The Secrets Of The M.A.S.H Mess
Whenever the classic TV series M.A.S.H is mentioned certain characters always come to mind: Hot Lips, Hawkeye, B.J. Trapper John, Radar-you know the names.
But there is one more individual who deserves to be on that impressive list. For, after all if were not for him none of them would survived long.
I'm talking about Igor, the private responsible for the M.A.S.H 4077’s prepared repast. You know-food, grub or in Igor’s case questionable vittles.
For nine years actor Jeff Maxwell portrayed the often taken for granted, lambasted and looked down upon chef who somehow day after day managed to make palatable food unpalatable.
His food preparation was like a thing from one of layers of Dante’s Inferno. Who else could take fresh eggs and make them taste like scramble powered eggs ormake bacon indistinguishable from lettuce?
In Secrets Of The M.A.S.H Mess The Lost Recipes Of Private Igor, published by Cumberland House Publishing, Igor himself (actor Jeff Maxwell) has compiled a culinary cornucopia of recipes sure to stir the hearts (and stomachs) of those that partake in them.
Actually the book contains some excellent recipes renamed after certain members of M.A.S.H, military personnel, equipment and locations and events.
Filled with never or seldom seen photos from both behind and front of the camera and sprinkled with anecdotes and comments by cast and crew members the book is a delightful menu of M.A.S.H moments and memories.
The Beverly Hillbillies
It was a more innocent time. America had just come out the 1950s and many of the norms and traditions of that time had yet to be seriously challenged.
America’s role in the Vietnam War was in its early stages. John Kennedy was president, the economy was still strong and the traditional family structure and values of mom, dad and kids were still in vogue.
Television was just starting to take on some challenging subjects with shows like The Twilight Zone, several war and detective series and smattering of ‘relevant’ series.
Mostly silly half-hour sitcoms ruled with variety shows, westerns, detective, crime and family shows flourishing.
In 1961 America was growing up-or so TV executive thought. CBS, NBC and ABC all attempted to up the quality of their shows and make them more sophisticated. Quite frankly America was taking itself too seriously.
Out of the blue producer Paul Henning sprung a new TV show on the viewing public. Released by CBS the series revolved around a backwoods Ozark family who became fabulously wealthy when their patriarch struck oil while out hunting.
They moved to more swanky digs and surroundings at the urging oaf their tightwad banker and found themselves in the entertainment capital of the world: Hollywood, California.
I am of course referring to the hit TV comedy sitcom: The Beverly Hillbillies.
While CBS TV executives and critics held little hope that the series would survive because of its hayseed humor they could not have been more wrong.
The Beverly Hillbillies became a huge hit raking in the Top 10 TV shows its entire run. It was so popular that it launched a number of spin-offs that also became popular for much the same reasons-good old fashioned homespun and heartfelt humor.
Like fish out of water The Beverly Hillbillies (comprised of Jed, Granny, Ellie May Clampett and Jethro Bodine) lived their simple and humble lives among the rush and hubbub of high society and somehow kept their innocence and innocence.
The series never looked down on the Clampett family, just the opposite in fact. Writers took aim at today’s society with all its quirks, materialism and rush, rush, rush.
The Beverly Hillbillies A Fortieth Anniversary Wing-Ding (Revised and Expanded), written by Stephen Cox and published by Cumberland House Publishing, takes a loving look at the series with plenty of photos (both in production and behind the scenes), commentaries by the stars, production staff, writers and producers and even some guest stars.
The book looks at the careers of the stars, their lives before and after the Hillbillies series and there’s a complete episode guide for all nine seasons.
Sadly when CBS TV executives decided to go for ‘mature’ comedies The Beverly Hillbillies got the axe even though it was still a top rated show.
Both my mother and I loved watching the show along with its offshoot series Green Acres and Petticoat Junction.
The Beverly Hillbillies is as popular today in reruns as it was when it was on network TV.
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