your thoughts on "MASH"
mandrew
2,720 Posts
i've never seen an episode, but i've heard that the show was revolutionary at its time - both its style of humor and the fact that they were portraying/commenting on a war that was in the midst of taking place.thoughts?
Comments
I guess hot lips just wasn't that timeless for my tastes...
note to self: slap dad on thanksgiving
Please allow me a "Comic Book Guy" moment -
Actually, while it aired during the "Vietnam Era", it was set in/about the conflict in Korea. Parrelels to the Vietnam war were very evident in the show, however, and obviously meant as a social-commentary.
The theme song is one of my favorites of all time. Im not even talking about the version on Jamalca (which is great), but the straight up OG tv version. Ive watched the opening credits of that show about 2 million times in my life.
Agreed. It was played every weekday on re-runs on local Ch. 2. Watched it every single time. It was just one of those many shows you grew up with during my age like other re-runs of the Odd Couple, etc.
Co-Sign on the Suicide is Painless Theme. I have the record with the lyrics. I play it quite frequently this time of year.
They were protraying the Korean war, which was long over.
Commentary on the Viet Nam war went little beyond war is hell, the army is stupid.
I don't remember anyone saying it was revolutionary back in the day.
It was very popular, but it was a sit-com. The social import of sit-coms may be overrated. Often there is a sit-com that reflects aspects of socity that have not been reflect on a sit-com before. I don't think any of them are that important. Did the Cosby Show or All In The Family or MASH do anything to change the world. I doubt it.
Sesame Street, Mr Rogers, Star Trek, now those shows had a real social impact.
Dan
The most obvious impact, presumably, was on the fashion sensibilites of a young faux rillz...
These underground Poptarts fail to realize their overwhelming disconnect from the streets.. isnt that right, King Friday?
I've watched it 100s of time in rerun. Never thought it was great, but esaier than changing the channel. What I remember is that it was very uneven. I remember when it went off the air, the last episode was the most watched show ever. I couldn't understand why. When it was over Alan Alda was some kind of sensitve guy superstar. I never seem to understand popular culture.
Dan
Definitely prefer the game over the TV show.
Peace...
FNM
Yep. Never got that damn show. But Bob Newhart... now, THAT was a sitcom!
ha! i haven't thought about that for years.
skinny Elvis, or fat Elvis era Newhart. I'm strongly for the former.
No laugh track is a great feature. Do they do that on other sit-com dvds? Sienfeld?
Dan
Seinfeld ended up dropping the laugh track after a few seasons I thought...
Only have the first season on DVD now...
But I believe later ones had no laugh track... Or am I thinking of a different show?
Peace...
FNM
Co-sign
"Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice"
Sidney Freedman
The first few years of MASH were fantastic (before Frank Burns left).
Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...
[REFRAIN]:
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...
[REFRAIN]
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.
[REFRAIN]
The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.
[REFRAIN]
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...
[REFRAIN]
A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'
[REFRAIN]
'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.