That must have been awesome. You know how radar got his teddy bear? He helped save a couple of children from a village and a young girl gave it to him. That's why it was so important to him. When he was having a rough time it was a reminder of why he was there. It wasn't so much about the bear but it was about that little girl. I rarely see a mash episode I haven't seen before but I caught that gem two weeks ago. It was extremely touching. In that context that teddy bear makes so much more sense now
Our accountant/banker failed to secure comprehensive homeowners insurance after a policy laps. We lost everything, i mean everything and have not rebounded mentally or financially. It's funny how life works, you grow up poor with dignity, make something of yourself and more,lose it all because some people are criminals and just suck in general, and find yourself in a worse spot than just "being poor".( yay Chipotle wifi)
I always loved the innocence that Radar brought to the show. He was a real paradox. On One hand, naive and young, yet mature and able to make very important decisions.
oh god, i LOVE my MASH memories from childhood. i'd be in bed around 9ish, and i'd lie there in the dark, and i could hear the theme song drifting down the hall into my bedroom. my mom and dad watched it every night. and the soft whishing of the dishwasher in the kitchen. and everything was quiet and right with the world :) even these days, at 41 years old, when i feel sad, nervous, or just can't sleep, i'll put on my MASH collection...and i'll be able to fall asleep in a little while. it's just cozy ;) my mom and dad are both gone now, but that's one little thing i remember. and i remember feeling like everything was ok, and safe, and i could go to sleep feeling good. thank you, MASH characters....thank you for those memories.
Man that’s awesome! I have similar childhood memories and the older I get the more important they become, at least for me. Maybe it’s just a place for me to visit far beyond the currently troubled world. Mash was unparalleled.
After the show when Henry Blake’s character was killed off I wrote Gary a letter and mailed it him c/o The Match Game and much to my surprise he wrote back. What a nice guy to care about a kid feelings upset over the death of a fictional character
I always liked how he knew the helicopters were on the way before you could hear them. Also liked the episode where he got a horse for Col.Potter.( Col.Potter was an old horse soldier in WW1, and a big fan of horses.)
Growing up I loved watching MASH every week. Radar was one of my favorites on the show. I also wrote him when he was still on the show. I didn’t think I would ever hear back, but he did send me a letter, such a great memory. Don’t know where the letter is anymore, probably stored in a file somewhere in the attic.
@@johnbockelie3899 It's a Horse Sir, Happy Birthday, and the name was Sophie. That is the best I can remember, John, Australia. PS There is a lot more to this/that episode, however you recall and that is just a portion of.
Gary Burghoff undeniably a great actor. He played a loveable teenager for 11 years and was the only cast member to be in the movie and the show. He became every young man caught in that meat grinder that did his job under fire, disease, and hardship.
@@rjonboy7608 Then I will (Radar walks in to the O.R. looking shaken and distraught) Trapper: "Radar put a mask on." Hawkeye: "If that's my discharge give it to me straight, I can take it." Radar: "I have a message. Lt. Colonel, Henry Blake's plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan. It spun in....there were no survivors." (Radar exhales and walks out) Camera pans to the surgical personnel who are crying and in total shock. A surgical instrument drops and clangs to the floor. Hawkeye and Trapper were working together, look up, in tears.
One of my most favorite Radar moments was when, during some ceremony, Maj. Burns ordered the firing of a canon (aimed in the direction of Radar) while Radar played the bugle. The shot took the bugle right out of Radar's hand, and his tempered fury and shock response was comedy gold.
I remember being surprised and stoked to find out Gary was a great drummer, and after I grew up and became an artist, I learned he was an absolutely amazing painter! Whatever Gary does, it seems he puts his heart and soul into the craft, and I very much admire it :) Thanks, Dave! Excellent video!
I grew up watching MASH. Now that it's on Disney +, I've started watching it again and when the end credit music plays I can almost hear my mom saying to me "OK, off to bed." Love the nostalgia factor but I'm saddened by how many of them are no longer with us. But I guess MASH makes them immortal in some ways.
Keep watching on Disney. The TV land versions are sliced with an extra 5 minutes of commercials on Tuesday and Wednesday, cutting out one program and ending at 7:45, and always, with each commercial length, stuck in there is an ad for Car Shield, with many different variations. Unwontedly, I've been forced to watch MASH, through TV Land's extended programming to squeeze in more commercials, with my teeth gritted in despair.
My personal favorite with Radar is whenever Henry Blake is giving him instructions, Radar anticipates what he’s saying and they both wind up talking over each other.
@@bigsky1970 No, funniest is when they try to outsmart him. Like Frank did. Frank: Hand me the ..." Radar (hands him a folder): "...casualty report." Frank: "Ye... no! I'm not the idiot you usually work for, you can't anticipate what I'm gonna say, hand me the " Radar (hands him another folder) Frank: "OP report... thank you".
Working at a CBS affiliate, I watched MASH several times a day for years. Two decades later, he hosted a telethon at yet another station where I worked. I was thrilled at the prospect of meeting him, but he was very unhappy. Perhaps his life was not that rewarding. This video is a tipoff that stardom is not always as glamorous as it might seem.
It started out as a comedy and ended as a drama. Although Harry Morgan made Col. Sherman T. Potter a M*A*S*H icon McLean Stephenson made Henry Blake the same. To me the first three seasons were the best, and who would have thunk Hawkeye and Margaret would have hooked up. I think in Goodbye, Farewell and Amen there should have been a scene of them riding off into the sunset together one last time before Hawkeye catching his flight. Without a doubt the most somber scene of the entire series was announcing Henry's death. It was well played with only Hawkeye and Radar knowing how Abyssinia, Henry would end was epic. The sound of the surgical instrument hitting the floor still lingers in my head. Cheers to the greatest TV series of all time.
Agree. I think the ones with Trapper were the best, and Henry was a hoot, but he could be serious. And I think Margaret should have hooked up with Trapper, he’s so much more her type, instead, but🤷♀️.
I met Gary at a birthday party for my neighbor in Paradise and found him to be a really friendly person. HE was living in Magalia at the time. Wonder if he lost his home in the Camp fire in 2018 as so many of us did! I
@@bettyrogers8467 You see, while Burghoff was away filming M*A*S*H, a California brush fire nearly claimed the lives of his wife and daughter. Fortunately, at the last moment, firefighters were able to stop the fire but not before it made its way onto Burghoff’s ranch property. Miraculously, the fire stopped just short of the family’s back door.
@@mangot589 I would have thought Winchester was more her type. An officer and refined, but not the wimpy mommy's boy Burns was. Although, Hawkeye did have that 'prank your crush' kind of thing going on with her too...
THat was the start of popular TV & movies that were both comedy & drama. A perfect example is Terms of Endearment, which won a couple of Oscars around the time. It's more reflective of real life, most of us neither live in a comedy or drama but somewhere in between.
Much different version of Gary's departure than I heard. I remember when he announced he was leaving the show, and some interviews that were done with both he and a few other cast members, after the fact. One was with Mike Farrell, who talked about how difficult Gary had become to work with, the last few seasons he was there. And Mike wasn't intentionally slandering Gary. Gary had a reputation of being difficult to work with on the show. The last few seasons, Gary had grown more frustrated on the show, as his character really didn't have any room to grow. This ultimately led to his decision to leave. Mike, along with some other cast members, talked to him and asked him to stay. We hear about the MASH curse now, after actors who had left had such a hard time with their acting careers afterwards. But at that time, they pointed out to him how McClean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers were having a tough time finding quality and long-standing work since MASH. Their tv and movie careers had faltered. But Gary chose to leave. We have a family friend who worked on MASH the last four years of the show. Over time, he would hear comments from cast, but mostly staff and crew had the air seemed somewhat fresher around the set, as if there was more room to breathe. And the reason what Gary wasn't there to create such unnecessary tension they often dealt with. It was also said Gary's difficulty came with his strive to deliver a good performance each episode. David Ogden Stiers brought some life to the show. He was so liked by everyone as a person, and everyone enjoyed working with the character of Winchester, though he was often the antagonist of the other characters. Some of you mention Larry Linville as Frank. I think it was both Alan Alda and Loretta Swit who pretty much said the same thing. And that was: everyone LOVED Larry Linville. But everyone HATED Frank Burns. And they were so sad to see Larry go, but they didn't miss Frank one bit, though they did Frank some justice in his ultimate departure. Some 4o years later, this is all water under the bridge. The cast members still alive, are still friends and still talk to each other. Alan Alda does a great podcast for his ClearAndVivid Foundation. Not quite a year ago, they did a podcast with Alan, Mike, Loretta, Gary, and Jamie Farr. Google it, as it's easy to find. About an hour long, and so fun listening to all of them talk to each other and reminisce about the show. And about the actors they worked with who are no longer with us. If you're a big MASH fan, you'll enjoy listening to it.
So sad that McLean Stevenson left MASH believing he could be the top banana in a show of his own. Some actors are destined to be second bananas because they serve that role so well. Imagine if Harvey Norman had left the Carol Burnett Show for a show of his own. As for Gary's reason for leaving MASH, one only needs to read several issues of TV Guide during the season of Gary's departure to discover that several of his fellow cast members were not happy with him personally. I happened to speak with Mike Farrell who was livid that these cast members chose to air their grievances against Gary anonymously in TV Guide.
This is some the same as my impression after reading a bit on the internet: While Burghoff was played a lovely character he was difficult at the set. And then it was the opposite with Linville.
Yeah, Larry Linville was said to be the polar opposite of Frank Burns. A genuinely nice guy. I read that Linville was ready to move on because the Burns character had become buffoonish and there was simply nowhere else to go with it. I saw an interview where a reporter asked Linville if he wished he had stayed, and worked with the writers on molding Frank Burns into a more compassionate character ( like Margaret Houlihan). Linville said, "What did you want me to become, Alan Alda?"
@The Mask , I don't know if you're referring to my post or one of the follow-up comments. If so, I appreciate it. I don't think anyone, including myself, was trying to out-do the video or steal its thunder. But when one of these videos doesn't quite match up with a lot of truth, or just gets misconstrued, you want to see a little justice done for the show's characters and the actors who played them. After all, there's an entire new generation of MASH fans who weren't even alive when the show went off the air. And having a friend that worked on the show, he was made aware of a lot of residual and collateral damage after Gary left the show, and how the actors as people were adjusting to that at the time. It's still interesting to me how Gary portrayed Radar in his farewell episode, as opposed to how he portrayed him before that. Especially for a character that was just on a few weeks of R&R. The show gave the character a good send-off, though a bit of a bittersweet one. But again, time heals all wounds and so much of this is water under the bridge these days. It's good that all of the actors still keep in touch with each other, and can reminisce with such joy. Any bad blood or ill-feelings have simply been forgotten. Baggage not worth holding onto.
