Was M*A*S*H Really A Sitcom? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-20-2010, 04:40 PM

The show -- based on a 1970 movie -- followed an Army medical staff stationed in South Korea during this war, but many viewers thought it also told the story of the Vietnam War.

Marvo301 · 05-20-2010, 05:08 PM

Yes! M*A*S*H is a sitcom. But unlike other sitcoms that followed established rules and patterns, M*A*S*H rewrote the rulebook and greatly enlarged the definition of what a sitcom could be.

Dr. Thong · 05-20-2010, 05:29 PM

No.

A sitcom is something like I Love Lucy or Welcome Back, Kotter.

M*A*S*H was a show that blended elements of comedy and drama. I don't think they saw themselves as a sitcom, either.

old grouch · 05-21-2010, 12:41 PM

It was more comedic during the Trapper/Henry years, but then it started to become more serious and tackled some heavy issues. I think it was also one of the first shows ever to have one of its main characters die. But I would still consider it a sitcom.

LuLu Rogers · 05-22-2010, 01:48 AM

I've always referred to M*A*S*H as a Dramedy. Half Drama, Half Comedy.

Dr. Thong · 05-22-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I've always referred to M*A*S*H as a Dramedy. Half Drama, Half Comedy.

No offense, Lulu, but I hate the term "dramedy." It sounds like something you take to avoid getting seasick.

To me, M*A*S*H was a show. A show that combined comedy & drama, though I will concede that some of the very early shows were sitcom-ish.

LuLu Rogers · 05-22-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

No offense, Lulu, but I hate the term "dramedy." It sounds like something you take to avoid getting seasick.

To me, M*A*S*H was a show. A show that combined comedy & drama, though I will concede that some of the very early shows were sitcom-ish.

Ahh well, to each his (or her) own.

OH Nuts! · 05-23-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I've always referred to M*A*S*H as a Dramedy. Half Drama, Half Comedy.

That is how I see it as well.

Reverend Jim · 05-23-2010, 06:47 PM

treky · 05-24-2010, 01:18 AM

during the first season, it was. Then, it became, as Lauren said, a "dramadey".

lucyandethel · 05-24-2010, 01:23 AM

I think for the first few years, it was a sitcom. However, as time went on and Alan Alda took more control of the series, it evolved into much more.

Raven_mcbain · 06-25-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

during the first season, it was. Then, it became, as Lauren said, a "dramadey".

Yes it became more and more drama as it went along but it was a "dramadey" for most of it, leaning towards comedy in the earlier seasons and drama in the later seasons. I never thought of it as a sitcom, except in some episodes of the first season.

05-20-2010, 04:40 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	*Was MASH Really A Sitcom?** The show -- based on a 1970 movie -- followed an Army medical staff stationed in South Korea during this war, but many viewers thought it also told the story of the Vietnam War. Attached Images
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05-20-2010, 05:08 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Yes! MASH is a sitcom. But unlike other sitcoms that followed established rules and patterns, MASH rewrote the rulebook and greatly enlarged the definition of what a sitcom could be.
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05-20-2010, 05:29 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	No. A sitcom is something like I Love Lucy or Welcome Back, Kotter. MASH* was a show that blended elements of comedy and drama. I don't think they saw themselves as a sitcom, either.
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05-22-2010, 01:48 AM	#5
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	I've always referred to MAS*H as a Dramedy. Half Drama, Half Comedy.
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05-24-2010, 01:18 AM	#10
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	during the first season, it was. Then, it became, as Lauren said, a "dramadey".
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05-21-2010, 12:41 PM	#4
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	It was more comedic during the Trapper/Henry years, but then it started to become more serious and tackled some heavy issues. I think it was also one of the first shows ever to have one of its main characters die. But I would still consider it a sitcom.

05-23-2010, 06:47 PM	#9
Reverend Jim Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 08, 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 783

05-24-2010, 01:23 AM	#11
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I think for the first few years, it was a sitcom. However, as time went on and Alan Alda took more control of the series, it evolved into much more.