Comments on: Making M*A*S*H http://www.mash4077tv.com Tue, 22 May 2012 18:24:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mark O'Neill http://www.mash4077tv.com/articles/makingmash/#comment-41616 Mark O'Neill Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:15:00 +0000 http://www.finest-kind.net/wp/?page_id=96#comment-41616 Over a ten year period, my friend and I co-authored a book about MASH. Quite naive at first, we had a hard time convincing a minority of over 45 MASH alumni that we were doing it "as fans...for fans". I won't mention the name of the book, specifically, as I'm not trying to promote myself. But, Larry Gelbart was almost a third author to the book, as he generously gave us a foreword, endless commentary, a "where would the characters be now" piece, a new "Dear Son" letter, and he actually wrote "new" interview segments/dialogue for his classic episode, The Interview, where Henry, Trapper, Hot Lips and Flagg were all interviewed...as though they appeared in that episode. I still want to get a copy of the book to Burt Metcalfe, who's first response to me was that he didn't think there was enough info for another book. Ours is as thick as an almanac, and packed with commenatry from guest stars, writers, most of the cast and even William Self...most of which was not in previous books (not to take away from those books, but ours was different). Anyway, there's alot more, and I really don't have anywhere to share my own MASH thoughts, but online, so thanks for humoring me. But I'm really writing for two reasons; 1) It would really be great to not only see Making MASH on DVD (I saw it when it came out), but it would also be great if someone could convince Stanford Tischler to release all of his original blooper reels to someone who could get permission from the cast for them to be put on DVD with Making MASH. I contacted Mr Tischler for the book, and urged him to somehow share those bloopers with the world. Maybe the cast doesn't want them shown, I don't know. They are just fun to watch. 2) I have searched for YEARS for a single publicity photo of the outdoor MASH set. With the exception of anything in previous books, and one shot on Flickr (that is from 1980 and too bright), I have yet to find even one good photo of the camp. I've had to settle for screen captures from DVDs, but I KNOW there must be photos out there. If anyone knows of even one, please let me know. For the book, we had to rely on current photos of stars and guest stars, usually supplied by them, as Fox wanted a huge chunk of money to first "locate" a photo, but then for use of it. Anyway, just a boring Friday night, here, and I'm on a MASH kick. As I searched for a photo of the camp, online (to no avail), I came across this site and thought I'd jump in the fray. By the way and as an aside; Richard Lee Sung, who first appeared in Officer of the Day ("This is me!") and went on to sculpt Col. Potter's bust and much more, is a wonderful, kind, generous man who still pretty much looks the same. He didn't think anyone remembered him from the show, and I assured him he was quite wrong and that, among MASH fans, he was legendary ("Colonel go for laugh, no get"). He was very humbled and appreciative of that, and I've had the great pleasure of meeting him. I just had to share what a nice guy he is. If I may conclude my ramble with one last tidbit; I'm just a small town MASH fan. Early on, when doing the book, it was surreal when people I grew up watching began replying to me. One night, one of the regulars who is a SUPER nice guy called me, when I had MASH on, and I muted the sound. But, as he was talking to me....it was BEYOND surreal to watch his character on screen, with his lips moving, while I was actually hearing him speak to me on the phone. Very odd experience. Ok, thanks for letting me share and ramble. Mark Over a ten year period, my friend and I co-authored a book about MASH. Quite naive at first, we had a hard time convincing a minority of over 45 MASH alumni that we were doing it “as fans…for fans”. I won’t mention the name of the book, specifically, as I’m not trying to promote myself. But, Larry Gelbart was almost a third author to the book, as he generously gave us a foreword, endless commentary, a “where would the characters be now” piece, a new “Dear Son” letter, and he actually wrote “new” interview segments/dialogue for his classic episode, The Interview, where Henry, Trapper, Hot Lips and Flagg were all interviewed…as though they appeared in that episode. I still want to get a copy of the book to Burt Metcalfe, who’s first response to me was that he didn’t think there was enough info for another book. Ours is as thick as an almanac, and packed with commenatry from guest stars, writers, most of the cast and even William Self…most of which was not in previous books (not to take away from those books, but ours was different).

Anyway, there’s alot more, and I really don’t have anywhere to share my own MASH thoughts, but online, so thanks for humoring me. But I’m really writing for two reasons; 1) It would really be great to not only see Making MASH on DVD (I saw it when it came out), but it would also be great if someone could convince Stanford Tischler to release all of his original blooper reels to someone who could get permission from the cast for them to be put on DVD with Making MASH. I contacted Mr Tischler for the book, and urged him to somehow share those bloopers with the world. Maybe the cast doesn’t want them shown, I don’t know. They are just fun to watch. 2) I have searched for YEARS for a single publicity photo of the outdoor MASH set. With the exception of anything in previous books, and one shot on Flickr (that is from 1980 and too bright), I have yet to find even one good photo of the camp. I’ve had to settle for screen captures from DVDs, but I KNOW there must be photos out there. If anyone knows of even one, please let me know. For the book, we had to rely on current photos of stars and guest stars, usually supplied by them, as Fox wanted a huge chunk of money to first “locate” a photo, but then for use of it.