I always thought he got tired of playing a perpetually naive 19 year old. I mean by that point he had been shot, lost a man he looked up to as a father, fallen in and out of love. He would have changed to be the season veteran who the new 18 year olds coming into the camp would look up to.
Although I'm not a fan of the show, one thing I will say for it is that it handled the remarkable cast changes with such ease. Some shows can (Barney Miller is another example) other shows plummet into nothingness when one member leaves. Only God knows why.
My daughter was an Ordnance Specialist in the Army. After her Honorable Discharge, she was hired by KBR to go to Bagram Airfield. After she was done cleaning out minefields and caches of weapons and ammo found in schools, hospitals and other places, she was transferred to logistics. She got the nickname Radar. When troops called in for supplies she got it sent out ASAP. If she didn't have what they needed she knew who did and bypassed protocol and still got it sent out.
M*A*S*H* is my all time favorite tv show. It is an emotional roller coaster ride, and I would agree, Dave, that Radar was indeed the heart and soul of the unit and show. I do remember hearing, at one point, many, many, many moons ago, that Burghoff sometimes would vaunt himself to the producers of the show, saying something to the effect of "I've been with M*A*S*H* from the beginning...." if he had some disagreement with them. I don't know how true that report is. He's never struck me as that kind of guy. I loved how, for a few episodes, they would show Radar's ability to keep up with LTC. Blake whenever Blake was giving orders, and Radar would instantaneously be citing acknowledgements, compliances, solutions, or the occasional snark...just like in the original film. I loved how they handled Blake's final episode. As I understand it, nobody but McLean Stevenson knew that Blake was meeting his ultimate fate as he was flown from the unit to go home. Apparently, the producers just handed Gary an envelope, told him to read it, and then run with it, as they were shooting an already scripted scene in progress in the OR set. When Burghoff entered the room, one of the characters (I believe it was Hawkeye) notes Radar's demeanor, and responds with his usual wit. Then, Radar/Burghoff delivers the sad news. The resulting conclusion to that scene was heart-rending. One of the reasons I've always loved that show, and it remains, to this day, my all time favorite show. Great video as always, Dave.
@@jdsundstrom Thanks, Dave. I always like watching your videos about some of our favorite, or perhaps even favorite, forgotten actors/ actresses. My two favorite characters from this show were Maj. Charles Winchester III, and Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. Winchester, despite his pompous, blue-blood demeanor at the start of his service with the 4077th, always.... *always* did yhe right thing... rules, regs, and rank be damned. He quickly became "one of the fellas". Margaret became a much better character after Maj. Burns (awesomely played by Larry Linville) left the unit, and I fell in love with her, even as a kid.
Ya know, I gotta say that growing up in Utah, myself. I also enjoyed watching M.A.S.H. every night. It's still one of my favorite television shows. I can remember KSL going right to M.A.S.H. right after the news. And other times during the day it would be on. If I remember right it was KSTU in the afternoon when I got home from school. Thanks for posting this video. I too remember reading about what had happened with Gary Burghoff before he left the show. It was a somewhat big story in Hollywood at the time. Now ya got me wanting to go pull one of my DVD's of M.A.S.H.and watch an episode or two. Thanks again.
Radar is my favorite!!! When I was four, I received a teddy bear as a gift from family. I named him Radar, due to Gary's character, and his love for his teddy. 42 years later, that teddy is STILL part of my household.
Another reason he left "M*A*S*H" was because , at 36, he thought he was getting too old to play a character half his age. I don't acknowledge the sequels or spinoffs that were centered around Radar. I prefer to think that Radar married that nurse from Missouri that he met in Tokyo back home in the States and the two of them moved to Chicago. ☺
When I was stationed in Korea, as an ambulance driver I made numerous trips to Ujombu where 43rd MASH was at. Behind the front desk was a giant group photo of the MASH cast members and I took a photo of it.
As a kid, we watched every episode. It was a sad day when the last episide played. At the time, M.A.S.H. was the longest running T.V. show at the time running 11 seasons. I've watched it ever since it went into syndication, and still watch it now...
I'm 51, and I watched M*A*S*H as a kid because it was an "Army" show. Now I look at it as what it really was an "Anti-war" show. I still enjoy it, and understand some of the medical stuff, because I became a Fire Fighter and Medical First Responder in my 30s.
@@timoj24 On top of that, GUNSMOKE was a hit radio show for three years before it jumped to tv. It ran as both a tv and radio show simultaneously for six years, then as only a tv show for fourteen years, for a combined total of twenty-nine years of GUNSMOKE.
I remember watching the reruns with my dad in the afternoons in the early to mid 80s. My sis and I would get home from school, and he’d have gotten up to work a midnight at the FCC monitoring station. I didn’t understand or realize at the time, but it was important. That brief few hours he got to see us before he had to leave. I’d give anything to have those times back.
Thank you, Dave. When Radar went home to Ottumwa, Iowa, he left his Teddy Bear. Near the end of the show's run they buried his bear in a time capsule, for "All the soldiers that came as boys, and left as men.
Like a lot of people, I like the early comedic seasons the best. Yet, one of my favorite episodes is when they shot the whole show from the POV of a wounded soldier who goes from the field on a chopper ride to the 4077 and all the way through the show meeting the various characters. Very original idea.
Very powerful episode. I felt that I was that wounded soldier. I remember trying to converse with Potter when he confided in "me" about his forgotten anniversary.
I liked both the early episode and the later ones, for different reasons. People have their preference and that's fine, but I think it's dumb to say they "ruined" the show. M*A*S*H ran for 11 years. Could you really take 11 years of Klinger-dressed-as-a-woman jokes? The show had to evolve. I loved Frank, and I will always love those episodes that he was in, but I will also acknowledge that Charles was a better *character*. Frank was basically one joke over and over, while Charles had more depth and was actually able to stand his own against the others. I often find it similar to the debate about the Beatles. Some people loved their early pop stuff and disliked their later work. When I was a kid I felt that way. But they had to evolve, just like the show had to evolve. Many to this day consider M*A*S*H one of the greatest shows ever produced. If they had continued telling the same jokes over and over for 11 years, that wouldn't be the case.
@Giada_De_Low_Rent_Tits when I was younger, I didn't like BJ and was upset that Trapper had left because he was much funnier. More recently, I introduced my son to M*A*S*H and was surprised that BJ was a lot funnier than I remembered, especially in his earlier episodes. Plus, BJ had more depth than "he tells jokes". Rewatching the episodes with Wayne Rogers (whom I still love) his character is in many ways "Hawkeye Lite".
I also loved Diff’rent Strokes when I was a kid, and knew about McLean Stevenson from him being in that series. It was great to finally see his work as Lt. Col. Henry Blake when I got to MASH on DVD. The one episode of the series that McLean Stevenson and Harry Morgan appear in real time together onscreen is “The General Flipped At Dawn,” the third season premiere.
My wife,Peggy Lee Brennan played Radar’s girlfriend in Hot Lips is Back in Town (season 7) and she’s now performing in her own show, ”From Broadway to Hollywood”, at the Hot Hits Theatre in Branson, MO. She’s amazing. It’s every Thursday thru Saturday through July 2020 at 5pm
I had the pleasure of meeting him a long time ago at a charity event. His quiet unassuming demeanor was refreshing. I told him “Radar” was an inspirational character that got me through some difficult times during high school. He thanked me and said it was his pleasure to meet me. A true gentleman
Actually...I'd point out that most of the folks that say Gary was a jerk claim to have heard it from someone else. I'll trust Joseph's comment over second hand information any day!
I remember Gary Burghoff saying in an interview, back in the day that he was Burnt out on his acting job It sounds like he made his millions and said I'm out of here! Good for Him.
@@LiveINtheGood53 I respect your preference, but for me, those later years of episodes were too serious and political. Alda overused the soapbox. Also the 11 to 12 year period of the episodes made it seem like the 3 year conflict was much longer than it was. That's just my opinion.
@@olerocker3470 Thank you and it's all good. I am showing my age too where I watched Mash when Sherman Potter took over and he was great in it. I liked Charles a lot too, and BJ was good also. I liked how Hot Lips was toned down and not as strict. Klinger I liked too more. Interesting about Alda. You are right because he was on a soapbox.
I've heard he was 'difficult' on the set. But then again, how happy would you be to see other characters on the show growing and becoming more complex, while six seasons in your character is still saying 'golly' and carrying around a teddy bear? He was starting to bald by his last season and they still had him playing the 19yr old Iowa virgin.
Never ever heard anything bad about Gary so idk where you're getting such false info from. Also Radar was a great character that Gary still loves. If you see a nice post he made on Ken Levine's blog you'd see how much love he still has for the character and Mash.
@@kendallrivers1119 Larry (Linville), Loretta, and Mike have said that Gary was very difficult to work with on the set, while one of the directors (can't remember if it was Hy Ackerback or Jackie Cooper) said he was always whining, complaining, bitching, acting like a diva, etc. Gary has admitted that at times (especially during Season Five), he grew a little irritable, but never showed any disrespect towards anyone on the set, cast or crew, and that he didn't even know why he felt the way he did.
Wow! I was just talking to a long time friend yesterday and the "It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?" ads came up in the conversation. I hadn't thought of those in years and now twice in as many days! Love your content and find it comforting at all times but especially now. Be well, Dave!
Radar was excellent person, todays world we need more radars, he always helped people on the show,he did everything, great person in real life as well. But the virus going on now, will need a radar in the world.
Very few episodes from that era I actually enjoyed. The most memorable one being "Hey, Look Me Over." Very kind of Alan Alda to have an episode featuring Nurse Kellye in the spotlight instead of in the background as usual. Sad that Kellye Nakahara Wallett passed away a few months ago...
@Jim McCracken LoL “became” - it always was. From jump it was a Vietnam war protest masquerading as entertainment. Took you a couple of seasons to notice?
One of my favourite shows. Must have seen every episode at least 10 times. Even taped recorded episodes so I could hear them on cassette. Respect to him for leaving show.
I did that too. We lived where we could get 2 TV stations that aired M*A*S*H in syndication, and they each edited different scenes out of the same episode(to put more ads in), so I'd tape an episode off both channels(eventually), then splice it together as one. Even then, there were countless scenes I NEVER SAW till I was watching the DVDs, decades later, lol.
This was definitely an enjoyable info about a series just about everyone watched back then. The early episodes were funny enough that my father, a Korean war vet, enjoyed watching it, and he wasn't the kinda guy who would watch any military war movies. Thanks Gary.
