M*A*S*H References on Television

References to M*A*S*H have found their way into various other types of media, ranging from other television series to movies to songs, thanks to the impact the show left on the collective consciousness of all who watched it.

What follows is a list of TV shows that mention M*A*S*H in some capacity, be it a quick throwaway line or a full-on parody.

11.22.63 (Hulu, 2016-Present)

Submitted by Curtis: In the second episode (“The Kill Floor,” released February 22nd, 2016) time traveler Jake Epping, played by James Franco, is in a conversation with a veteran in 1960. He is asked “Did you serve?” and Jake replies “Yes. I was in the Medical Corps, M*A*S*H 4077.”

21 Jump Street (FOX/Syndication; 1987-1991)

Submitted by Emma: In the third season episode “A.W.O.L.” (originally broadcast March 19th, 1989) Hanson and Penhall are attempting to apprehend a young soldier hiding out in a high school. As they watch him fool about, Penhall remarks “They would have let him out of the army with a section 8… It’s that thing Klinger was always trying to get.”

30 Rock (NBC; 2006-2013)

In the March 19th, 2009 episode (“The Bubble”) the following exchange occurs between Tracy Jordan and Kenneth:

Tracy: “Hey Ken, you know what I have a craving for?”
Kenneth: “Jerked chicken from that place in Mill Basin?”
Tracy: “And some?”
Kenneth: “Catalog photos of expectant mothers in their swimming suits?”
Tracy Jordan: “You’re my Radar O’Reilly, Ken. Now get in here and rub my feet ’til you hear a chopper coming.”

Submitted by jbright: In the May 14th, 2009 episode (the Season Three finale, “Kidney Now!”) Alan Alda guest stars as Milton Greene. There is a scene in which Tracy (played by Tracy Morgan) talks with Kenneth (played by Jack McBrayer) about a traumatic experience he had in high school. It involved dissecting a frog. He breaks down and starts crying just as Alda’s character walks by:

Tracy Jordan: “It’s true. There was no baby. I was chicken. I was chicken.”
Milton Greene: “A guy crying about a chicken and a baby? I thought this was a comedy show?”

This hilarious reference relates to the series finale of

M*A*S*H in which Hawkeye has a mental breakdown after watching a Korean mother suffocate her baby to keep it quiet. During his psychotherapy, Hawkeye remembered it as a chicken, but then realized it was a child. He starting crying about a chicken and a baby, then called the therapist a “son of a bitch for making me remember that.”

All In The Family (CBS; 1971-1979)

Submitted by chrissie: In an episode entitled “Stale Mates” Archie is reading the National Enquirer and on the cover you can see a picture of Jamie Farr and some women.

Arrested Development (FOX/Netflix; 2003-2005; 2013)

In the fourth season episode “It Gets Better,” the tail end of the closing credits from

M*A*S*H are shown during a scene in which a fake infomercial is shown. As the episode cuts to a fake video sharing website called YourClipz.com, a second or two of the closing theme can be heard and the final frame of the closing credits from “George” is shown. A number of characters on the show are named George so this episode was obviously chosen for a reason.

M*A*S*H Reference on Arrested Development - Copyright © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

M*A*S*H Reference on Arrested Development – Copyright © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Becker (CBS; 1998-2004)

In one episode, after a woman leaves the diner, Jake turns around to apologize to her (not realizing she is gone). Bob cuts him off by saying “Hey, Radar, she left.”

Cashin’ In (Fox News Channel; 2006-Present)

Submitted by Mrs. Frank Burns: This business program, broadcast as part of

The Cost of Freedom, regularly featured Wayne Rogers as a member of its discussion panel. During the August 22nd, 2009 edition (see this recap, panelist Syeve Leser predicted that “for next year you need to know unemployment will be below 7.5 percent” and promised that “if not, in honor of Wayne, I will come in dressed as Klinger from ‘MASH’.”

Castle (ABC; 2009-Present)

During the Octobet 31st, 2011 episode (“Cops & Robbers”), Detective Kate Beckett (played by Stana Katic) asks a bank robber (played by Darren Pettie) his name and he responds Trapper John:

Detective Kate Beckett: “So what’s your name?”
Bank Robber: “You can call me Trapper John.”
Detective Kate Beckett: “A MASH fan. That’s Nice.”

