Am I the only one who thinks MASH is powerfully unfunny?

[Grandpa Troll]

Obviously


and a big theme for the whole show was a lament about the US involvement in Vietnam.

Vietnam itself was too much of a politicized sore spot but they could make all the political commentary they wanted in the guise of a comedy about the Korean war. So it wasn't a laugh a minute type thiing but given the American mood about war at the time, I suspect it resonated with people.

While happening during the KOREAN WAR

[Flubber]

Did you ever see that one where Klinger dressed up like a girl and Radar was all awkward and Frank was like "I'm going to turn you in for insubordination!" after Hawkeye and Trapper/BJ played a practical joke on him? That was classic...

Through 200+ episodes, themese are bound to repeat..

Do you remember that 'Happy Days" episode where Richie was all earnest and Fonzie got the girl?

A lot of long-running series get formulaic after a while

MASH in many ways HAD to refresh itself as it lost the Radar, Henry Blake , Trapper John and Frank Burns characters at various points. I thought the rotation of characetrs added realism to the show (in the same way as it was with ER)

[Drake Tungsten]

Do you remember ... 'Happy Days"

No.

[Flubber]

While happening during the KOREAN WAR

Thats kinda the pooint-- they made a Korean war show to comment on Vietnam-- This might be some of the depth that some posters are missing. The show had context and nuance far beyond any simple comedy

[bumfister]

This thread was really promising until slowwhand posted in it and changed everything.

[bumfister]

I'm going to click all of those links, right now!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

It started out well, took a downward turn after a couple of series, and the last two years were horribly mawkish. There are only so many stories about grown men weeping over little Korean orphan boys that I can stomach (ie- none.)

[bumfister]

Have to agree. It started well and then went to ****. Much like poly.

[Darius871]

Did you ever see that one where Klinger dressed up like a girl and Radar was all awkward and Frank was like "I'm going to turn you in for insubordination!" after Hawkeye and Trapper/BJ played a practical joke on him? That was classic...

My favorite

[Cort Haus]

Did you ever see that one where Klinger dressed up like a girl and Radar was all awkward and Frank was like "I'm going to turn you in for insubordination!" after Hawkeye and Trapper/BJ played a practical joke on him? That was classic...

Reminds me of the Star Trek episode where they find some planet, beam down with some blokes in red shirts with no lines who eventually get killed, interfere with whatever is going on with Spock raising quizzical eyebrows, Bones looking concerned, and Kirk being insufferably smug. They save the world by putting phasers on stun and escape at Warp Factor 10 despite Scotty saying "She cannae take any more Capn".

[Drake Tungsten]

That scenario is not nearly as universally applicable as my MASH scenario was.

[Flubber]

That scenario is not nearly as universally applicable as my MASH scenario was.

Actually it pretty much is

Heck MASH they did 6 seaons with no Frank Burns and 4 without Radar. heck Klinger was just a 1 scene running 5 seconed per episode bit for most seasons until radar left

[Drake Tungsten]

Heck MASH they did 6 seaons with no Frank Burns and 4 without Radar.

MASH without Frank Burns is no MASH at all.

Actually it pretty much is

You obviously haven't watched TOS recently. They were much more likely to fall into the hands of some superbeing and have to rely on Kirk's cleverness to save them in the end than they were to blast their way out with phasers and escape at high warp.

[DinoDoc]

You forgot Kirk somehow finding time to sample the local women.

[Drake Tungsten]

I'm watching my first episode of MASH in years right now. Hawkeye and Trapper have already played a practical joke on Frank and been berated for their insubordination by Henry Blake. I rest my case.