[Xombie]

Yes, MASH did things like the clock episode and the newsfootage episode. These, of course, were gimmicks. And gimmicks are usually, although not always, a sign of creative desperation. You can actually see the writer's conference: "Hey, how about if we do it real time? We could even put a clock in at the bottom of the screen so the viewers can keep up." In actuality, that clock served no function that couldn't have been dramatically better served by characters shouting out to Hawkeye how much time was left but the story became subservient to the gimmick.
And, yes, they had their "emmy" shows which for 70s sitcoms meant that for three or four minutes in a program the humor would come to a screeching halt and all the actors would strut their acting chops by overreacting to some tragedy. (Does anyone not remember how horrible all those Very Special Episodes from 70s sitcoms really were?) Alan Alda's over-the-top look-at-me-I'm-acting performance in the finale episode ("But it was a BAAAAAAAAAAYBEEEEEEEEEE!") is one of the most embarrassing performances in the history of televison. Even now, more than twenty years after viewing it, I cringe when I recall it.

As for the suggestion that this show will be watched when todays's sitcoms are forgotten: When MASH went off the air, it immediately popped up everywhere in syndiacation, usually in prime real estate (after the 11 o'clock news usually). As time has gone on it has been supplanted by newer shows such as Seinfeld, Friends, and Everyone Loves Raymond to the point that I never stumble across MASH anymore. I remember a similar fate for older shows when I was growing up in the late 60s and 70s such as I Love Lucy. My guess is the same fate awaits MASH, evaporating in the public's mind like a puddle in a dry summer heat. In reality there have been better sitcoms (Most of the MTM fair such as Mary Tyler Moore and the Bob Newhart show that had the good sense to avoid Very Special Episodes, as well as Cheers, Fraiser, Seinfeld and, yes, Everyone Loves Raymond), and all around funnier shows (MST3k,Aqua Teens, Mr. Show). As televison has progressed since the 70s it has just gotten better and the best of these shows will push out the inferior shows that seemed classic and immortal only a quarter century ago. After all, one can only watch one show at a time and there are only so many hours in a day.

[s20]

I would have to beg to differ, there are channels that still have mash on very regular and it's not hard to find one. Although maybe the older crowd is more into it, there are alot of college students I know who are also in to it.

[Kirby]

Hell even I, a middle school student, make a point to watch MASH whenever I catch it on my 'late night homework rush spectaculars'. It's quite good and has stood the test of time for tv standards, even if you don't like it at least commend it for having regular fans after 30+ years.

[s20]

Yes M*A*S*H* will keep on going and will be a favorite of alot of people for a long time to come.

[Supes]

I'll take M*A*S*H* over Friends, Seinfeld and Everybody loves Raymond anyday. I enjoy these shows, but they do not hold me the way M*A*S*H* did and does to this day.

It's a personal preference thing really though. Xombie doesn't like the show and doesn't find it funny or sees the subtlety of the show. It simply didn't grab him. That's fair enough because for a great many people it did grab them.

It's not a reality TV show, it's a situational comedy. Where is surpassed its rivals is that it provided a better social commentary than many other shows did or have done since.

[Despondent]

Alan Alda was up for Best supporting Actor Oscar? I had no idea.

then they ran the clip and it didn't look just like him. Sounded just like every other role I've heard him do...

(shameful joy.)


but good news, AA fans. there's talk of him taking the ROLE of the pres on the west wing.

(heavy sigh, to counter the bleeding heart)

[barend]

mash quiz


me?

[Just your average movie goer]

Sweet. I am

Captain B.J. Hunnicut


EDIT - My image link didn't work though.

This post has been edited by Just your average movie goer: 31 March 2005 - 09:57 PM

[Despondent]

[barend]

cool!

i can live with despondent for a while.... and when he moves out Movie Goer can take his place...

[Just your average movie goer]

Very cool. And I also found an interesting game you can play with that quiz.

Try to answer the questions in such a way so you will get Klinger. It's actually not as easy as one might think. Despite clicking on answers involving wearing dresses, I repeatedly came up with Hawkeye.

So there's a challenge for you. What are required responses to get Klinger?

[Supes]

Well well well. The three Australian's end up similar:

I'm Hawkeye also!

Looks like the 4 of us (Despondant included of course) can happily set up the Swamp anywhere we feel and be totally at home.

This post has been edited by Supes: 01 April 2005 - 08:56 AM

[Despondent]

Thanks for the invite. Lemme know when and where.

[Chefelf]

The dumb stupid quiz doesn't work! I clicked all the buttons and then the submit button and it didn't do anything.

[barend]

click harder!