As much as I liked Radar, his leaving the show forced Jamie Farr's character, Klinger, to step up and fill the vast hole left by his absence. Not by completely changing his character or anything. But by taking his role in the camp more seriously. Sure, there were still some moments of him doing crazy things to get out of the army, but as someone who like the more grounded and serious direction the show was moving with the switch from Blake to Potter and Trapper to B. J., and then later Burns to Winchester, it helped cement that seriousness while still having a few moments of silly here and there the show was well known for. Radar, I love you, and glad you made the choice for your own well being. But I still love the last 4 to 5 seasons of the show as they seem more relatable. Not that the show didn't cover some serious topics. Hell, one of my favorite episodes involved the film crew that tried making the war into a movie with Hawkeye and Trapper doing their usual silliness as they ruin it only to turn around and leave it off with the heavy realism war brings. But the last few seasons, I dunno, made it seem more real.
I definitely noticed that in the first three seasons. Radar was definitely the one running the show. When Colonel Potter came in he was the one running things. Not Radar.
I liked that Radar left his teddy 🧸bear 🐻 behind when he went back home. He had to be the man of the family because his Uncle had a stroke, if I remember correctly!
My single most deeply imprinted memory of Burghoff in the role of Radar will always be the moment he enters the surgical theater and informs everyone that Col. Blake's chopper has been shot down, and there are no survivors. This moment truly showcased Gary's acting talent. His stunned, heartbroken, almost disbelieving delivery of the lines remains, to this day, one of the most incredibly heart-wrenching moments in television history.
@@jdsundstrom You are correct. The scene was dropped by the writers on the cast the day it was filmed. And, there was a technical problem with the scene, so it was recorded a second time, which is the one that was shown on that episode.
All the people who came to see the last episode and the crew were not told of any of this last scene until it happened The writers producers and so forth were sworn to secrecy. The only other person who was told was Alan Alda. The idea was to show a little bit more reality to war and it's effects, and to do that was something that would be a shock to the cast. The last page (the one scene) was removed from the rest of the script and they proceeded to shoot it. When they got done, Larry Gelbart calls the cast over and shows them the last page (right before they did it). One of the comments came from Larry Linville where he said "f*****g brilliant" and Gary Burghoff's response aimed at Mclaine Stevenson you'll probably win an emmy for this you S O B. Anyway, they shot the scene and it turned out that there were some technical glitches and they had to re-shoot it. It was on the second take that a scalpel fell off a tray. Perfect way to break the silence. It's been said that Mclaine Stevenson went off after that and cried for two hours. Before anyone gets serious about believing the negatives about Gary, check this out: ruclips.net/video/NjeNMm-0XFo/видео.html. I believe that we like to gossip about the negative in people, especially when it's people we don't know. What is in that video is not the horrible person that is suggested. Yes, maybe he had a temper from time to time, maybe it was because he was just getting burnt out. I would imagine that if he had been that problematic behind the scenes he would have been written out of the show long ago. If he was the pain that some people claim, there were other cast members that were as well. Many shows go through that. We can all go speculating all we want, but you can't really judge someone on one or two meetings with them.
I grew up watching MASH and continue watching the show today on Hulu. It really showed friendship and hope as one big family. Colonel Potter and Radar together were my favorites, but Klinger was the funniest. I still laugh at seeing him on the kite slowly flying through the air in a pink robe and big fluffy slippers.
Gary had been walking away from the show throughout his last two seasons. He'd worked out a deal in his renewed contract to continue for half a season. Hence the featuring of Jamie Farr's Klinger in the role as Radar's sub
I personally got to meet Gary Burghoff in Reno Nevada a coupleof times. He would set up at certain shows and paint and sell his paintings. He is a very quiet and humble man.
For me personally, mash was the first thing that made me say i want to be a doctor as a 12 year old. Now, as a med student and veteran i love the show even more. And ive always cherished radars outlook on life amd the diligence and trustworthyness that he displayed
Mash was my Dad’s Favorite TV Show, Dad didn’t like to watch Reruns but Mash he would watch it as much as possible, Dads name was Walter Eugene Orzolek when he was born, in 1922 and his older brother John Orzolek joined the Army in 1925 at the age of 15 and changed his last name to Roslick because he was underage and Uncle John served in the 3rd Calvary when they still had Horse’s 🐎 and Uncle John was a Show Horse Rider in FDR’s first Inaugural Parade, and soon after the Army took their Horse’s away and Uncle John was transfered to the Philippines 🇵🇭 to the 31st Inf Reg Co. E was there for over 5 years and he was shot at Mount Samat and died at Hospital #1’s retreated position and was buried April 6,1942 and when the Japanese took over Bataan they dug up all the graves and burned all the dead 💀 to ashes. So Uncle John is listed MIA. The VFW Post in Old Forge Pennsylvania is Named after Uncle John’s Birth Name but his Military Record’s are under 2nd Lt. John Roslick . Well dad was only 3 years old when his Brother joined the Army and Dad got Drafted into WWII in December 1942 and was made a Combat Medic because his brother was listed MIA, and while going for Military Training to be a Medic he and his buddies were asked to volunteer for Cadaver School and were made Surgical Tech’s in the 924th Field Artillery’ of the 99th Inf Div and were shipped to Europe for the Battle of the Bulge and the Roar Pocket. Dad told me he met his other brother Sargent Stanley Orzolek after crossing the Rhine River at the Romogan Bridge and he was suppose to be Discharged December 8,1941 but Pearl Harbor was Attacked and his orders were pulled. Out of a Family of 8 son’s only four served in WWII and one never came home, & a fifth brother served after VE-Day in 1946. They are all in Heaven together Now.
Back in those days people being under age was very comon my father joined up for the army he was only 15 he lied his age he was injured and a disabled veteran then he lied a second time & joined the marine corp he finished that and went in to being a structural iron worker (union all the way) pretty much everyone in my parents family were military includeing my oldest brother who was drafted & sent to vietnam! Alot of wonderful people who loved their country! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 freedom! Includeing my dads brother who recieved a purple heart! But when he came home everything changed because of the loss of his hand he couldn't deal with it & drank himself do death! We owe our soldiers every thing without them we wouldn't have the freedom we have! Thank you to all of the troops who fought for our freedom & our right's! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Patti Hainline My Older Brother was named after our Uncle who is listed MIA, our Uncle received a Battle Field Commission and a Bronze Star Medal 🎖 and a Purple Heart 💜 Cluster. My brother John got Drafted for the Vietnam War and was Stationed in a Radar Station 🚉 for Two Year’s in Alaska from 1966-1968. I had a Draft Card for the Vietnam 🇻🇳 War in 1973 and my random number was #027, but I failed 3rd Grade and my Senior Year of High School and didn’t graduate 🎓 till 1975 age 20 years old and I joined the Army in December 1982 and in Basic Training January 31-May 6,1983 I was in Basic Training at Fort Benning Georgia I got a Medical General Discharge after 6 months of service for I had late stages Hodgkins Lymphoma My younger brother is retired AirForce and his son is Honorable Discharge from Army three tours Afghanistan 🇦🇫 Iraq 🇮🇶 and Kuwait 🇰🇼.
I was four years old when MASH aired its series finale on February 28, 1983. My parents loved the series, and naturally watched “Goodbye, Farewell, And Amen.” The episode is so great, so wonderful. Even at four, Hawkeye’s chicken story was seared into my mind. Hawkeye’s chicken story, 4077th farewell speeches, and the word “Goodbye “ that B.J. spelled in stones for Hawkeye grabbed me, even then.
Gary was so good as Radar. Still one of my all time favorite shows. I do think the show got better when Wayne Rodgers left. Mike added a lot of heart as BJ and improved the show.
I saw Burghoff as Charlie Brown in the first run of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” when I was ten years old in 1967 when it played at Theater 80 in the East Village in New York City. In the summer of 1975 I met him on the set of M.A.S.H. when I was visiting friends in L.A. after I graduated from high school. We started singing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” when we met him! He acted as if he was pleased, but then, he was an actor, so who knows?
That is a fantastic story. Knowing what I have read about Burghoff and how mild mannered he was/is, I'm sure he appreciated that you remembered him from "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
"Mash" is a great show. We watch an episode or two every day. I really like Gary. I always wondered why he left and now that I know why, I respect him even more!
I never served in the military but think I encountered a Marine drill instructor. It was during the Marine Corps Marathon in 1992, in the Pentagon parking lot, around mile 23. I was really hurting, cramping in both legs. I saw a short man in the big brimmed hat yelling at everyone. Yelling like he had a bullhorn down his throat. His tone was angry but his words were very encouraging. It felt like he was yelling THROUGH me. I was about to walk but couldn't do it in his sight. So I fought on until I knew he couldn't see me. I finished and had my only sub-3 hour marathon.
The guy voicing this is acting like Gary was a saint. If you look at a lot of reviews from others....that was not the case. They say he was a pain in the backside.
@@jdsundstrom This is a great response! Also I had no idea about Gary's near tragedy with his family so I'm glad this video popped up in my recommendations!
I watched MASH growing up every day with my mom. When my dad took custody of me at 15 and I was forced to leave everything and everyone I had known my whole life and move out of state against my will I would watch MASH in my room every night and it made me feel like I was home with my family for a little while. I still watch MASH almost every single night as I go to sleep on Hulu . We just purchased our first home for our family after years of fighting hard to make it happen and MASH will be the first thing to play in our house because once again I will finally be HOME
Thanks for sharing your memories, Chris. It sounds like MASH got you through some pretty rough times. There are a couple of shows that are like that for me as well. Also, congrats on the new home purchase!
I came home from Viet Nam in late 1968. The MASH movie was a delight, and then came the TV Series. I had a regular meeting that conflicted with it, so I bought my first VCR so I could record it and watch it with my boys the next evening. It was such a joy, and I recorded all 254 episodes (257 30 minute segments) and then bought the 72 vhs tapes, and now I own all the DVDs. I am still a fan.
Thank you for expressing this great video about Gary. I am Bruce L Warden, a musician/producer/song-writer/CEO of WGE Music, ASCAP. In 1965/66, I met Gary at a practice session in Mike Wolfe's home in Beloit, WI, who was putting together a 5 piece show band. We had lost two drummer's to the draft to this point. Gary was our third and answer who joined that night. For the nest year, we did engagements in Southern WI, Lake Geneva, WI, & Northern IL where Gary played drums,did vocals, some comedy, and impressions, as part of the group's presentation called, "Mike Wolfe And the Sofistacats." When work started to get scarce, Gary, who resided in Delevan, Wi, but had been working in New York at a music publishing co, stated he wanted to go back to NYC but wanted myself and another person of the group to also go back with him. We could not do it due to families we had. Gary worked with me in a trio the last job at the Lake Lawn Resort on February 20, 1967, and then left for NYC. The next thing I knew was that he had got the lead on Broadway for Charlie Brown from our bass man. Gary was on his way. I want to add that Gary's stage present was the exact as you see him on MASH. He could do the innocent person so well because his personality was very close to his character in the TV Series. A real great friend, wonderful drummer, and a all-around showman. Thanks for Gary. I have missed you for many years! Bruce
I’ve seen every episode at least 20 times, at least…, as well as the original movie probably as many times. I’m lucky enough to have it on a local channel to this day- twice a day. A day does not go by that I don’t watch a couple episodes. MASH wouldn’tve been the same without Radar. Ever notice, even after he left, we still saw him in the opening as the choppers were coming in. He was an amazing actor and “made” you love him. To this day, even after seeing the episode dozens of times, I can’t help but cry in the episode when Col. Blake “went home…” As a MASH fan I’m sure you know the story behind that…. Thanks for sharing this.
