I Need a New Word

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bart_simpson

I only got to know MASH backwards in syndication reruns. So I got used to Winchester and Potter first and then wondered what was going on when the repeats started over with the boss turning into some chill guy in a fishing hat and Hawkeye's tent-mate was a loathesome quack.

I think Potter and Winchester made the show more cozy, less like the novel which was black comedy, a genre that usually does not last long on TV. I was often unsure what to make of Blake and Burns was so horrid I almost felt sorry for him. Potter was a wholesome cup of Black coffee and Winchester, while a snob, at least knew what he was doing. Blake and Burns are like people in real life, Potter and Winchester are more entertaining but a little too easy. I'm not sure which I pair prefer, especially given the limitations of the sitcom.

The shark-jump moment for me was the sequel spin-off: After MASH. All I can remember of it is Hawkeye and maybe Honeycut watching a hydrogen bomb explode on TV. I don't remember what they said. The irreverent/maudlin switch was broken.

M*A*S*H is best watched the first time in order. It doesn't work as well going from The Potter era to the Blake era. It's best going from the Blake era to the Potter era.

[DiapDealer]

My main problem with the later MASH (you can keep your asterisks), is that they turned RADAR into a complete clown. In the earlier seasons he smoked cigars, drank a good bit, played poker, and was quite involved in all of the scheming and conniving. He was smart and a lot more worldly. Then he suddenly became a rube from Iowa who was all "Golly gee."

[theducks]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

My main problem with the later MASH (you can keep your asterisks), is that they turned RADAR into a complete clown. In the earlier seasons he smoked cigars, drank a good bit, played poker, and was quite involved in all of the scheming and conniving. He was smart and a lot more worldly. Then he suddenly became a rube from Iowa who was all "Golly gee."

When MASH started all those things were normal in the Military. Then things changed (including the current Military), where those things were either frowned upon or banned. (Not PC?)

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by theducks

When MASH started all those things were normal in the Military. Then things changed (including the current Military), where those things were either frowned upon or banned. (Not PC?)

That doesn't really explain why they would take it out on one character and let all of the rest run amok and be deviants.

They did it to Potter in reverse. He showed up all hard-core regular army--was going to run things by the book--and within one episode, he was lushing (and yukking) it up with the best of them.

I actually liked Harry Morgan's earlier guest appearance as the whackadoodle General Bartford Hamilton Steele better than his Potter character.