Tournament Round Three: M*A*S*H vs. Too Close for Comfort

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The series finale of M*A*S*H will always hold the record for highest rated non-sports telecast on TV with 106 million viewers. M*A*S*H was based on the movie, but the TV show was much better. It lasted 11 seasons from 1972-1983 on CBS. Set in the Korean War at the 4077th mash unit, starring Alan Alda as Captain Hawkeye Pierce who quickly became chief surgeon. The only other cast member who was in all 11 seasons was Loretta Swit, Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan the head nurse. Her boyfriend at the start of the show was Major Frank "Ferret Face" Burns (Larry Linville), who was from my city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Frank could not handle her getting engaged and married to someone else. At the start of season 6 Major Charles Winchester (David Ogden Stiers) replaced Major Burns. Starting cast members who left at the end of season 3 were Captain Trapper John McIntyre (Wayne Rogers) and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson). Henry was dramatically killed off in the season 3 finale, to make for a rawer show the cast did not get their scripts until right before. Replacing him was Colonel Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan), who had guest starred in a different role as a general. Replacing Trapper John was Captain B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell). Gary Burghoff played Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly the first 7 seasons, leaving early in season 8. Jamie Farr started out as recurring Corporal Max Klinger, who wore dresses and other dodges trying to get a section 8 discharge. Klinger became a regular and later replaced Radar as the company clerk. William Christopher played Father Francis Mulcahy, also starting as recurring and becoming a regular.
How it got this far
1st Round: defeated 3rd Rock from the Sun 7-6
2nd Round: defeated Bewitched 12-9

Too Close for Comfort aired three seasons on ABC. When they cancelled it moved to first-run syndication for three more seasons, total run from 1980-1986. AKA The Ted Knight Show at the end, Too Close was renewed for season 7. But when Ted Knight died during the summer of 1986, that renewal was naturally rescinded. He played cartoonist Henry Rush, who was married to Muriel (Nancy Dussault). They had two adult daughters, Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sara (Lydia Cornell). Jackie and Sara left at the end of season 5. Jm J. Bullock played dunderhead Monroe Ficus. Deena Freeman recurred in season 2 as cousin April Rush.
How it got this far
1st Round: defeated Happy Days 9-7
2nd Round: defeated Wings 10-4

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M*A*S*H defeats Too Close for Comfort 9-2 and will advance to the top 10 quarterfinals.