According to an article in The Chicago Tribune, CBS previewed the pilot episode of M*A*S*H for television critics via closed circuit television in June of 1972. Reviewing the episode for The Chicago Tribune was someone with the initials J.N. who liked what he (or she) saw. He wrote that “Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers are reasonably successful in filling the starring roles of ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce and Trapper John McIntyre” but was more impressed with the supporting cast. He wondered why CBS had scheduled the series for Sunday evenings, noting that the decision “seems a bit questionable.”

J.N. called the plot of the episode “a rather poor effort” that “seemed to [sic] much like the Hollywood never-never-land story lines that doom so many of television’s comedic attempts.” Still, the review was primarily positive. Here’s some excerpts:

I can report that it did not fare badly at all, at least not as badly as you might imagine. The sexual candor is toned down, but it has not been banished: and the operating tent humor is still there tho, if my memory of the film serves me, it is not quite so blood red.

But don’t worry abut them getting carried away. The sex stops at suggestiveness and a lot of hugging and kissing. When one of the male stars surprises a lovely nurse in the shower, he has his eyes closed and faces away from her.

[...]

But the sexual suggestiveness, tho it is probably some sort of high-water mark for a television comedy series, and the funny lines tossed about by doctors who are up to their elbows in some soldier’s spleen will not by themselves make M*A*S*H a hit.

What I think you will like is the cast, and particularly the supporting players.

[...]

Particularly delightful, at least in the pilot, were McLean Stevenson [a cousin of the senator] and Gary Burghoff, as Lt. Col Blake, the base commander, and his orderly, who anticipates Blake’s every thought. Theirs is the kind of comedy situation that might wear thin after a few shows, but in the shrot run it is a lot of fun.

[...]

Fortunately for all concerned, and particularly for you who will be watching it in the fall, the plot seems unimportant. It is the fun of getting there, whatever silly place that might be, that promises to be the series’ strong suit.

I would really like to see other early reviews of M*A*S*H based on this screening of the pilot.

Sources:
J. N. “An Early Glimpse of the Fall Season.” Chicago Tribune. 15 Jun. 1972: B26.

Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from? Feel free to post guesses in the comments section.

Name That Episode

MAGNA, a “global media forecasting and investment strategy unit” of Mediabrands (itself a “media holding company” and part of Interpublic Group) has released a report detailing the state of comedies on television today. Written by Steve Sternberg and titled, appropriately enough, “Comedies on Television,” the report notes that while the number of comedies currently on the broadcast networks in the United States is low that doesn’t mean viewers aren’t watching comedies. They’re just watching older ones.

Included in the report is the following:

What are the most popular comedies on television today?

Would you believe, the top 15 are Family Guy, George Lopez, Two and a Half Men, Home Improvement, Fresh Prince, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Family Matters, That ‘70s Show, King of Queens, Friends, Frasier, Andy Griffith, Roseanne and M*A*S*H? Of these, only two, Family Guy and Two and a Half Men, will be on a broadcast network this fall.

Helping M*A*S*H is its exposure: it currently airs on two cable channels (TV Land and The Hallmark Channel), a broadcast network (ION) and in broadcast syndication in local markets. Nevertheless, I was very surprised to see the series among the most popular comedies of 2009. The report doesn’t specify how the list was compiled but I would assume Nielsen ratings were compiled for every comedy on the air — likely the aggregate of all airings — and they were simply ranked in order of viewers or household rating.

With M*A*S*H being shown so often, even if every individual episode is only watched by a relatively small number of viewers, the total number of people watching the show is pretty high. Thanks to TVbytheNumbers for linking to the report; the actual report can be viewed here.

Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from? Feel free to post guesses in the comments section.

Name That Episode

Both images last week were identified, one very quickly. Feel free to post guesses in the comments section. Here’s today’s image. Can you name the episode it’s from?

Name That Episode