If you love MAS*H as much as I do, you might feel like you've experienced everything it has to offer – the funny parts, the heartfelt moments, and the characters you can't forget.
Known for its clever writing, deep emotions, and smart humor, MAS*H quickly turned into a cherished part of American TV culture.
But even though it was a hit, the show had its fair share of errors, historical mix-ups, and continuity issues that many dedicated fans didn't even notice.
As a child growing up in the '80s, MASH was always playing softly in the background, with its catchy theme song coming on right before I went to bed. I never managed to watch more than the opening credits before I had to switch off the TV, but later on, I decided to give the show a try — and I've been a fan ever since.
MASH was more than just a television program; it became a huge part of our culture that brought families together. When its last episode aired in 1983, it drew in almost half of the people in the U.S., and it still holds the record for the most-watched episode in prime time history.
MASH takes place during the Korean War and tells the story of a team of doctors and nurses working at a mobile army surgical hospital (MAS*H). They deal with the tough situations of war, medical emergencies, and their own friendships, all while using humor and kindness to handle the craziness around them.
This show really sticks with you, and as I watch some episodes again, I'm spotting some hidden mistakes and funny bloopers that make it even more enjoyable. Have you heard about these?
Fatal case of hepatitis
Did you know that William Christopher, who played the kind-hearted Father Mulcahy, had a tough battle with hepatitis during the fifth season?
This illness almost made him leave the show for good, and the producers even thought about writing his character out. But here's the cool part: Alan Alda, being the awesome friend he is, wouldn't let that happen. He understood how crucial it was for Christopher to keep working, especially since his son had autism.
So, Alda came up with an entire episode called “Hepatitis” that cleverly included Christopher's health issues into Mulcahy's story. That's what I call a true friend and a smart way to keep Father Mulcahy around!
Frank Burns' tumor prophecy
Here's another fascinating piece of MASH trivia that might send shivers down your spine.
In the Hepatitis episode, the witty Hawkeye (played by Alan Alda) is checking on Frank Burns, who nonchalantly says, “I do have a pea-sized tumor under my sternum.”
Strangely enough, the actor who played Frank, Larry Linville, sadly died years later from a malignant tumor located under his sternum. It's wild how life can mirror art in such surprising and somewhat creepy ways.
From one-episode wonder to fan favorite
Not a lot of actors would choose to wear dresses and skirts like Jamie Farr did as Klinger in MASH, but he did it with amazing charm and a great sense of humor. He really brought the character of Max Klinger to life, and honestly, the show wouldn't have been the same without him.
Interestingly, Farr was only supposed to be in one episode at first! But he became so popular with the fans that they decided to make him a regular on the show.
The truth about the dog tags
Did you know that the dog tags Jamie Farr wore on the show were actually his real military dog tags from when he served in the military before becoming an actor?
In an interview featured in the Medicine and Martinis box set, Farr shared that the tags had his personal details, like his name, serial number, and even his religion. That really adds a cool touch of realism to his character!
Did you spot the military mistakes?
In the classic season 2 episode titled For the Good of the Outfit, the show delivered some memorable scenes but also sparked some questions about its military details. One big mistake? There was a Bell Huey UH-1 helicopter displayed in Henry Blake's office. The problem? The Huey didn't make its first flight until 1956, which is well after the Korean War time period that MASH is set in. So, it's clear that this bit of military history doesn't really match up with the timeline!
The death of Lieutenant Colonel Blake
The death of Lieutenant Colonel Blake in MASH was one of the most surprising and talked-about events in TV history. Viewers and critics were shocked when McLean Stevenson, who was leaving the show in 1975, was killed off in such an unexpected and dramatic way (a plane crash while returning to the States).
Back then, it was really unusual for a main character to be killed off so suddenly in a primetime show. Even though many people were shocked, the writers and producers of the show stood by their choice, saying it was meant to highlight the harsh truths of war.
Producers made a pact
The tale of Colonel Blake didn't stop after that surprising event.
After getting flooded with hate mail because of Lieutenant Colonel Blake's shocking death, the writers and producers of the show decided to come together and make a promise.
They agreed that, in the future, if any actor decided to leave MASH*, they would never again give their character such a tragic send-off. The backlash was so intense that it led to a shift in how character departures were handled on the show.
The secret behind Radar's left hand
Gary Burghoff played the character Cpl. Walter ‘Radar' O'Reilly in the show that ran for seven seasons from 1972 to 1983. Radar was a sweet and innocent farm boy who worked as the company clerk and occasionally played the bugle.
But did you ever noticte that Gary Radar had a little-known feature that he worked hard to keep out of the spotlight? Born with a condition called Poland syndrome, which causes the chest muscle to be underdeveloped and sometimes leads to webbed fingers, Gary would cleverly hide his left hand during scenes.
He either held the clipboard or kept it hidden in his pocket, making sure everyone paid attention to his acting instead of his hand.
Why Radar left M*A*S*H
Burghoff was in every episode for the first three seasons, but then it was said that his busy schedule was hard on his family. Because of this, his character's appearances were cut down to 13 episodes instead of 24.
In season seven, Radar left the show, and they had a special two-part episode called “Good-Bye Radar” that showed why he was discharged from the army.
When Burghoff left M*A*S*H, he didn't leave with much.
“I didn't leave M*A*S*H a wealthy man,” Burghoff said in an interview with People. “I could have renegotiated my contract, Money wasn't everything to me. You have to choose between being wealthy and well-known or being a good dad. You can't have both.
Radar's rabies remedy
In the episode Mad Dogs and Servicemen (1974), Radar is bedridden with what might be a rare case of rabies.
