other parts of it-was realistic. They'd let things "slide" with the doctors, etc. because they simply couldn't afford to disipline them, since there was a shortage of medical personel in Korea, and more as the war dragged on.

07-25-2005, 03:10 PM	#1
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	A few comments from a recent MASH convert I just watch on Hallmark or my local FOX station when I can. I've seen quite a few episodes from the early, middle, and later years. Klinger, Radar, and Charles are definitely my favorite characters. I find all the characters enjoyable, even Ferret Face. My least favorite is Hawkeye. (I don't hate him. I just like the others better.) Col. Flagg is definitely the craziest recurring character I've ever seen on a TV show. I think the early seasons are the funniest, but the later episodes are great too. Trapper is much funnier than BJ. If Radar is psychic, then why didn't he predict Henry's death and try to rescue him? I feel bad for Frank because the other guys pick on him all the time, but then he goes and says something stupid. Frank is funnier, but I like Charles better. I can picture the Parents' TV Council getting all up in arms over Klinger and his cross-dressing. I gotta hand it to Klinger; he never gave up on trying to get that Section 8! Trapper never should have left. Potter made a better C.O. than Blake. Radar's teddy bear and pets were cute. I can be laughing one minute and crying the next. MASH truly is a great TV show and I'm kicking myself hard for never watching it before. That's all for now

08-06-2005, 06:48 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Winning fans over one at a time. That's the MAS*H way. I'm willing to overlook your feelings about Hawkeye my dear. For now...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

08-07-2005, 02:27 AM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	"I think the early seasons are the funniest." They're not only the funniest, they're the BEST!!! I wish Trapper & Henry never left, and the show didn't turn dramatic & preachy. Not that much at first, but by the last 3 seasons (after Radar left-another character who I wish had stayed) it was mostly "Oh, we're doctors, and we're so good,and we're so this and so that, and death is such a bummer, and war is hell!" Whenever it wasn't "The Alan Alda show." GIVE ME A BREAK, ALREADY!!! That's why I just own the first 3 seasons on DVD!
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-16-2005, 06:43 PM	#9
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	[QUOTE= I just want to tell Hawkeye to shut the up sometimes.[/QUOTE] MAD Magazine did a parody of the show in 1982 and when "Squawkeye" went into one of his "I hate this damn war" rants, someone shouted out "Quick! Someone stop him before they start flashing the telethon numbers across the screen!" I liked the earlier, less serious Hawkeye myself. And Homerrific, welcome to the wonderful world of MASH*. I strongly suggest renting and/or buying the DVDs and watching them in chronological order by season, preferably with the laugh track disabled. You'll get to see how the show progressed and the many changes it underwent during its 11 year run.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

08-06-2005, 04:55 PM	#3
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	I agree that Potter was a much better and certainly more believeable character...unfortunately, we seem to be in the minority here

08-17-2005, 04:43 PM	#10
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	I love this show until Radar left. That's why I won't be buying anymore of the season sets. I have one through seven. I love Col. Potter. He is a more believable character, though Blake made me laugh out loud. What a dolt! Still, it is one of my all time favorite shows and I never tire of watching the DVDs. Lolac

09-10-2005, 12:09 PM	#11
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,953	a few thoughts from my self..... My brother prefers Trapper over B.J. too, but so what if their personalities were different. B.J. wasn't so serious that he didn't have fun and make fun (see the "Dear sigmund" episode), but he was the straight man to Hawkeye's cut-up. Col. Potter was different, mainly that he wasn't lax like Henry. as for Radar's failing to know about Henry's death beforehand, it was written that way to show that war causes death to the good guys as well! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hawkeye (to B.J.): "Morning, Beauregard. How's the mint julep coming?" B.J.: "A real Louisville slugger! Taste it yourself." Hawkeye (after tasting it): "needs more julep." B.J.: "Un-huh." Hakeye: "By the by what are you using for the mint?" B.J.: "Green cough syrup." Hawkeye: "Mmmmh! antiseptic, and antebellum."

01-01-2006, 02:42 PM	#14
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 696	Radar may not have sensed things outside of camp, but it's possible he may have sensed danger regarding the person who was closest to him at that point in his life. Many people without special abilities have experienced that. It wouldn't have been unreasonable for Radar (who had an ability, though minor) to have experienced something like that.