Community (NBC/Yahoo!; 2009-2015)

During the November 5th, 2009 episode (“Home Economics”), when two of the characters are at a hospital (or clinic), a male nurse played by Patton Oswalt states “I’m kind of the Hawkeye around here.”

In the first scene of the January 14th, 2010 episode (“Investigative Journalism”), Abed (played by Danny Pudi) compares Jeff (played by Joel McHale) to Hawkeye: “He kept his upbeat humor and charm even in the 11th year of the Korean War.” In a later scene, Abed mentions Hot Lips and the Swamp’s still:

Abed: “This character reboot is really gelling for you, Jeff. That was all classic Hawkeye. Sending soldiers out for liquor. Slyly sidestepping the problematic scrutiny of Annie “Hot Lips” Edison. I should build you a still for making Hawkeye martinis.”
Jeff: “Of all your pop culture fixations this is one I can work with, Abed.”
Abed: “Call me Radar.”
Jeff: “When you’ve earned it.”

Later, Jeff begins wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Abed an olive drab t-shirt. Back in the office, Abed works on the still and again compares Jeff to Hawkeye. He even hums part of the theme song before Jeff asks him to stop (the closed captioning calls it “humming end of M.A.S.H. theme”). When Jeff begins questioning himself, the following conversation takes place:

Abed: “Jeff, what’s your favorite episode of M*A*S*H?”
Jeff: “The one with, uh, the army.”
Abed: “That’s what I thought. If you’d ever actually seen the show you’d know that Hawkeye didn’t just bed nurses and drink martinis. He also had blood sprayed on his face and barked orders when the choppers came in. If he didn’t people died. He was a leader, Jeff. That’s your job.”

After Abed’s advice works out, Jeff thanks Abed by calling him Radar (Abed responds by saying “You made me so happy I just peed a little.”). The episode ends with a freeze frame, the closing theme from M*A*S*H and fake credits matching those from the series.

M*A*S*H Reference on Community - Copyright © Sony Pictures Television Inc.

M*A*S*H Reference on Community – Copyright © Sony Pictures Television Inc.

Distraction (Comedy Central; 2005-2006)

Submitted by Corporal Shawna Marie: In the new game show “Distraction” while the contestants had to drink hot sauce to answer a question one of the questions went “Hey Hot Lips, in what 1970’s sitcom would you find Loretta Swit playing Hot Lips Houlihan?”

The Drew Carey Show (ABC; 1995-2004)

In one episode, when Drew is having flashbacks to his high school years, the 1972 or 1976 flashback starts with the M*A*S*H theme playing.

Ed (NBC; 2000-2004)

Submitted by Twilight: Ed’s sitting in his office working, then Shirley comes in, arms full and says:

Shirley: “Here, I made you some coffee and corn on the cob.”
Ed: “I didn’t ask for any”
Shirley: “I’m trying to stay one step ahead of you. Like Radar O’Reilly did with Colonel Potter”
Ed: “Right.”

Elementary (CBS; 2012-Present)

In the March 12th, 2015 episode (“T-Bone and The Iceman”) Joan Watson (played by Lucy Liu) talks about the one time her stepfather ever convinced her mother to do something: order bread sticks with their pizza when they were watching a new episode of

M*A*S*H.

Family Guy (FOX; 1999-2003, 2005-Present)

In one episode, Brian comes into a room with a surgical mask, parodying the scene in “Abyssinia, Henry” when Radar comes into the OR to tell of Henry’s death.

In the episode “A Hero Sits Next Door,” Peter is complaining about things he hates and has the following dialoge: “More than I hate spinach, traffic jams, and the last few years of

M*A*S*H. You know, when Alan Alda took over behind the camera and the show got all dramatic and preachy? Huh? Am I right? Who’s with me? Huh?”

Submitted by NWTTCC: In the episode “The Thin White Line,” when Brian is in rehab he is confronted by a nurse concerning his behavior, he responds with “Hey, Hot Lips.”

In the episode “Breaking Out Is Hard to Do,” the family is hiding out in Asiantown. While being chased by a helicopter, the Asian co-pilot says “When I fire rockets, I always pretend I shooting at Alan Alda and Jamie Farr. Take that, wise-cracking meatball surgeon!”