To make him feel better, Margaret decides to read him a letter that talks about two famous songs: “Diddy Wah Diddy” by Bo Diddley and “The Wayward Wind” by Gogi Grant. The interesting part is that both of these songs came out in 1956, which is a few years after the Korean War was over.
Too stylish for the front lines
Not every character in MASH has the right Army haircuts for the 1950s! As the show progresses, it becomes obvious that only Colonel Potter and Major Winchester actually look like they could have been in a 1950s Army unit. The others? Let's just say they seem a little too stylish for the military rules.
Hawkeye's ever-changing backstory
Hawkeye's backstory in MASH is quite the adventure! At the beginning, he's introduced as a guy from Vermont, where both his parents are alive, he has a married sister who sends him a huge homemade sweater, and even a nephew to boot.
But as the show progresses, things change. Suddenly, he's from Crabapple Cove, Maine, and he's an only child whose mom died when he was just 10 years old. Looks like the details were a little mixed up! Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, didn't mind these changes at all. He enjoyed how his character could develop and change throughout the series, even if it meant altering some facts a bit.
Hawkeye's sarcasm, Alda's genius
Did you know that Alan Alda made a big mark in TV history by being the first person to win Emmys for acting, writing, and directing all for the same show? That's really impressive!
In the episode “Comrades in Arms,” when Winchester complains about Hawkeye and BJ singing in the shower, Hawkeye responds with, “Don't blame me, I didn't write this stuff.” But here's the fun part — Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, was the one who actually wrote it!
This little moment perfectly showcases Alda's talent for blending humor and character-driven storytelling.
Truth about Loretta Swit and Alan Alda
If you enjoyed the earlier seasons of MASH but didn't like the later ones, or if you feel the opposite, I think the first seasons were really funny, while the later ones mixed comedy with some serious drama really well.
Now, let's discuss the famous pair: Hawkeye and Margaret Houlihan, played by Alan Alda and Loretta Swit. Their relationship really shows how the show changed from being mostly funny to having more serious moments.
Their relationship really shows how the show changed from being mostly funny to having more serious moments. In the beginning, they had a great dynamic as talented doctors, with a hint of attraction between them. As the series went on, their bond grew stronger, shifting from clever jokes to a deeper, more emotional connection.
Hawkeye and Margaret's pivotal moment
In a chat with Yahoo, Swit shared that the characters became really good friends. She mentioned that there are many types of love, and the bond between them was very strong. As the series went on, their relationship became deeper. At first, Margaret admired him as a brilliant surgeon, which created a sense of respect.
The big moment happened in the two-part Season 6 episode called “Comrades in Arms,” when they found themselves stuck together overnight with North Korean bombs all around. After a deep conversation, they finally let their feelings out and spent a passionate night together.
Even though that night didn't lead to a long-term romance, Swit pointed out that it was a significant moment for both characters.
“Alan had planned ‘Comrades in Arms' for us many seasons before it actually aired because the creators were unsure if the audience would be okay with it,” Swit explained.
“But it was a key moment, and it captured the essence of MAS*H — it had everything: tears, laughter, fun, and survival. That's why viewers loved it.”
Loretta Swit's nails
When you really pay attention to how Loretta Swit plays Margaret Houlihan in MASH, one thing really catches your eye: her nails.
In the episode called Comrades in Arms, her nails are more than an inch long! Can you believe it? No nurse, especially not a head nurse in a war zone, would have nails that long. Maybe Margaret just loved being glamorous, but it sure doesn't seem like a realistic look for someone working in a war hospital.
Loretta Swit never liked the nickname ‘Hot Lips'
Loretta Swit didn't really like the famous nickname that was given to her character, Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, she shared how she felt about it: “I get that nicknames come from affection, but to me, it felt like an insult. She wasn't just a body part; she was a major in the U.S. Army, and she deserved respect.”
Looking back, Swit admitted she took matters into her own hands when it came to phasing out the “Hot Lips” nickname.
”I think my perseverance probably became very annoying,” she said. ”But I felt it was important for the women out there who were supporting our country. I kept telling the writers, ‘She's so much more than this.'”
Loretta Swit plastic surgery
Many people today have noticed some changes in Loretta Swit's appearance that might be due to plastic surgery. Although she hasn't talked about it directly, some photos do make people wonder. It's possible that these changes started back when she was on MASH. A Reddit user named bettinafarichild made an interesting comment:
“I've watched all the MASH episodes so many times, but I just saw them in order for the first time and noticed a bunch of little things I never caught before. Am I just not paying attention, or are these changes really subtle? For instance, Loretta Swit seems to have had plastic surgery during season 6. She gets a cleft chin, which is a pretty noticeable change, and I think she also had a nose job, but I'm not sure which season that was, maybe season 9.”
This has definitely gotten fans talking, even though it's still just a guess.
The longest kiss
Here's a cool fun fact for you — fans of MASH know the show had some touching scenes, but the finale featured one of the longest kisses ever seen on TV.
In the episode “Comrades in Arms,” Hawkeye says goodbye to Margaret with a kiss that's so awkward and goes on for so long that it makes everyone else around them feel really awkward.
To remember Margaret's story, Swit shared her thoughts on that memorable moment: “It's the longest kiss in television history,” she mentioned.
Alda, who was in charge of the last episode, and Swit were the only two main actors who appeared in both the first and last episodes of the series. This created a unique connection between them that lasted throughout the entire show.
“The finale was all about bringing everyone together and making sure the fans were happy with their favorite characters. After the show wrapped up, Alan sent me a note saying how amazing it was to have the chance to develop Margaret's character and watch her grow in such a meaningful way.”
If you love MASH*, why not pass this article along to your friends and family? It's a great way to start some fun chats and remember those amazing characters that made us laugh and cry. Tag someone who would appreciate a trip down memory lane – let's share the nostalgia!