Sonar was also the name of the character in the M*AS*H* parody, a cartoon show called M*U*S*H* (Mangy Unwanted Shabby Heroes), except the characters were all dogs.
I’m the second one lol. Yeah I watched that show from day 1. Loved them all. Radar was very unique for sure. Thank you so much for taking us down memory lane. The farewell movie I cried. God bless you. 👍🏼🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️
I remember watching this show as a kid... some of the jokes went right over my head then but that was OK. The characters were all lovable, specially Radar. I was sad when he left but now I know why. What a good man, he couldn't hide that fact when he did Radars part. I miss the old shows and sitcoms when they were wholesome and funny.
The best times in my life were to watch M*A*S*H with my dad in the evening. In South Dakota it came on at 6:30 right after the Wheel of Fortune. What wonderful memories I have of that time. I'll always treasure!
I'm a little surprised you didn't talk about Mr. Burghoff's role on _Match Game_ and _Match Game PM._ He was a genuine _cut-up_ alongside everyone else on those shows~!
The early cast was the funniest. With Trapper John, Henry Blake, Frank Burns, and Radar. The whole dynamic shifted to more serious and darker themes with the arrivals of B.J. Honeycutt, Charles Winchester, and colonel Potter. It was still a great show but they didn't have the chemistry of the early cast.
true, the changing is partly do to Alan Alda as he grew tired of Hawkeye going after every woman he sees and he loved the character but you can only do jokes on that for so long before they get stale so he had them chase women less than he did at the start of the show for example and i get that. i think early on they were fearful of doing the same jokes and i get that, and they wanted the show to be somewhat realistic and they i think succeeded in that. i enjoy the entire run to be honest but i dunno which era is my favorite to be honest
@Barbi I like it when it got serious sometimes. I'm not disagreeing with you g.w. bailey's character was a prick for example. And as much as I missed seeing klingler try and go home by wearing a dress they had by than did that joke far too long for example
Respectfully disagree (partly). The plots were less serious early on, which was all to the good, I agree. But IMHO, the characters of Colonel Potter, Major Winchester and (post-transvestite) Klinger were more three-dimensional than their predecessors, which I liked. Radar became much too naive and child-like (I absolutely despised the teddy bear), and Frank Burns was an out-and-out cartoon character (and dragged down the Hot Lips character with him). Maclean Stevenson as Henry Blake was good, but Harry Morgan as Potter was solid gold. Between Trapper and BJ, eh, I think it was a wash -- again, the BJ plots were too serious and, in some cases, repetitive.
I met Frank Burns once. He visited our town’s local college campus as part of an interview session tour he was doing. Interesting guy. Spoke about the filming, the actors, etc. Nice guy.
Larry Linville was the exact opposite of the character he played, Frank Burns. Larry confided in Loretta Switt that he just couldn’t handle being Frank Burns any longer, so he left.
@@georgesouthwick7000 He meant "Alan Alda". Even Alan's good friend Wayne Rogers couldn't handle working with him. So he left ... to preserve friendship.
To this day, this show is a must watch for me. The theme song livez on my memory at a split second i hear the first note. Everyone of them is my favorite. Growing up in Jamaica, this was the best show to watch in my house.
I hated Frank Burns. Almost everything the character did irked me. After watching several seasons, something occurred to me, I'm not sure, but I believe it would take a talented actor to play that character. Hawkeye was an easy character, he was always the popular character, but to play the part of Frank Burns had to be difficult. So, although I didn't like Frank Burns, I had some respect for Larry Linville for playing that part. BTW, Larry passed away on 4/10/2000.
I miss him. I appreciated the show he did for kids with special problems. He showed his hand, then showed us how amazing hhere is by playing the drums on Mash. I decided if he's could do it, I could too . I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at 14. I love him!!
I met "Radar" while shopping in Safeway as I was living in Paradise, CA. This was in 1997. He was as gentle in real life as in character on MASH.
Should have share a couple nehi's cool story
I didn't know Gary was from Cali Paradise s fire was so horrible, the lilac fires 2017 San Diego I lost our home fire is so devastating
Hhmm, I worked in an Edmonton store in about '81. He was so rude and mean to me. I just can't look at MASH the same way since. Which really sucks.
That must have been awesome. You know how radar got his teddy bear? He helped save a couple of children from a village and a young girl gave it to him. That's why it was so important to him. When he was having a rough time it was a reminder of why he was there. It wasn't so much about the bear but it was about that little girl. I rarely see a mash episode I haven't seen before but I caught that gem two weeks ago. It was extremely touching. In that context that teddy bear makes so much more sense now
Our accountant/banker failed to secure comprehensive homeowners insurance after a policy laps. We lost everything, i mean everything and have not rebounded mentally or financially. It's funny how life works, you grow up poor with dignity, make something of yourself and more,lose it all because some people are criminals and just suck in general, and find yourself in a worse spot than just "being poor".( yay Chipotle wifi)
I always loved the innocence that Radar brought to the show. He was a real paradox. On One hand, naive and young, yet mature and able to make very important decisions.
I was in the military. It was amazing the kind of responsibilities we were given in our age of early 20's.
@The S Word Still it is amazing to me we had such responsibilities at that age in comparison to civilian life.
oh god, i LOVE my MASH memories from childhood. i'd be in bed around 9ish, and i'd lie there in the dark, and i could hear the theme song drifting down the hall into my bedroom. my mom and dad watched it every night.
and the soft whishing of the dishwasher in the kitchen.
and everything was quiet and right with the world :)
even these days, at 41 years old, when i feel sad, nervous, or just can't sleep, i'll put on my MASH collection...and i'll be able to fall asleep in a little while. it's just cozy ;)
my mom and dad are both gone now, but that's one little thing i remember. and i remember feeling like everything was ok, and safe, and i could go to sleep feeling good.
thank you, MASH characters....thank you for those memories.
Thank you for sharing your memories!
Man that’s awesome! I have similar childhood memories and the older I get the more important they become, at least for me. Maybe it’s just a place for me to visit far beyond the currently troubled world. Mash was unparalleled.
Mam tak samo!!! 👍🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱
After the show when Henry Blake’s character was killed off I wrote Gary a letter and mailed it him c/o The Match Game and much to my surprise he wrote back. What a nice guy to care about a kid feelings upset over the death of a fictional character
How sweet is that?!
I always liked how he knew the helicopters were on the way before you could hear them. Also liked the episode where he got a horse for Col.Potter.( Col.Potter was an old horse soldier in WW1, and a big fan of horses.)
"... it spun in, there were no survivors."
Growing up I loved watching MASH every week. Radar was one of my favorites on the show. I also wrote him when he was still on the show. I didn’t think I would ever hear back, but he did send me a letter, such a great memory. Don’t know where the letter is anymore, probably stored in a file somewhere in the attic.
@@johnbockelie3899 It's a Horse Sir, Happy Birthday, and the name was Sophie.
That is the best I can remember, John, Australia.
PS There is a lot more to this/that episode, however you recall and that is just a portion of.
When Radar comes into the OR and says that Henry Blake's plane was shot down ... I Still cry when I see that scene.
Yeah. I can quote it from memory (but I won't 😊).
My favorite Radar bit is soon after when he tells Col. Potter to "stick that horn in your ear".
that was actually an add lib statement, gary made it up on the way to shoot the seen
Gary Burghoff undeniably a great actor. He played a loveable teenager for 11 years and was the only cast member to be in the movie and the show.
He became every young man caught in that meat grinder that did his job under fire, disease, and hardship.
jack crawford That was so horribly, terribly sad. We all cried when he said it....
@@rjonboy7608 Then I will
(Radar walks in to the O.R. looking shaken and distraught)
Trapper: "Radar put a mask on."
Hawkeye: "If that's my discharge give it to me straight, I can take it."
Radar: "I have a message. Lt. Colonel, Henry Blake's plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan. It spun in....there were no survivors." (Radar exhales and walks out)
Camera pans to the surgical personnel who are crying and in total shock. A surgical instrument drops and clangs to the floor. Hawkeye and Trapper were working together, look up, in tears.
The episode where the dude thought he was Jesus.....
Radar asked him to bless his teddy bear at the end
I think the name of the episode was, "Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler?", and was played by Alan Fudge.
Was that also the episode where you find out Radar's first name was Walter?
Great episode!
Radar looked at him like he saw Henry Blake all over again
"Bless you Radar"
"I'm Walter"
"Bless you Walter..... Bless all of you."
One of my most favorite Radar moments was when, during some ceremony, Maj. Burns ordered the firing of a canon (aimed in the direction of Radar) while Radar played the bugle. The shot took the bugle right out of Radar's hand, and his tempered fury and shock response was comedy gold.
What was Radar's response ?
@@dianefarina5881 he angrily tried to walk over to who fired the cannon, but was stopped by fellow soldiers and dragged away
That was great❣️
@@dianefarina5881 he was going to choke Igor!
Yea, love that scene!
I loved MASH since 1976, when I was 14, I'm now 58 and I still love it.
So do I, Saul. 1962 was a great year, wasn't it? 😎
Indeed it was! :)
Same here. Thankfully, in the UK the BBC refused to have the laugh track.
@@tommyinbremen1327 same age, it was a great year to be born!
@todd wth r u talking about. I was 14 in 76 AND I'm 58 now. Math much?
Radar was my favorite character. Specifically for his innocence and kindness
And his love of animals! 😄❤
Same
@@Jacks.Outback My favorite character was Maxwell Q Klinger. He had to be crazy to wear women dresses back then.
In real life he was a jerk and difficult to work with
@@alexanderplumb7320 He played that part brilliant.
I remember being surprised and stoked to find out Gary was a great drummer, and after I grew up and became an artist, I learned he was an absolutely amazing painter! Whatever Gary does, it seems he puts his heart and soul into the craft, and I very much admire it :) Thanks, Dave! Excellent video!
Hehe, the first episodes when Radar is secretly mailing himself home a Jeep; one part at a time. The best.
Love that episode!
drag line
Like Johnny Cash
@@12yearssober ..."Psycho-Billy Cadillac"...
I thought that was the supply sergeant from Louisiana that did that
Keith Bray Rizzo or something.
I grew up watching MASH. Now that it's on Disney +, I've started watching it again and when the end credit music plays I can almost hear my mom saying to me "OK, off to bed." Love the nostalgia factor but I'm saddened by how many of them are no longer with us. But I guess MASH makes them immortal in some ways.