Submitted by Lauren: In the Family Guy movie “The Stewie Griffin Story”, Stewie gets drunk and starts blurting out the lyrics to “Suicide is Painless.”

Submitted by Sarah and Frogz: During the Sunday, October 7th, 2007 episode titled “Believe It Or Not Joe’s Walking On Air,” the character of Joe (a police officer in a wheelchair) is about to undergo a leg transplant. The doctor puts on an informational video and Jamie Farr appears on the television set. He says, “Hi, I’m Jamie Farr, and you’re about to perform leg surgery.” Joe attempts to protest, but he was given anesthesia earlier and passed out.

During the March 11th, 2012 episode (titled “Killer Queen”), during a scene at a fat camp, the following exchange takes place, parodying Hawkeye’s breakdown during “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen”:

Counselor: “Is there someone else with a story they’d like to share? Peter?”
Peter: “Uhm, yeah, sure. This one time I was on a city bus and the guy next to me was eating a bucket of fried chicken.”
Various: “Mmm! Ooh! Yum!”
Peter: “And the smell was getting to me, you know. And even though I didn’t know the guy, I just dug in and started stuffing that chicken into my mouth.”
Various: “O-oh. Embarassing. I’ve done that.”
Peter: “It was so delicious. But… it wasn’t fried chicken. It was a baby!”
*crying*
Peter: “It was a baby.”

Frasier (NBC; 1993-2004)

Submitted by Joanne: In the episode “Door Jam,” Daphne and Martin are talking about

M*A*S*H. Martin says Hawkeye reminds him of himself, and Daphne replies that she sees him as more of a Colonel Potter type. Martin gets annoyed, and they argue until Daphne gives in and pretends to agree with him.

Freaks and Geeks (NBC; 1999-2000)

Submitted by Anne: In one episode of Sam, Neal and Bill are arguing about whether or not

M*A*S*H is funny. Then one of them tells the others that Radar “always carries a clipboard” because two of his fingers are shorter than normal, and the others act impressed.

Friends (NBC; 1994-2004)

Submitted by kristin: In the episode “The One With The Ski Trip” Carol and Ross have the following conversation:

Carol: “Hey, what are you doing here?”
Ross: “Well, oh just ah, I was just wondering, when you and I split up, did you get the tape that was half the last episode of

M*A*S*H and half the hostages coming home?”
Carol: “Ah yeah, but now it’s Susan and me in Mexico and the hostages coming home.”

Futurama (FOX; 1999-2003; Comedy Central, 2010-2013)

In the episode “War Is The H-Word”, there is a

M*A*S*H unit, and when the scene changes to the M*A*S*H unit, the theme from

M*A*S*H plays, and one of the robotic doctors is called iHawk (obviously based on Hawkeye) and has a switch that goes from Irreverent and Maudlin.

Submitted by Michael: During “War Is The H-Word,” there is a PA announcer. According to the DVD commentary track for the episode, the producers had Todd Sussman (who was one of voice actors who read the PA announcements on

M*A*S*H to come in and do the lines for the announcements in the episode.

Gilmore Girls (The WB/The CW; 2000-2007)

In one episode, Lorelei is helping her father out by acting as his secretary for a few days, and her father comments that she is “just like that short fellow on M*A*S*H, always anticipating things,” or something to that effect.

In the episode “We’ve Got Magic to Do,” while organizing a Daughters of the Revolution party, Rory calls her assistant Radar and asks if she hears helicopters coming. Later, the same assistant finally gets the joke.

Gloria (CBS; 1982-1983)

Submitted by kb341: In this pilot for the

All In The Family spin-off, Gloria moved in with a veterinarian to be his assistant after a divorce from Mike. When she reports for her first day, she witnesses a case about a gay dog. Another assistant remembers the episode of

M*A*S*H when Major Burns wants a discharge for a soldier because he is gay.

Golden Girls (NBC; 1985-1992)

Submitted by Rebekah: In one episode, the girls are holding a celebrity auction, and Rose asks Dorothy if the dress Jamie Farr wore on

M*A*S*H has come in yet. She replies no, and Rose says something to the effect of, “Boy! You couldn’t trust Klinger on guard duty, and you can’t trust him now!” After Rose leaves, Sophia stands and says that the dress DID come, and when Dorothy asks her where it is, she replies, “How do I look?”

