Happy Birthday to M*A*S*H! Our favorite sitcom turns 43rd today. It premiered way back in September 1972 on CBS. Celebrate by checking out reviews of the pilot and early promotional material for the series.
43rd Anniversary of M*A*S*H
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Episode Spotlight: M*A*S*H — The Pilot
Every Monday, I spotlight a random episode of M*A*S*H, providing a brief review and asking readers to offer their thoughts. This week’s episode: “M*A*S*H — The Pilot.”
CBS Press Release for the Premiere
Here’s a two-page CBS press release, dated August 7th, 1972, for the premiere of M*A*S*H. Click on either of the images for larger versions: I’ve added the press release to my Promoting the Premiere feature, where you can also find a CBS press image for the series.
Pilot Script: The People
Here’s a list of characters included in Larry Gelbart’s script for the pilot episode of M*A*S*H: THE PEOPLE CAPT. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PIERCE (“HAWKEYE”) New Englander; 28, stoop-shouldered, spectacled, usually in need of a haircut. CAPT. JOHN F.X. McINTYRE (“TRAPPER JOHN”) Mid-or-Southwesterner, 28. A bit neater than Hawkeye, but not much. Chief interest: medicine, golf, …
Pilot Script: The Place
Larry Gelbart’s script for “M*A*S*H — The Pilot” (titled simply “Pilot”) included the following brief description of the 4077th: THE PLACE The river valley in which the 4077th MASH is situated is almost surrounded by mountains. The components of the post are spread out in a rough horseshoe with a large compound of level ground …
40th Anniversary Open Discussion
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 …
Reviews of the Pilot
Read a selection of contemporary reviews of the M*A*S*H series premiere, from critics writing for The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and other newspapers.
39 Years of M*A*S*H (1972-2011)
The 39th anniversary of M*A*S*H premiering on CBS took place three days ago. Read some reviews of the pilot from around the time it premiered.