Anyway, just a boring Friday night, here, and I’m on a MASH kick. As I searched for a photo of the camp, online (to no avail), I came across this site and thought I’d jump in the fray. By the way and as an aside; Richard Lee Sung, who first appeared in Officer of the Day (“This is me!”) and went on to sculpt Col. Potter’s bust and much more, is a wonderful, kind, generous man who still pretty much looks the same. He didn’t think anyone remembered him from the show, and I assured him he was quite wrong and that, among MASH fans, he was legendary (“Colonel go for laugh, no get”). He was very humbled and appreciative of that, and I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting him. I just had to share what a nice guy he is.

If I may conclude my ramble with one last tidbit; I’m just a small town MASH fan. Early on, when doing the book, it was surreal when people I grew up watching began replying to me. One night, one of the regulars who is a SUPER nice guy called me, when I had MASH on, and I muted the sound. But, as he was talking to me….it was BEYOND surreal to watch his character on screen, with his lips moving, while I was actually hearing him speak to me on the phone. Very odd experience. Ok, thanks for letting me share and ramble. Mark

]]> By: Saundra McMillan http://www.mash4077tv.com/articles/makingmash/#comment-38615 Saundra McMillan Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:15:12 +0000 http://www.finest-kind.net/wp/?page_id=96#comment-38615 Dino71 and Sunday: My dissertation is available at USC: https://library.usc.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=yIcSWpDMdN/DOHENY/229700175/9 Also, should be able to order a copy from Ann Arbor repository. I think only abstracts are available online. Have been meaning to donate a copy and my research interviews and materials to my undergrad university, University of Missouri, since I retired back here; will do so soon and request that they provide interlibrary loan. Hope it will work; will post here if they will. Re contacting writers: try contacting WGA to get the agents' names and numbers for folks still around. Take writers' names from your favorite episodes. In case you didn't know, sadly, Larry Gelbart died not long ago. Mike Hirsh: Hi! Sorry, it never worked out at CSULB. Crazy department. I retired as soon as I could and have been restoring land and building my earth-sheltered dream home. . .and writing a bit. Dino71 and Sunday:
My dissertation is available at USC: https://library.usc.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=yIcSWpDMdN/DOHENY/229700175/9
Also, should be able to order a copy from Ann Arbor repository. I think only abstracts are available online.
Have been meaning to donate a copy and my research interviews and materials to my undergrad university, University of Missouri, since I retired back here; will do so soon and request that they provide interlibrary loan. Hope it will work; will post here if they will.
Re contacting writers: try contacting WGA to get the agents’ names and numbers for folks still around. Take writers’ names from your favorite episodes. In case you didn’t know, sadly, Larry Gelbart died not long ago.

Mike Hirsh:
Hi! Sorry, it never worked out at CSULB. Crazy department. I retired as soon as I could and have been restoring land and building my earth-sheltered dream home. . .and writing a bit.

]]> By: sunday http://www.mash4077tv.com/articles/makingmash/#comment-34721 sunday Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:39:05 +0000 http://www.finest-kind.net/wp/?page_id=96#comment-34721 Saundra - I might need to contact you, I'm doing a chapter on my thesis on masculinity and have a chapter on M*A*S*H. I'll need to hunt down your dissertation, cheers! If you fancy an academic exchange on the subject please don't hesitate to shout out - c.patrick2@lancaster.ac.uk cheers! Will hunt down your dissertation! Hopefully I'll manage to get it here in England. sunday Saundra – I might need to contact you, I’m doing a chapter on my thesis on masculinity and have a chapter on M*A*S*H. I’ll need to hunt down your dissertation, cheers! If you fancy an academic exchange on the subject please don’t hesitate to shout out – c.patrick2@lancaster.ac.uk

cheers! Will hunt down your dissertation! Hopefully I’ll manage to get it here in England.

sunday

]]> By: sunday http://www.mash4077tv.com/articles/makingmash/#comment-34720 sunday Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:36:20 +0000 http://www.finest-kind.net/wp/?page_id=96#comment-34720 Hi, I'm doing my PhD and one of my chapters is on M*A*S*H focusing on Hawkeye, Winchester and Klinger. I've had a really hard time finding this documentary, cheers for the link for youtube, as the Museum of Broadcast Communications version won't play! If anyone has any ideas on how to get a hold of some of the writing crew please don't hesitate to shout out! cheers. sunday Hi, I’m doing my PhD and one of my chapters is on M*A*S*H focusing on Hawkeye, Winchester and Klinger. I’ve had a really hard time finding this documentary, cheers for the link for youtube, as the Museum of Broadcast Communications version won’t play!

If anyone has any ideas on how to get a hold of some of the writing crew please don’t hesitate to shout out! cheers.

sunday

]]> By: Michael Hirsh http://www.mash4077tv.com/articles/makingmash/#comment-31682 Michael Hirsh Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:56:09 +0000 http://www.finest-kind.net/wp/?page_id=96#comment-31682 Don, I'm in Punta Gorda, Florida. Unfortunately, I can't see your email address to write to you directly. Hirsh Don,
I’m in Punta Gorda, Florida. Unfortunately, I can’t see your email address to write to you directly.

Hirsh

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