Submitted by Carrie: In another episode, the “golden girls” are talking about money and Sophia wants a new television for her room and she says something like: “I want to watch the last episode of

M*A*S*H that everyone has been going on about.”

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC; 2005-Present)

The March 25th, 2010 episode was titled “Suicide is Painless,” a clear reference to the memorable theme song from the film MASH and M*A*S*H the TV series.

During the May 3rd, 2012 episode, titled “Let the Bad Times Roll,” Christina Yang (played by Sondra Oh) is taking an oral examination and confronts her (older) examiner with the following: “Fine. You know what? Earlier when I said I was okay with that open procedure, I wasn’t. That might have been okay when, like, Hawkeye and B.J. did it on M*A*S*H, but this being the new century and all, I would have, as I said earlier, treated it endoscopically.”

Happy Endings (ABC; 2011-2013)

During the February 22nd, 2012 episode, “The Butterfly Effect Effect,” Alex (played by Elisha Cuthbert) is overly excited about having a sleepover: “Yes! A slumber party. We’ll order pizza, have strawberry milk. We’ll play MASH. I get to be Hawkeye.” This refers both to M*A*S*H the TV show and MASH the children’s game.

How I Met Your Mother (CBS; 2005-2014)

In “The Bracket” (originally broadcast March 31st, 2008) during a flashback scene Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) is trying to remember the name of the actor who played Hawkeye on M*A*S*H. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) suggests Alan Alda. Barney says no and heads for the bar. When he returns, he says it was Alan Alda.

Barney: “Alan Alda. It was Alan Alda.”
[Two minutes earlier]
Barney: “Who was that guy from M*A*S*H. The main guy. What… Hawkeye from MASH. How can I be blanking on this?”
Lily: “Alan Alda?”
Barney: “No.”

House (FOX; 2004-2012)

In the November 11th, 2008 episode of House (“The Itch”) while discussing doing surgery in a patient’s home as opposed to the hospital, the following exchange takes place:

Cameron: “It’s probably ten times more sterile than any mobile hospital [operating room?] you’d find in a battlefield.”
House: “We’d still need Trapper John.”

In Plain Sight (USA; 2008-2012)

During the March 16th, 2012 episode (“The Anti-Social Network”), Mary Shannon (played by Mary McCormack) and Mark Stuber (played by Bryan Callen) have the following exchange regarding changing a baby:

Mark: “Wipes, please.”
Mary: “What am I, your scrub nurse? They’re right there, Hawkeye.”

The King of Queens (CBS; 1998-2007)

Submitted by Joe: Once on “The King of Queens” some of Doug’s friends at work asked him to play football. He said he couldn’t because he had to go to a dinner with Carrie (his wife) and “she’ll kill me if I don’t go”. One of the guys said “OK, but before she does, let us know what kind of dress you wanna be buried in” and laughed. Doug said “Ha ha, very funny” and started saying how marriage is a two-way street, you can’t always do what you want because you have to please your spouse, etc. Then he paused and said “Oh, who am I, Alan Alda? C’MON, LET’S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!”

The Loop (FOX; 2006-2007)

At the start of the June 24th, 2007 episode (“Lady Business) the character of Sam is told to throw a pair of gloves into a helicopter. As he runs towards the chopper, one of his co-workers asks him why he’s ducking. His reply? “I don’t know, I saw it on M*A*S*H!”

Mad About You (NBC; 1992-1999)

Submitted by Rich: The character played by Paul Riser was watching a

M*A*S*H* marathon and says something like “Oh, this is the episode where Hawkeye and Hot Lips kiss.” Also in the same episode (or another one, I saw it a long time ago) William Christopher was playing a priest, and at the end during the credits was complaining that he always plays a priest and that he can be a tough guy too.

Malcolm in the Middle (FOX; 2000-2006)

In one episode, Francis talks about how he’d rather have Hawkeye operate on him over Trapper John.