Keep watching on Disney. The TV land versions are sliced with an extra 5 minutes of commercials on Tuesday and Wednesday, cutting out one program and ending at 7:45, and always, with each commercial length, stuck in there is an ad for Car Shield, with many different variations. Unwontedly, I've been forced to watch MASH, through TV Land's extended programming to squeeze in more commercials, with my teeth gritted in despair.
It was a very special show. Trying to be humorous against the back-drop of war. It was smart comedy.
i am up to season 7 on Disney... it is still one of my favorite shows...
@@CalBart42 Season 5 was the last good season. After that, it was hit or miss.
Man i gotta mash binge. My dad's been gone 14 years but I'll always remember watching mash and star trek ng reruns with him
My personal favorite with Radar is whenever Henry Blake is giving him instructions, Radar anticipates what he’s saying and they both wind up talking over each other.
Funniest part was when Henry would blow a gasket and say something like, "Radar! Stop saying what I'm thinking before I say it!"
@@bigsky1970 No, funniest is when they try to outsmart him. Like Frank did.
Frank: Hand me the ..."
Radar (hands him a folder): "...casualty report."
Frank: "Ye... no! I'm not the idiot you usually work for, you can't anticipate what I'm gonna say, hand me the "
Radar (hands him another folder)
Frank: "OP report... thank you".
Working at a CBS affiliate, I watched MASH several times a day for years. Two decades later, he hosted a telethon at yet another station where I worked. I was thrilled at the prospect of meeting him, but he was very unhappy. Perhaps his life was not that rewarding. This video is a tipoff that stardom is not always as glamorous as it might seem.
It started out as a comedy and ended as a drama. Although Harry Morgan made Col. Sherman T. Potter a M*A*S*H icon McLean Stephenson made Henry Blake the same. To me the first three seasons were the best, and who would have thunk Hawkeye and Margaret would have hooked up. I think in Goodbye, Farewell and Amen there should have been a scene of them riding off into the sunset together one last time before Hawkeye catching his flight. Without a doubt the most somber scene of the entire series was announcing Henry's death. It was well played with only Hawkeye and Radar knowing how Abyssinia, Henry would end was epic. The sound of the surgical instrument hitting the floor still lingers in my head. Cheers to the greatest TV series of all time.
Agree. I think the ones with Trapper were the best, and Henry was a hoot, but he could be serious. And I think Margaret should have hooked up with Trapper, he’s so much more her type, instead, but🤷♀️.
I met Gary at a birthday party for my neighbor in Paradise and found him to be a really friendly person. HE was living in Magalia at the time. Wonder if he lost his home in the Camp fire in 2018 as so many of us did! I
@@bettyrogers8467 You see, while Burghoff was away filming M*A*S*H, a California brush fire nearly claimed the lives of his wife and daughter. Fortunately, at the last moment, firefighters were able to stop the fire but not before it made its way onto Burghoff’s ranch property. Miraculously, the fire stopped just short of the family’s back door.
@@mangot589
I would have thought Winchester was more her type. An officer and refined, but not the wimpy mommy's boy Burns was. Although, Hawkeye did have that 'prank your crush' kind of thing going on with her too...
THat was the start of popular TV & movies that were both comedy & drama. A perfect example is Terms of Endearment, which won a couple of Oscars around the time. It's more reflective of real life, most of us neither live in a comedy or drama but somewhere in between.
Much different version of Gary's departure than I heard. I remember when he announced he was leaving the show, and some interviews that were done with both he and a few other cast members, after the fact. One was with Mike Farrell, who talked about how difficult Gary had become to work with, the last few seasons he was there. And Mike wasn't intentionally slandering Gary. Gary had a reputation of being difficult to work with on the show. The last few seasons, Gary had grown more frustrated on the show, as his character really didn't have any room to grow. This ultimately led to his decision to leave. Mike, along with some other cast members, talked to him and asked him to stay. We hear about the MASH curse now, after actors who had left had such a hard time with their acting careers afterwards. But at that time, they pointed out to him how McClean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers were having a tough time finding quality and long-standing work since MASH. Their tv and movie careers had faltered. But Gary chose to leave. We have a family friend who worked on MASH the last four years of the show. Over time, he would hear comments from cast, but mostly staff and crew had the air seemed somewhat fresher around the set, as if there was more room to breathe. And the reason what Gary wasn't there to create such unnecessary tension they often dealt with. It was also said Gary's difficulty came with his strive to deliver a good performance each episode. David Ogden Stiers brought some life to the show. He was so liked by everyone as a person, and everyone enjoyed working with the character of Winchester, though he was often the antagonist of the other characters. Some of you mention Larry Linville as Frank. I think it was both Alan Alda and Loretta Swit who pretty much said the same thing. And that was: everyone LOVED Larry Linville. But everyone HATED Frank Burns. And they were so sad to see Larry go, but they didn't miss Frank one bit, though they did Frank some justice in his ultimate departure. Some 4o years later, this is all water under the bridge. The cast members still alive, are still friends and still talk to each other. Alan Alda does a great podcast for his ClearAndVivid Foundation. Not quite a year ago, they did a podcast with Alan, Mike, Loretta, Gary, and Jamie Farr. Google it, as it's easy to find. About an hour long, and so fun listening to all of them talk to each other and reminisce about the show. And about the actors they worked with who are no longer with us. If you're a big MASH fan, you'll enjoy listening to it.
So sad that McLean Stevenson left MASH believing he could be the top banana in a show of his own. Some actors are destined to be second bananas because they serve that role so well. Imagine if Harvey Norman had left the Carol Burnett Show for a show of his own. As for Gary's reason for leaving MASH, one only needs to read several issues of TV Guide during the season of Gary's departure to discover that several of his fellow cast members were not happy with him personally. I happened to speak with Mike Farrell who was livid that these cast members chose to air their grievances against Gary anonymously in TV Guide.
This is some the same as my impression after reading a bit on the internet: While Burghoff was played a lovely character he was difficult at the set. And then it was the opposite with Linville.
Yeah, Larry Linville was said to be the polar opposite of Frank Burns. A genuinely nice guy. I read that Linville was ready to move on because the Burns character had become buffoonish and there was simply nowhere else to go with it. I saw an interview where a reporter asked Linville if he wished he had stayed, and worked with the writers on molding Frank Burns into a more compassionate character ( like Margaret Houlihan). Linville said, "What did you want me to become, Alan Alda?"
I heard that too about Gary B. and how much of an ass he was to work with on this show.
@The Mask , I don't know if you're referring to my post or one of the follow-up comments. If so, I appreciate it. I don't think anyone, including myself, was trying to out-do the video or steal its thunder. But when one of these videos doesn't quite match up with a lot of truth, or just gets misconstrued, you want to see a little justice done for the show's characters and the actors who played them. After all, there's an entire new generation of MASH fans who weren't even alive when the show went off the air. And having a friend that worked on the show, he was made aware of a lot of residual and collateral damage after Gary left the show, and how the actors as people were adjusting to that at the time. It's still interesting to me how Gary portrayed Radar in his farewell episode, as opposed to how he portrayed him before that. Especially for a character that was just on a few weeks of R&R. The show gave the character a good send-off, though a bit of a bittersweet one. But again, time heals all wounds and so much of this is water under the bridge these days. It's good that all of the actors still keep in touch with each other, and can reminisce with such joy. Any bad blood or ill-feelings have simply been forgotten. Baggage not worth holding onto.
Ehhhh, Radar was a much more complex character in the first few seasons. By season 5, they just made his character into a child.
I loved how he was scripted in the movie and first couple of seasons on TV.
@@randyemerson8407 I think that they tried to turn Radar into everyone's little brother, and when Gary left the show everyone felt a loss..
Randy Emerson he asked for the change since his original portrayal no longer worked with the direction the other characters went.
Yes, by the time he left, I couldn't stand the character anymore.
I always thought he got tired of playing a perpetually naive 19 year old. I mean by that point he had been shot, lost a man he looked up to as a father, fallen in and out of love. He would have changed to be the season veteran who the new 18 year olds coming into the camp would look up to.
When Gary Burghoff left the show, Jamie Farr's character was able to reach its full potential.
Although I'm not a fan of the show, one thing I will say for it is that it handled the remarkable cast changes with such ease. Some shows can (Barney Miller is another example) other shows plummet into nothingness when one member leaves. Only God knows why.
Henry Blake and Radar were great together, they really played off of each other amazingly. Comedic genius.
He was most definitely missed.
I still love to watch MASH, EVERTDAY!!!
I wish they would bring back everyone who is still with us, for a reunion. on the TODAY show on NBC in the morning. Love!!!
I watch it everyday myself. My 12 year old also watches it, love it! ❤️
My daughter was an Ordnance Specialist in the Army. After her Honorable Discharge, she was hired by KBR to go to Bagram Airfield. After she was done cleaning out minefields and caches of weapons and ammo found in schools, hospitals and other places, she was transferred to logistics. She got the nickname Radar. When troops called in for supplies she got it sent out ASAP. If she didn't have what they needed she knew who did and bypassed protocol and still got it sent out.
Thanks for sharing. Great story!
Fantastic :D thank you for sharing that :)
Very Cool 😎
M*A*S*H* is my all time favorite tv show. It is an emotional roller coaster ride, and I would agree, Dave, that Radar was indeed the heart and soul of the unit and show.
I do remember hearing, at one point, many, many, many moons ago, that Burghoff sometimes would vaunt himself to the producers of the show, saying something to the effect of "I've been with M*A*S*H* from the beginning...." if he had some disagreement with them. I don't know how true that report is. He's never struck me as that kind of guy.
I loved how, for a few episodes, they would show Radar's ability to keep up with LTC. Blake whenever Blake was giving orders, and Radar would instantaneously be citing acknowledgements, compliances, solutions, or the occasional snark...just like in the original film.
I loved how they handled Blake's final episode. As I understand it, nobody but McLean Stevenson knew that Blake was meeting his ultimate fate as he was flown from the unit to go home. Apparently, the producers just handed Gary an envelope, told him to read it, and then run with it, as they were shooting an already scripted scene in progress in the OR set. When Burghoff entered the room, one of the characters (I believe it was Hawkeye) notes Radar's demeanor, and responds with his usual wit. Then, Radar/Burghoff delivers the sad news. The resulting conclusion to that scene was heart-rending. One of the reasons I've always loved that show, and it remains, to this day, my all time favorite show.
Great video as always, Dave.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Martok! Great comments. I've also heard from others that GB wasn't always the easiest to work with.
@@jdsundstrom Thanks, Dave. I always like watching your videos about some of our favorite, or perhaps even favorite, forgotten actors/ actresses.
