Use the comments section of this post for an open discussion of the anniversary.
Today’s the day. Forty years ago at 8PM ET on Sunday, September 17th, 1972 the premiere of M*A*S*H was broadcast on CBS. It seems like just yesterday was the 35th anniversary and the day before that the 30th. Yet here we are, celebrating four decades of M*A*S*H. Be sure to check back throughout the day for posts and updates. To help get things rolling, here’s a post the late Larry Gelbart made to the alt.tv.mash newsgroup ten years ago on September 17th, 2002 to celebrate the 30th anniversary:
Thirty years ago today, I was busy working on future scripts for the balance of
our first season.I was anxious, of course, having seen some of the show’s reviews in advance
(TIME magazine said we were the biggest disappointment of the year), I was
anxious to see what sort of ratings we’d get (ratings meaning either an
extended run or a death sentence), anxious to see what the public, my friends,
my family, my peers thought.We. who were responsible for the show, felt extremely proud of what we had
done, but we had no idea whether others would view our work as positively.How could just a few days ago turn so inexplicably into thirty years? I must
get myself a slower calendar.LG
And don’t forget to vote in the 40th Anniversary Favorite Episode Poll.
Happy Anniversary Mash! Thank you for bringing me 40 years of laughs and comraderie with my friends from the 4077 – they are all real to me.
A really good article by Yahoo on “Where they are now” – http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/m-a-s-h-where-are-they-now-slideshow/m-a-s-h-cast-photo-1347582644.html
Great then and now pix, and a tribut to those who are gon – Thank you Yahoo for remembering. And MASH – Thanks for the memories.
I love M*A*S*H! In my opinion, the best show ever to air on television. I’ve posted M*A*S*H 40th reminders on my Facebook Wall so folks know just how important today is.
Happy Anniversary, M*A*S*H! In about an hour or so I’ll be cueing up the pilot and a few other first season episodes, martini in hand(no still though!).
Happy 40(77)th anniversary!
Happy Anniversary M*A*S*H! I know that if there isn’t anything good on TV to watch, I know I can ALWAYS pop in a M*A*S*H DVD in the player. For me, this is the only show that I can watch over and over without getting board. And it’s safe to say that I’ve passed on my enjoyment of the show to my kids. They’ve asked many times – “Daddy, is M*A*S*H on?” or “Daddy, can we watch a M*A*S*H DVD?” or “Can we watch that episode about ______” .
Pink – thanks for the link. Great pictures, great articles!
So excited you liked it!!!
I would be remiss if I didn’t post. M*A*S*H changed my life, professionally and personally. Being a fan of the show inspired me to pursue a career in television, and I was encouraged by many of the writers, particularly and including LG. Having him as a mentor – well, there’s nobody better. And having the material as inspiration – all you can do is aspire to be as good as M*A*S*H, because it is otherwise impossible to try to top it.
It’s hard to believe M*A*S*H is 40. I wish many of M*A*S*H’s fallen were still with us, but I salute all of them and the show and send my personal, and public, thanks.
Even though I am just 16, M*A*S*H has been in my life for years. Every day I loved coming home from school knowing I’d get the two hour Hallmark block, doing my homework while watching the members of the 4077th do what they do best. M*A*S*H holds a special place in my heart, and it always will.
Happy 40th Anniversary, M*A*S*H!
Dalton – I was you in the 1980s. Thanks to M*A*S*H – and following my passion – I got a pretty good career out of it. I hope you follow your passion and create your own luck. It’s a great lesson.
How prophetic that Larry Gelbart wanted a slower calendar. If only we had one, and he were still with us, along with McLean Stevenson, Larry Linville, and Harry Morgan. Not to mention Edward Winter. What a great reunion show we could have!!!