Mercy (NBC; 2009-2010)

In the series premiere (“Can We Get That Drink Now?,” originally broadcast September 23rd, 2009) Veronica Callahan (played by Taylor Schilling) is talking with her brother Mike (played by Diego Klattenhoff) about her love life and the following exchange takes place:

Mike: “You told me about that guy in Iraq, remember, at mom’s birthday party?”
Veronica: “Shut up! I only told you that because we were wasted and I didn’t think you were going to remember.”
Mike: “Well, I do remember.”
Veronica: “Well shut up about it, okay? He cheated first. Besides, I was at war. I was fighting for my country. I could have died. Haven’t you ever seen M*A*S*H?”

Miami Medical (CBS; 2010)

During the April 3rd, 2010 premiere of this drama, the character played by Jeremy Northam (Dr. Matthew Proctor), referred to the Miami trauma center as “MASH in paradise.” According to the official CBS description for the episode, Northam’s character “is new to the trauma team after leaving a lucrative private practice following his return from a tour of duty in a MASH unit during the first Gulf War.”

Mork & Mindy (ABC; 1978-1982)

Submitted by Joanne: During the episode “I Heard It Through the Morkvine,” Mork calls up information on the telephone, looking for gossip:

“Hello, information? Yes. Hi, I’d like the truth about M*A*S*H. Yes, is it true Corporal Klinger is really Danny Thomas’s sister?”

My Name Is Earl (NBC; 2005-2009)

On the third season premiere of

My Name Is Earl, Joy covers Randy’s mouth with duct tape. She then remembers that Randy has a deviated septum and thus cannot breathe through his nose. She picks up a pen, pulls out the ink, and then jams the pen through the duct tape into Randy’s mouth so he can breathe. With a grin, she tells Randy she “saw that on M*A*S*H.”

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Comedy Central; 1988-1999)

Various episodes of this series had comments about characters from M*A*S*H.

News Radio (NBC; 1995-1999)

In one episode, the character of Dave Nelson says “Hey, I didn’t just sign for a stolen jeep, did I Radar?”, referencing the way Radar would trick whoever is his CO into signing for odd things.

Submitted by Savannah: M*A*S*H is referenced twice more on NewsRadio. There’s a second time involving Jimmy James asking Dave if he has his wife candidate list and then says “You didn’t try to make time with any of my ladies did you Dave?” and Dave replies, “No sir Loretta Swit’s a little out of my league.” Jimmy replies “Yeah, mine too.”

Submitted by Savannah: The third time is when he says he takes her off his list and Dave asks “Married already?” Jimmy’s answer? “No, it’s just no one can seem to find her.”

Pushing Daisies (ABC; 2007-2008)

During the October 15th, 2008 episode (“Bad Habits”) two characters go undercover at a Catholic nunnery. Chi McBride’s character, Emerson Cod, pretends to be a priest named Father Mulcahy. Later on, one of the real nuns sees through the ruse, saying “Perhaps your associate, M*A*S*H’s Father Mulcahy, would like to help.”

Roseanne (ABC; 1988-1997)

Submitted by Mrs. Frank Burns: In one episode, Jackie suddenly stops, thinking she heard something. Roseanne remarks, “Choppers, Radar?”

Saturday Night Live (NBC; 1975-Present)

Submitted by Corporal Shawna Marie: In one broadcast, during a rapping skit, one of the rappers tossed out the following lines: “Every day I make a big wad of cash/And I like to drink more than Hawkeye from MASH.”

Submitted by Jamie: In SNL: The Best of Chris Rock, there was a sketch where Chris was a talk show host called Nat X and he was talking about the OJ Simpson trial. He said (basically) that the black people were happy that he was acquitted and the white people weren’t. Then he said “I haven’t seen that many mad white people since they canceled M*A*S*H!”

Scream Queens (FOX; 2015-Present)

In the episode “Rapunzel, Rapunzel” (originally broadcast December 6th, 2016), Chanel (played by Emma Roberts) doesn’t know that M*A*S*H is a TV show. When told by Dr. Brock Holt (played by John Stamos) that M*A*S*H is “only the most popular television show in the history of TV,” she insists Boy Meets World is in fact the most popular TV show ever.

Scrubs (NBC/ABC; 2001-2010)

Submitted by Cathy W.: In the episode “My Super Ego” (originally broadcast November 6th, 2001) J.D. mentions playing M*A*S*H with his older brother. Then he flashes back to when he was a kid, and he has a blond wig on. He complains, “I don’t want to be Hot Lips again.” Then his brother’s voice, off-camera, says, “Shut up and kiss Frank.” The dog, presumably “Frank,” has a green Army-issue hat on.

