With 11 seasons under its belt, M*A*S*H is one of the most popular TV series of all time. Based on real-life events in the Korean War, the show was one of the best series to ever air on CBS. With a dedicated fan base that stayed strong to this day, the show goes down in history for its multiple awards and fascinating plot lines. This show also launched the career of stars like Alan Alda. As with any other TV show, there were, of course, scandalous moments as well.
Alan The Soldier
Alan Alda was the perfect fit for his role as Captain Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H as he served in the Army Reserve during the Korean War. After graduating from Fordham University, he enlisted for the army. This role was also his largest role by far.
Alda wasn’t the only one with military experience playing in the show. Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Klinger, also served in the military during the Korean War. Farr even acted in army training films, adding to his experience. In the military, Alda was a gunnery officer, his and Farr’s military background helped them both understand their characters more and get into the right mindset, as they both knew first-hand about the frustrations of a life abroad during a war.
Alan Alda
A Success Story
Even though it became a huge hit eventually, M*A*S*H didn’t start out very successful. In its first season, the ratings were very low, and the network wondered if the show was worth keeping on the air. Instead of canceling the series due to the low amount of views, the network decided to move the show to another time slot: after the popular show All In The Family and before The Mary Taylor Moore Show. Immediately, the ratings of the show went up, and as a result, it was kept on the air, eventually becoming one of America’s favorite TV shows.
Examining An X-Ray