My two favorite characters from this show were Maj. Charles Winchester III, and Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. Winchester, despite his pompous, blue-blood demeanor at the start of his service with the 4077th, always.... *always* did yhe right thing... rules, regs, and rank be damned. He quickly became "one of the fellas". Margaret became a much better character after Maj. Burns (awesomely played by Larry Linville) left the unit, and I fell in love with her, even as a kid.
Ya know, I gotta say that growing up in Utah, myself. I also enjoyed watching M.A.S.H. every night. It's still one of my favorite television shows. I can remember KSL going right to M.A.S.H. right after the news. And other times during the day it would be on. If I remember right it was KSTU in the afternoon when I got home from school. Thanks for posting this video. I too remember reading about what had happened with Gary Burghoff before he left the show. It was a somewhat big story in Hollywood at the time. Now ya got me wanting to go pull one of my DVD's of M.A.S.H.and watch an episode or two. Thanks again.
God bless you and your family Gary. Thankyou for ALL of the memories. You made the right decision for your family.
our whole family would stay up just to watch MASH together i honestly can say as a child it was my favorite show thank you for making this video
You're welcome! And, thank you for sharing your memories, Dennis!
Radar is my favorite!!! When I was four, I received a teddy bear as a gift from family. I named him Radar, due to Gary's character, and his love for his teddy. 42 years later, that teddy is STILL part of my household.
Another reason he left "M*A*S*H" was because , at 36, he thought he was getting too old to play a character half his age. I don't acknowledge the sequels or spinoffs that were centered around Radar. I prefer to think that Radar married that nurse from Missouri that he met in Tokyo back home in the States and the two of them moved to Chicago. ☺
I always loved that episode where Radar and the nurse fall in love at the terminal. I really like the idea you propose.
Definitely was better with Radar. But Klinger did almost illegal stuff to get supplies. With Radar it was more connections. Grape Nehi forever!
"the army is full of con artists" the investigator said in the episode where Klinger was accused of stealing a camera
At the time, I never realized how much Burghoff really contributed to the show until he was no longer in it.
When I was stationed in Korea, as an ambulance driver I made numerous trips to Ujombu where 43rd MASH was at. Behind the front desk was a giant group photo of the MASH cast members and I took a photo of it.
Thank you so much for your service and the anecdote.
As a kid, we watched every episode. It was a sad day when the last episide played. At the time, M.A.S.H. was the longest running T.V. show at the time running 11 seasons. I've watched it ever since it went into syndication, and still watch it now...
I'm 51, and I watched M*A*S*H as a kid because it was an "Army" show. Now I look at it as what it really was an "Anti-war" show. I still enjoy it, and understand some of the medical stuff, because I became a Fire Fighter and Medical First Responder in my 30s.
I don’t think your numbers are quite right. GUNSMOKE was in it’s 17th season when MASH began and ran another 3 years to total 20 years.
@@timoj24 On top of that, GUNSMOKE was a hit radio show for three years before it jumped to tv. It ran as both a tv and radio show simultaneously for six years, then as only a tv show for fourteen years, for a combined total of twenty-nine years of GUNSMOKE.
I remember watching the reruns with my dad in the afternoons in the early to mid 80s. My sis and I would get home from school, and he’d have gotten up to work a midnight at the FCC monitoring station. I didn’t understand or realize at the time, but it was important. That brief few hours he got to see us before he had to leave.
I’d give anything to have those times back.
Thanks for sharing your memories, Kokopilau77!
Does Gary still own/or live in an RV Encampment in Citrus County, Fl??
Radar was PRECIOUS!!!! Can't imagine MASH without him!!!!
Thank you, Dave. When Radar went home to Ottumwa, Iowa, he left his Teddy Bear. Near the end of the show's run they buried his bear in a time capsule, for "All the soldiers that came as boys, and left as men.
I remember hearing something about the time capsule...but that's about it. Thanks for the additional info, Mark!
@@jdsundstrom I believe it was the last regular episode before the two hour finale
It is the episode is titled "As Time Goes By"
Worst part is the capsule was dug up just months later by a construction worker who could care less about it.
Like a lot of people, I like the early comedic seasons the best. Yet, one of my favorite episodes is when they shot the whole show from the POV of a wounded soldier who goes from the field on a chopper ride to the 4077 and all the way through the show meeting the various characters. Very original idea.
Very powerful episode. I felt that I was that wounded soldier. I remember trying to converse with Potter when he confided in "me" about his forgotten anniversary.
fazole, that's when Alda started ruining the show.
Giada_De_Low_Rent_. After Larry Linville and Gary Burghoff left, this show became unwatchable
I liked both the early episode and the later ones, for different reasons. People have their preference and that's fine, but I think it's dumb to say they "ruined" the show.
M*A*S*H ran for 11 years. Could you really take 11 years of Klinger-dressed-as-a-woman jokes? The show had to evolve. I loved Frank, and I will always love those episodes that he was in, but I will also acknowledge that Charles was a better *character*. Frank was basically one joke over and over, while Charles had more depth and was actually able to stand his own against the others.
I often find it similar to the debate about the Beatles. Some people loved their early pop stuff and disliked their later work. When I was a kid I felt that way. But they had to evolve, just like the show had to evolve. Many to this day consider M*A*S*H one of the greatest shows ever produced. If they had continued telling the same jokes over and over for 11 years, that wouldn't be the case.
@Giada_De_Low_Rent_Tits when I was younger, I didn't like BJ and was upset that Trapper had left because he was much funnier.
More recently, I introduced my son to M*A*S*H and was surprised that BJ was a lot funnier than I remembered, especially in his earlier episodes. Plus, BJ had more depth than "he tells jokes". Rewatching the episodes with Wayne Rogers (whom I still love) his character is in many ways "Hawkeye Lite".
I also loved Diff’rent Strokes when I was a kid, and knew about McLean Stevenson from him being in that series. It was great to finally see his work as Lt. Col. Henry Blake when I got to MASH on DVD. The one episode of the series that McLean Stevenson and Harry Morgan appear in real time together onscreen is “The General Flipped At Dawn,” the third season premiere.
My wife,Peggy Lee Brennan played Radar’s girlfriend in Hot Lips is Back in Town (season 7) and she’s now performing in her own show, ”From Broadway to Hollywood”, at the Hot Hits Theatre in Branson, MO. She’s amazing. It’s every Thursday thru Saturday through July 2020 at 5pm
I remember that character on Mash. Cute character and young lady then.
Was she the one Radar needed the crash course in sophistication from Hawkeye?
Aaaaah Baaach! Lol
This could be a reason why America leads the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Social Distancing People!
It was the early ‘90s and I was13 when I got into M*A*S*H and I was obsessed with it. I still watch it every day now.
You sound so truthful and real. Thank you for sharing your memories...............
You are so welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Roger!
I had the pleasure of meeting him a long time ago at a charity event. His quiet unassuming demeanor was refreshing. I told him “Radar” was an inspirational character that got me through some difficult times during high school. He thanked me and said it was his pleasure to meet me. A true gentleman
Actually...I'd point out that most of the folks that say Gary was a jerk claim to have heard it from someone else. I'll trust Joseph's comment over second hand information any day!
I loved the rare diamonds when Col. Flagg was giving it to poor Radar - talk about two worlds clashing! Priceless!!
I was working at a liquor store in Louisville Kentucky when radar come in to buy some product. He was quiet, and seem like a nice person.
Thanks for sharing!
This guy should be narrating children's books or something. He has a unique vocal quality.
Thanks r. hobi!
r. hobi...unfortunately he doesn't have a famous name as celebrities who narrat in cartoons etc...
I thought you were talking about Gary Burghoff, lol but yea, this guy too
I know right
Agreed
I remember Gary Burghoff saying in an interview, back in the day that he was Burnt out on his acting job
It sounds like he made his millions and said I'm out of here!
Good for Him.
M*A*S*H was great in those first years with Blake and Trapper.
wow, its cool, but I like the Sherman Potter years much better. :)
@@LiveINtheGood53 I respect your preference, but for me, those later years of episodes were too serious and political. Alda overused the soapbox. Also the 11 to 12 year period of the episodes made it seem like the 3 year conflict was much longer than it was.
That's just my opinion.
@@olerocker3470 Thank you and it's all good. I am showing my age too where I watched Mash when Sherman Potter took over and he was great in it. I liked Charles a lot too, and BJ was good also. I liked how Hot Lips was toned down and not as strict. Klinger I liked too more. Interesting about Alda. You are right because he was on a soapbox.
Two different styles the first crew was more slap stick laugh a minute second crew more serious at times I loved them both
I guess I'm in the minority because I love Potter and Honeycut the best
I've heard he was 'difficult' on the set. But then again, how happy would you be to see other characters on the show growing and becoming more complex, while six seasons in your character is still saying 'golly' and carrying around a teddy bear? He was starting to bald by his last season and they still had him playing the 19yr old Iowa virgin.
The show lasted 5 times longer than the war it was set in.
Never ever heard anything bad about Gary so idk where you're getting such false info from. Also Radar was a great character that Gary still loves. If you see a nice post he made on Ken Levine's blog you'd see how much love he still has for the character and Mash.
@@chrisparkes2179 All those things had to happen almost every day.
@@kendallrivers1119 Larry (Linville), Loretta, and Mike have said that Gary was very difficult to work with on the set, while one of the directors (can't remember if it was Hy Ackerback or Jackie Cooper) said he was always whining, complaining, bitching, acting like a diva, etc. Gary has admitted that at times (especially during Season Five), he grew a little irritable, but never showed any disrespect towards anyone on the set, cast or crew, and that he didn't even know why he felt the way he did.
@@kendallrivers1119 So, because what he heard doesn’t agree with your belief, it is false information? Wow
I have lots of memories of MASH as a kid. im glad they are still showing reruns to this day
its on hulu
Wow! I was just talking to a long time friend yesterday and the "It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?" ads came up in the conversation. I hadn't thought of those in years and now twice in as many days! Love your content and find it comforting at all times but especially now. Be well, Dave!
Thanks for the kind words, Celia!
Radar was excellent person, todays world we need more radars, he always helped people on the show,he did everything, great person in real life as well. But the virus going on now, will need a radar in the world.
The last 3yrs of M.A.S.H. sucked....Hawk Eye's preaching became insufferable.
Very few episodes from that era I actually enjoyed. The most memorable one being "Hey, Look Me Over." Very kind of Alan Alda to have an episode featuring Nurse Kellye in the spotlight instead of in the background as usual. Sad that Kellye Nakahara Wallett passed away a few months ago...
The show & characters became drab & boring. Cpl. Klinger stopped cross dressing. Hawkeye stopped calling Maj. Houlihan "Hotlips."
@Jim McCracken LoL “became” - it always was. From jump it was a Vietnam war protest masquerading as entertainment. Took you a couple of seasons to notice?