Submitted by Mandi: In the episode “My Mentor” (originally broadcast October 4th, 2001) Dr. Cox enters a room and begins to ask a question. John Dorian interrupts him with, “Done, copied and highlighted.” Dr Cox replies, “Unfortunately, Radar, I’m fresh out of gold stars.”

In the episode “My Tormented Mentor” (originally broadcast March 2nd, 2004) two of Jordan’s friends are in town. Jordan asks Perry to show them around the hospital. He immediately calls for J.D. only to have Jordan shoot him down by saying “No, no. No pawning them off on Radar.”

Sesame Street (PBS; 1969-Present)

Submitted by Chloe: Big Bird’s teddy bear is named Radar.

St. Elsewhere (NBC; 1982-1988)

In one episode, Dr. Mark Craig mentions his friend Dr. B.J. Hunnicut to his wife.

Submitted by Jan: In the last episode there was a patient #4077 named Colonel Henry Blake who was injured in a helicopter crash.

The Simpsons (FOX; 1990-Present)

In one episode, in a wax museum that had melted, the sign the stood at the entrance to the camp, “M*A*S*H Best Care Anywhere”, can be seen, as can puddles of melted wax that no doubt were once characters from the show.

In one episode, after Marge gets into a helicopter, she looks down and sees “Don’t Take Your Clothes Off” written in stones by Homer, a parody of the final scene from “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.”

In one episode, Lisa gives Homer a book called “My Core Beliefs” written by Mike Farrell. Homer flips through it and says something along the lines of “He really hated Wayne Rogers.”

Submitted by Rakrehbiel and Pat: In one episode Dr. Hibbard offers Lisa a “

M*A*S*H” coloring book to amuse herself while her ear drops are settling in. He starts to flip through it, notices the pictures of Hawkeye and one of the other characters harassing Major Burns and walks out of the room with it, chuckling. The

M*A*S*H logo and a sketch of Hawkeye are visible on the cover. Dr. Hibbert suggests, “If you get bored, here’s a M*A*S*H coloring book” (He flips through the book) “Here’s a good one: Hawkeye’s antics irritate the other surgeons.” (Laughs)

In one episode (during a flashback) Marge is talking to two of her girlfriends, and they have the following conversation:

Marge: Did you girls watch the last episode of

M*A*S*H?
Woman 1: That Mike Farrell really boils my potato.
Woman 2: I miss the Klinger already.

Submitted by Amy: In the episode “A Millhouse Divided” Lisa says to Homer “Do you mean the poker shack in the Swamp? She knows.”

In the episode “The Yellow Badge of Cowardge” (originally broadcast Sunday, May 18th, 2014), after explaining that Milhouse had suffered traumatic amnesia, Dr. Hibbert ran off to “look at some severe cases of ice cream headache.” As the theme song to

M*A*S*H played, Dr. Hibbert was seen kneeling amongst a field filled with sick students laid out on stretchers. There was even a close-up of Dr. Hibbert, mimicking the close-up of Hawkeye in the opening credits. Dr. Hibbert helps load a sick student onto a helicopter, which was actually part of a helicopter carnival ride.

In the episode “E My Sports” (originally broadcast Sunday, March 17th, 2019) the theme song to M*A*S*H plays during a scene of people rioting.

In the episode “Podcast News” (originally broadcast Sunday, November 15th, 2020) Abe Simpson romances a former TV actress. As proof she was once famous, he holds up a magazine called “Big-Time TV Star,” a spoof of TV Guide. One of the cover lines reads “Is M*A*S*H Sexist Enough?”

Stargate: SG-1 (Showtime/SCI FI; 1997-2007)

Submitted by Lisa: The sergeant responsible for opening the stargate for most of the 10-year run of the series was given the name Walter, in honor of Radar. An interview with Eclipse Magazine confirms this.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (Syndicated; 1987-1994)

In the episode “Half A Life”, which guest-starred David Ogden Stiers, his character was utilizing a computer terminal, the number of which was #4077.

Standoff (FOX; 2006-2007)

In the pilot episode, during a hostage situation in a coffee shop, a cell phone begins ringing; its ring tone is the theme to M*A*S*H.

