This is by far the latest I’ve posted my annual Year in Review. The reason this post is so late? I had back-to-back colds over the past month or so. It was a fun way to start off 2024. They weren’t serious illnesses but I felt sick enough both times to spend two or three days not wanting to get out of bed or off the couch. Then came another ten days of feeling exhausted. Overall, I was under the weather for roughly four weeks.
You may have also noticed the lack of any Amazon.com advertisements around the site. That’s because the Amazon Affiliates program made big changes to how it serves ads on December 1st, 2023 and I didn’t realize until two weeks ago. I’ve been working behind the scenes trying to come up with a workaround, which has taken up most of my limited free time. The ads are still broken but I’m making progress.
Anyway, here’s everything that happened in the world of M*A*S*H during 2023. It was a slow year overall for M*A*S*H. “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 28th. Our favorite sitcom celebrated its 51st anniversary on September 17th followed by the 40th anniversary of AfterMASH on September 26th.
Rest in Peace
Sadly, there were several deaths during 2023. Scriptwriter Hal Dresner, who wrote “I Hate a Mystery” and “Edwina,” died on March 17th. Actress Judy Farrell, who played Nurse Able in a number of episodes, including the series finale, died on April 2nd. Actress Eileen Saki, who portrayed Rosie in seven episodes, died on May 1st. Scriptwriter Robert Klane, who wrote two episodes and contributed to several others, died on August 29th. And actor Burt Young, who guest starred in “L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel)” during Season 2, died on October 8th.
Other News
In March, Alan Alda and Mike Farrell reunited on an episode of the Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda podcast to perform a “new” scene from M*A*S*H written by a chatbot. In June, Heritage Auctions sold one of the iconic M*A*S*H signposts for $150,000. And in December, FOX announced plans to air a new documentary special titled “M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television” on Monday, January 1st, 2024.
Happy New Year
As always, I’ll finish this Year in Review with a quote from the Season 9 episode “A War For All Seasons”:
Colonel Potter: “Here’s to the new year. May she be a damn sight better than the old one, and may we all be home before she’s over.”
There was another mention of New Year’s Eve in “Hot Lips and Empty Arms” during Season 2, plus jokes about New Year’s Eve or Day in “Yankee Doodle Doctor” (Season 1), “The Army-Navy Game” (Season 1), “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” (Season 5), “Your Hit Parade” (Season 6), and “Communications Breakdown” (Season 10).
I know I’m late, but Happy New Year, M*A*S*H fans. Stay healthy, stay happy, and continue enjoying M*A*S*H throughout 2024.
Alan Alda sold his dog tags and boots from M*A*S*H for a fundraiser at a Heritage Auctions held on July 28, 2023. They sold for $125,000 including the buyer’s premium!
It’s never fun to start off the year with illnesses, and I hope you’re feeling much better now. Taking the time to rest and recover is important Geometry Dash World, so don’t hesitate to prioritize your health.