Fully agree. Hawkeyes whining and preaching turned me off. Winchester was the only character who was still funny
@@gazorpazorp9798 It was the Korean War which preceded the Vietnam War.
Tried to watch every episode because I loved the show. Now that it's in reruns, I have still watched M*A*S*H* every time it is on.
One of my favourite shows. Must have seen every episode at least 10 times.
Even taped recorded episodes so I could hear them on cassette.
Respect to him for leaving show.
I did that too. We lived where we could get 2 TV stations that aired M*A*S*H in syndication, and they each edited different scenes out of the same episode(to put more ads in), so I'd tape an episode off both channels(eventually), then splice it together as one. Even then, there were countless scenes I NEVER SAW till I was watching the DVDs, decades later, lol.
Great show and Gary was great part of it . Can't get enough of the old MASH reruns . This is one show that I hope will live on forever.
It's my favorite TV show of all time.
@@LoneLee2022 Same Here !
@@williambyham3674 I've seen every episode at least 50 times.
@@LoneLee2022 Dang , only about 49 for me 😲
@@williambyham3674 There's still time............they say it's on TV somewhere in the world 24/7/365.
This was definitely an enjoyable info about a series just about everyone watched back then. The early episodes were funny enough that my father, a Korean war vet, enjoyed watching it, and he wasn't the kinda guy who would watch any military war movies. Thanks Gary.
As much as I liked Radar, his leaving the show forced Jamie Farr's character, Klinger, to step up and fill the vast hole left by his absence. Not by completely changing his character or anything. But by taking his role in the camp more seriously. Sure, there were still some moments of him doing crazy things to get out of the army, but as someone who like the more grounded and serious direction the show was moving with the switch from Blake to Potter and Trapper to B. J., and then later Burns to Winchester, it helped cement that seriousness while still having a few moments of silly here and there the show was well known for.
Radar, I love you, and glad you made the choice for your own well being. But I still love the last 4 to 5 seasons of the show as they seem more relatable. Not that the show didn't cover some serious topics. Hell, one of my favorite episodes involved the film crew that tried making the war into a movie with Hawkeye and Trapper doing their usual silliness as they ruin it only to turn around and leave it off with the heavy realism war brings.
But the last few seasons, I dunno, made it seem more real.
He definitely held the show together. He was pretty funny the way he did things. Colonel Henry Blake didn't run the unit, Radar did. 😀
Have you ever thought of doing something on Lenny and Squiggy from Laverne & Shirley? People don't talk to much about them guys anymore.
I definitely noticed that in the first three seasons. Radar was definitely the one running the show. When Colonel Potter came in he was the one running things. Not Radar.
Dave from Maine, being retired military, I can say that's not too far from the truth if not the truth a lot of times.
I liked that Radar left his teddy 🧸bear 🐻 behind when he went back home. He had to be the man of the family because his Uncle had a stroke, if I remember correctly!
My single most deeply imprinted memory of Burghoff in the role of Radar will always be the moment he enters the surgical theater and informs everyone that Col. Blake's chopper has been shot down, and there are no survivors. This moment truly showcased Gary's acting talent. His stunned, heartbroken, almost disbelieving delivery of the lines remains, to this day, one of the most incredibly heart-wrenching moments in television history.
Agreed. From what I understand, no one in the cast knew that scene even existed before it was filmed.
It was a plane , not a chopper , I belive .
Great scene .
Robert Murdock An airplane over the Sea of Japan.
@@jdsundstrom You are correct. The scene was dropped by the writers on the cast the day it was filmed. And, there was a technical problem with the scene, so it was recorded a second time, which is the one that was shown on that episode.
All the people who came to see the last episode and the crew were not told of any of this last scene until it happened The writers producers and so forth were sworn to secrecy. The only other person who was told was Alan Alda. The idea was to show a little bit more reality to war and it's effects, and to do that was something that would be a shock to the cast. The last page (the one scene) was removed from the rest of the script and they proceeded to shoot it. When they got done, Larry Gelbart calls the cast over and shows them the last page (right before they did it). One of the comments came from Larry Linville where he said "f*****g brilliant" and Gary Burghoff's response aimed at Mclaine Stevenson you'll probably win an emmy for this you S O B. Anyway, they shot the scene and it turned out that there were some technical glitches and they had to re-shoot it. It was on the second take that a scalpel fell off a tray. Perfect way to break the silence. It's been said that Mclaine Stevenson went off after that and cried for two hours. Before anyone gets serious about believing the negatives about Gary, check this out: ruclips.net/video/NjeNMm-0XFo/видео.html. I believe that we like to gossip about the negative in people, especially when it's people we don't know. What is in that video is not the horrible person that is suggested. Yes, maybe he had a temper from time to time, maybe it was because he was just getting burnt out. I would imagine that if he had been that problematic behind the scenes he would have been written out of the show long ago. If he was the pain that some people claim, there were other cast members that were as well. Many shows go through that. We can all go speculating all we want, but you can't really judge someone on one or two meetings with them.
I grew up watching MASH and continue watching the show today on Hulu. It really showed friendship and hope as one big family. Colonel Potter and Radar together were my favorites, but Klinger was the funniest. I still laugh at seeing him on the kite slowly flying through the air in a pink robe and big fluffy slippers.
A big red bird with fuzzy pink feet! 😂
Gary had been walking away from the show throughout his last two seasons. He'd worked out a deal in his renewed contract to continue for half a season. Hence the featuring of Jamie Farr's Klinger in the role as Radar's sub
I was always curious why he left the show. I really enjoyed the character.
I personally got to meet Gary Burghoff in Reno Nevada a coupleof times. He would set up at certain shows and paint and sell his paintings.
He is a very quiet and humble man.
It was never as good after Radar left.
I was glad they didn't introduce a new character. They made Klinger more believable as the new company clerk. (And all-but-abandon the dress gags!)
Could say he fell off the map
@@l.salisbury1253 I always felt that the Max Klinger character was not believeable because Jamie Farr is the worst actor in the history of show biz.
For me personally, mash was the first thing that made me say i want to be a doctor as a 12 year old. Now, as a med student and veteran i love the show even more. And ive always cherished radars outlook on life amd the diligence and trustworthyness that he displayed
This is great! Awesome video and it really hits home for me in a way because I grew up watching Mash re-runs on KSl in the 90s. Good times.
Mash was my Dad’s Favorite TV Show, Dad didn’t like to watch Reruns but Mash he would watch it as much as possible, Dads name was Walter Eugene Orzolek when he was born, in 1922 and his older brother John Orzolek joined the Army in 1925 at the age of 15 and changed his last name to Roslick because he was underage and Uncle John served in the 3rd Calvary when they still had Horse’s 🐎 and Uncle John was a Show Horse Rider in FDR’s first Inaugural Parade, and soon after the Army took their Horse’s away and Uncle John was transfered to the Philippines 🇵🇭 to the 31st Inf Reg Co. E was there for over 5 years and he was shot at Mount Samat and died at Hospital #1’s retreated position and was buried April 6,1942 and when the Japanese took over Bataan they dug up all the graves and burned all the dead 💀 to ashes. So Uncle John is listed MIA. The VFW Post in Old Forge Pennsylvania is Named after Uncle John’s Birth Name but his Military Record’s are under 2nd Lt. John Roslick . Well dad was only 3 years old when his Brother joined the Army and Dad got Drafted into WWII in December 1942 and was made a Combat Medic because his brother was listed MIA, and while going for Military Training to be a Medic he and his buddies were asked to volunteer for Cadaver School and were made Surgical Tech’s in the 924th Field Artillery’ of the 99th Inf Div and were shipped to Europe for the Battle of the Bulge and the Roar Pocket. Dad told me he met his other brother Sargent Stanley Orzolek after crossing the Rhine River at the Romogan Bridge and he was suppose to be Discharged December 8,1941 but Pearl Harbor was Attacked and his orders were pulled. Out of a Family of 8 son’s only four served in WWII and one never came home, & a fifth brother served after VE-Day in 1946. They are all in Heaven together Now.
Bless them all. Thank you for sharing.
Back in those days people being under age was very comon my father joined up for the army he was only 15 he lied his age he was injured and a disabled veteran then he lied a second time & joined the marine corp he finished that and went in to being a structural iron worker (union all the way) pretty much everyone in my parents family were military includeing my oldest brother who was drafted & sent to vietnam! Alot of wonderful people who loved their country! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 freedom! Includeing my dads brother who recieved a purple heart! But when he came home everything changed because of the loss of his hand he couldn't deal with it & drank himself do death! We owe our soldiers every thing without them we wouldn't have the freedom we have! Thank you to all of the troops who fought for our freedom & our right's! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing your memories, Michael!
@@pattihainline1573 I get the feeling he was never a Boy Scout? ;)
Patti Hainline My Older Brother was named after our Uncle who is listed MIA, our Uncle received a Battle Field Commission and a Bronze Star Medal 🎖 and a Purple Heart 💜 Cluster.
My brother John got Drafted for the Vietnam War and was Stationed in a Radar Station 🚉 for Two Year’s in Alaska from 1966-1968. I had a Draft Card for the Vietnam 🇻🇳 War in 1973 and my random number was #027, but I failed 3rd Grade and my Senior Year of High School and didn’t graduate 🎓 till 1975 age 20 years old and I joined the Army in December 1982 and in Basic Training January 31-May 6,1983 I was in Basic Training at Fort Benning Georgia I got a Medical General Discharge after 6 months of service for I had late stages Hodgkins Lymphoma
My younger brother is retired AirForce and his son is Honorable Discharge from Army three tours Afghanistan 🇦🇫 Iraq 🇮🇶 and Kuwait 🇰🇼.
I was four years old when MASH aired its series finale on February 28, 1983. My parents loved the series, and naturally watched “Goodbye, Farewell, And Amen.” The episode is so great, so wonderful. Even at four, Hawkeye’s chicken story was seared into my mind. Hawkeye’s chicken story, 4077th farewell speeches, and the word “Goodbye “ that B.J. spelled in stones for Hawkeye grabbed me, even then.
Thanks for sharing, Nick!
You’re welcome!!
Total respect for putting his family first 👏👏👏👏👏
Gary was so good as Radar. Still one of my all time favorite shows. I do think the show got better when Wayne Rodgers left. Mike added a lot of heart as BJ and improved the show.
I saw Burghoff as Charlie Brown in the first run of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” when I was ten years old in 1967 when it played at Theater 80 in the East Village in New York City. In the summer of 1975 I met him on the set of M.A.S.H. when I was visiting friends in L.A. after I graduated from high school. We started singing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” when we met him! He acted as if he was pleased, but then, he was an actor, so who knows?