That ’70s Show (FOX; 1998-2006)

Submitted by Katelyn: In an episode entitled “The Girl I Love” Jamie Farr guest stars as himself. During a daydream sequence involving Battle of the Sexes, Farr explains that he is ashamed because the Boys Team is losing to the Girls Team. Because he wears dresses on

M*A*S*H, however, he decides to switch to the Girls Team.

That ’80s Show (FOX; 2002)

Submitted by hotlips: In one episode, Katie’s boyfriend was reading in the paper about how the 1982-1983 season of

M*A*S*H would be ending, and he became upset over the show ending.

This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC; 1993-Present)

Submitted by Jacqueline: In one episode, in a scene with two people watching television, a woman asks “What’s this, MASH?” and a man answers, “No, it’s the war.”

V (Miniseries, NBC, 1983)

During Part 2(originally broadcast May 2nd, 1983), when Mike Donovan is brought to the resistance headquarters underground, Juliet Parrish can be seen standing next to a sign that says M.A.S.H.:

M*A*S*H Reference in V (1983)

M*A*S*H Reference in V (1983)

The West Wing (NBC; 1999-2006)

Submitted by Jess: In one episode, while on a flight, Toby gets drunk and starts singing the theme song to

M*A*S*H.

What About Brian (ABC; 2006-2007)

During the February 20th, 2007 episode (“What About Temptations …”) the character of Adam Hillman is trying to persuade his boss that he loves the Iowa Hawkeyes: “I love the Hawkeyes, are you kidding me? My mom was a Hawkeye. You know, my favorite character on M*A*S*H — Hawkeye. My favorite baseball player — Andre Dawson, the hawk.”

World Series of Poker (Various; 1970-Present)

Submitted by chaz: During the 2006 World Series of Poker, an announcer quips, “Yeah, I heard he even beat Hawkeye Pierce.”

Yes, Dear (CBS; 2000-2006)

In the episode “Kiss and Yell,” Greg is talking to his mother on the phone when Jimmy walks in, wearing his wife Christine’s robe, and Greg says “Mom, I gotta go, Corporal Klinger just showed up.”

Submitted by Ali: In one episode, Greg is giving Jimmy a long explanation and Jimmy starts day dreaming. He day dreams this: “I like grape soda. Radar liked grape soda.

M*A*S*H was a great show.”

Last Updated November 25th, 2020


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12 Replies to “M*A*S*H References on Television”

  1. There was a reference to M*A*S*H on yesterday’s Pointless (very good BBC quiz). The contestants had to match the name of the hospital to the TV show it featured it. 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital was one of the clues.

  2. When Alan Alda appeared on 30 Rock, two characters on 30 Rock were crying about a chicken a baby. Alan Alda then says, “What’s all this crying about babies and chickens? I thought this was supposed to be a comedy show.”

  3. Another MASH reference on Pointless today. Contestants had to match TV doctors to the show they were on. One of the clues was Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce. The contestant guesses correctly and the host mentioned how Alan Alda was the only actor to appear in every episode and how the last episode was the most watched show ever.

  4. Nice reference on BBC radio today. Dr Jane Sommerville was the castaway on Desert Island Discs and talking about her pioneering work in the 50s she says it was like one long episode of MASH

  5. In the very first episode of “Childrens Hospital” there’s an announcement over the PA (in a voice very similar to the M*A*S*H loudspeaker announcer) that says, “Will Captain Pierce please report to Colonel Blake?”

  6. You should add a “M*A*S*H references in books” subpage. I’ve found one in “The Cloud Atlas”. There’s a guy who likes to watch it 🙂

  7. In the popular Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, M*A*S*H is mentioned in the episode Tax Man when Brent says to Hank his plan is similar to blackmail plots in M*A*S*H.

  8. On one episode of Benson in the early 80’s, Benson was discussing the fact that he was a Korean War veteran, and he didn’t like to remember it. Benson said “I don’t even watch MASH”.

  9. I have two MASH references to add. First, on AXS Tv’s show “The Very Very Best of the ’70s”, MASH was the number one Early ’70s sitcom. And, on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” Tony Kornheiser mentioned being ghosted by Loretta Swit.

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