Tournament Quarterfinals: M*A*S*H vs. Taxi

[icecream]

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
3rd Round: defeated Too Close for Comfort 9-2

It was not sunny in this sitcom where Danny DeVito got his start as super mean boss Louie De Palma. Set at a cab company, Judd Hirsch stars as Alex Reiger, the only cabbie who was there full time not supplementing with another job. Marilu Henner is Elaine Nardo, Tony Danza is Tony Banta, Jeff Conaway is Bobby Wheeler, and Andy Kaufman is mechanic Latka Gravas. John Burns (Randall Carver) was dropped after season 1. Bobby was dropped at the end of season 3. Christopher Lloyd joined the cast as "Reverend" Jim Ignatowski in season 2. Danny DeVito's real wife Rhea Perlman played Zena Sherman in 6 episodes. Carol Kane recurred as Latka's eventual wife Simka Dahblitz-Gravas. Taxi aired five seasons from 1978-1983, the first four on ABC. When they cancelled at the end of season 4, NBC picked up Taxi for a 5th season pairing it with Cheers on Thursday nights. But that did not help Taxi's ratings improve as it was still two years before The Cosby Show would save the night (although I like Fame a lot better than TCS).
How it got this far
1st Round: defeated Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister 9-2
2nd Round: defeated The Wonder Years (1988) 10-1
3rd Round: defeated Newhart 11-8

[Bonniegirl]

Taxi

[AMackII]

Taxi with a win

[icecream]

Taxi defeats M*A*S*H 9-6 and will advance to the semifinals.