That is a fantastic story. Knowing what I have read about Burghoff and how mild mannered he was/is, I'm sure he appreciated that you remembered him from "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
I loved Radar, he was my favorite. So loving and caring especially with animals. ❤️
"Mash" is a great show. We watch an episode or two every day. I really like Gary. I always wondered why he left and now that I know why, I respect him even more!
Yes me too! Dave has given us...the REST of the story here.
@@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles Yes! He told us "the rest of the story" just like Paul Harvey 😃
hogan's heroes is better.
seen mash all episodes at least 4 times.
@@commentfreely5443 Hogan's Heroes is great too! I watch it on MeTV.
I love that show to this day they still run it on TV land. I never knew why Gary left the show. I thank you for telling us why Gary left the show.
Sadly though tvland at least time I watched it doesn't show the uncut episodes of M*a*s*h.
They now showing on METV at 7pm/6pm.
I never served in the military but think I encountered a Marine drill instructor. It was during the Marine Corps Marathon in 1992, in the Pentagon parking lot, around mile 23. I was really hurting, cramping in both legs. I saw a short man in the big brimmed hat yelling at everyone. Yelling like he had a bullhorn down his throat. His tone was angry but his words were very encouraging. It felt like he was yelling THROUGH me. I was about to walk but couldn't do it in his sight. So I fought on until I knew he couldn't see me. I finished and had my only sub-3 hour marathon.
A sub-3 marathon! Nicely done! I've done many marathons but ONLY ONE has been sub-5. I know, I'm slow! 🙂
@@jdsundstrom Not sure what happened, but my comment was attached to the wrong video. Sorry for the confusion.
@@tamonicus No worries. I enjoyed reading your comment nonetheless!
The guy voicing this is acting like Gary was a saint. If you look at a lot of reviews from others....that was not the case. They say he was a pain in the backside.
It's true. I tend to focus on the good in people.
@@jdsundstrom This is a great response! Also I had no idea about Gary's near tragedy with his family so I'm glad this video popped up in my recommendations!
In fairness, quite a few saints were known to be a real pain in the backside, too, but are still widely revered.
The character of Radar really was the glue in that show .
Totally agree!
I wish Frank burns made a guest star appearance in the time capsule wpisode
Duncan D McGrath I think Radar was the one absence everyone felt.
Nah. The only character who the show could not have survived without was Hawkeye.
@@GeraBrown And Henry Blake.
I watched MASH growing up every day with my mom. When my dad took custody of me at 15 and I was forced to leave everything and everyone I had known my whole life and move out of state against my will I would watch MASH in my room every night and it made me feel like I was home with my family for a little while. I still watch MASH almost every single night as I go to sleep on Hulu . We just purchased our first home for our family after years of fighting hard to make it happen and MASH will be the first thing to play in our house because once again I will finally be HOME
Thanks for sharing your memories, Chris. It sounds like MASH got you through some pretty rough times. There are a couple of shows that are like that for me as well. Also, congrats on the new home purchase!
Just to let you know it's on Me tv every night at 7pm
The story I heard was that Gary Burghoff wanted to stay, but the teddy bear insisted on leaving. The 2 worked as a team.
Thats some funny stuff there
...now you're just making things up.
It's obvious, his ex wife was jealous of the bear.
LOL
Then why did he leave his 2nd teddy bear behind. The first he gave as a present at the unauthorized briss
That story about watching MASH at 10:00pm before bedtime is exactly what we did in my hometown in Canada.
In my home town in Ontario same thing lol..
I came home from Viet Nam in late 1968. The MASH movie was a delight, and then came the TV Series. I had a regular meeting that conflicted with it, so I bought my first VCR so I could record it and watch it with my boys the next evening. It was such a joy, and I recorded all 254 episodes (257 30 minute segments) and then bought the 72 vhs tapes, and now I own all the DVDs. I am still a fan.
I remember the rumor mill at the time. Stating that he was fired from the show for being a prima donna. That he and most of the cast didn't get along.
Thats what I heard. If he didn't get his way he would walk. A No.1 Prick. Last I heard he was the guest speaker at supermarket openings.
"Honey, I'm quitting my career to spend time with you and our daughter"
well that went well
Thank you for expressing this great video about Gary. I am Bruce L Warden, a musician/producer/song-writer/CEO of WGE Music, ASCAP. In 1965/66, I met Gary at a practice session in Mike Wolfe's home in Beloit, WI, who was putting together a 5 piece show band. We had lost two drummer's to the draft to this point. Gary was our third and answer who joined that night. For the nest year, we did engagements in Southern WI, Lake Geneva, WI, & Northern IL where Gary played drums,did vocals, some comedy, and impressions, as part of the group's presentation called, "Mike Wolfe And the Sofistacats." When work started to get scarce, Gary, who resided in Delevan, Wi, but had been working in New York at a music publishing co, stated he wanted to go back to NYC but wanted myself and another person of the group to also go back with him. We could not do it due to families we had. Gary worked with me in a trio the last job at the Lake Lawn Resort on February 20, 1967, and then left for NYC. The next thing I knew was that he had got the lead on Broadway for Charlie Brown from our bass man. Gary was on his way. I want to add that Gary's stage present was the exact as you see him on MASH. He could do the innocent person so well because his personality was very close to his character in the TV Series. A real great friend, wonderful drummer, and a all-around showman. Thanks for Gary. I have missed you for many years! Bruce
I remember that “parents do you know where your children are?” I forgot all about that until I saw this.
Channel 30 the CBS then ABC affiliate in Fresno CA said that except it was 11:00 pm not 10:00 pm.
@@miggans21012 I very well remember that. Grew up in the central valley and the Fresno TV stations.
Everyone needs a RADAR in there life.
Very true!
I’ve seen every episode at least 20 times, at least…, as well as the original movie probably as many times. I’m lucky enough to have it on a local channel to this day- twice a day. A day does not go by that I don’t watch a couple episodes. MASH wouldn’tve been the same without Radar. Ever notice, even after he left, we still saw him in the opening as the choppers were coming in. He was an amazing actor and “made” you love him. To this day, even after seeing the episode dozens of times, I can’t help but cry in the episode when Col. Blake “went home…” As a MASH fan I’m sure you know the story behind that…. Thanks for sharing this.
I liked Mad Magazine's parody of M*A*S*H
where RADAR became SONAR.🤣
...Sonar was my nickname on my highschool football team (it's along story why)...
...the Mad Magazine parody was one of my favorites...
Sonar was also the name of the character in the M*AS*H* parody, a cartoon show called M*U*S*H* (Mangy Unwanted Shabby Heroes), except the characters were all dogs.
@@panowa8319 I don't recall ever seeing it, but thanks!
Sonar is his son, Miles. Miles is a professional Bass fisherman.
I wasn’t alive when this show was first aired but I remember watching reruns with my great grandmother before she passed
I loved Radar better when Henry was CO. I hated what they did to his character in later seasons.
I’m the second one lol. Yeah I watched that show from day 1. Loved them all. Radar was very unique for sure. Thank you so much for taking us down memory lane. The farewell movie I cried. God bless you. 👍🏼🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Gloria!
I remember watching this show as a kid... some of the jokes went right over my head then but that was OK. The characters were all lovable, specially Radar. I was sad when he left but now I know why. What a good man, he couldn't hide that fact when he did Radars part. I miss the old shows and sitcoms when they were wholesome and funny.
The best times in my life were to watch M*A*S*H with my dad in the evening. In South Dakota it came on at 6:30 right after the Wheel of Fortune. What wonderful memories I have of that time. I'll always treasure!
I'm a little surprised you didn't talk about Mr. Burghoff's role on _Match Game_ and _Match Game PM._ He was a genuine _cut-up_ alongside everyone else on those shows~!
The early cast was the funniest. With Trapper John, Henry Blake, Frank Burns, and Radar. The whole dynamic shifted to more serious and darker themes with the arrivals of B.J. Honeycutt, Charles Winchester, and colonel Potter. It was still a great show but they didn't have the chemistry of the early cast.
"Frank Burns Eats Worms!" - English 101
true, the changing is partly do to Alan Alda as he grew tired of Hawkeye going after every woman he sees and he loved the character but you can only do jokes on that for so long before they get stale so he had them chase women less than he did at the start of the show for example and i get that. i think early on they were fearful of doing the same jokes and i get that, and they wanted the show to be somewhat realistic and they i think succeeded in that. i enjoy the entire run to be honest but i dunno which era is my favorite to be honest
@Barbi I like it when it got serious sometimes. I'm not disagreeing with you g.w. bailey's character was a prick for example. And as much as I missed seeing klingler try and go home by wearing a dress they had by than did that joke far too long for example
Absolutely agree about the early cast. Once Henry dies, (spoiler alert) I stop watching until it starts over & Henry's back...over & over!
Respectfully disagree (partly). The plots were less serious early on, which was all to the good, I agree. But IMHO, the characters of Colonel Potter, Major Winchester and (post-transvestite) Klinger were more three-dimensional than their predecessors, which I liked. Radar became much too naive and child-like (I absolutely despised the teddy bear), and Frank Burns was an out-and-out cartoon character (and dragged down the Hot Lips character with him). Maclean Stevenson as Henry Blake was good, but Harry Morgan as Potter was solid gold. Between Trapper and BJ, eh, I think it was a wash -- again, the BJ plots were too serious and, in some cases, repetitive.
I met Frank Burns once. He visited our town’s local college campus as part of an interview session tour he was doing. Interesting guy. Spoke about the filming, the actors, etc. Nice guy.
Larry Linville was the exact opposite of the character he played, Frank Burns. Larry confided in Loretta Switt that he just couldn’t handle being Frank Burns any longer, so he left.
@@georgesouthwick7000 He meant "Alan Alda". Even Alan's good friend Wayne Rogers couldn't handle working with him. So he left ... to preserve friendship.
To this day, this show is a must watch for me. The theme song livez on my memory at a split second i hear the first note. Everyone of them is my favorite. Growing up in Jamaica, this was the best show to watch in my house.
Frank Burns was one of the greatest sitcom characters ever IMO.
I hated Frank Burns. Almost everything the character did irked me. After watching several seasons, something occurred to me, I'm not sure, but I believe it would take a talented actor to play that character. Hawkeye was an easy character, he was always the popular character, but to play the part of Frank Burns had to be difficult. So, although I didn't like Frank Burns, I had some respect for Larry Linville for playing that part. BTW, Larry passed away on 4/10/2000.
Frank Burns eats worms!!!
Very underrated character for sure.
Larry Linville was under appreciated until after he left the show.
Frank Burns eats worms. You tell 'em Farrot Face. He was the best.
I miss him. I appreciated the show he did for kids with special problems. He showed his hand, then showed us how amazing hhere is by playing the drums on Mash. I decided if he's could do it, I could too . I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at 14. I love him!!
This show started 21 years before i was born(1993) but it is still my favorite show to this day.
Gary always made me laugh about being so shy!!! And sleeping with his Teddy Bear