'Suicide Is Painless' TV's Favorite Sitcom Dramedy: The Complete Book of M.A.S.H

It’s been almost 40 years since the television series M.A.S.H. went off the air.

Since that time we’ve lost a lot of the actors from the series: Larry Linville (Frank Burns), Wayne Rogers (Trapper John), McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake), Harry Morgan (Sherman Potter), William Christopher (Francis Mulcahy) and David Ogden Stiers (Charles Winchester III) and others.

The Complete Book of M.A.S.H, published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. and written by Suzy Kalter, lists all the seasons with complete episodes synopsizes.

I especially like the season intros written by various members of the cast containing their memories, personal experiences and how the legacy of M.A.S.H has affected their lives.  It’s all very insightful.

For those of your unacquainted with the show M.A.S.H revolutionized TV comedy.  M.A.S.H was no brain drivel slapstick but what would soon be labeled a dramedy.

Unlike military situations before it M.A.S.H dealt with real human tragedy and how the doctors and nurses dealt with it.

There was humor but never at the expense of the horrors of war, death and destruction.  Humor was a defense mechanism that aided the military/medical staff to deal with their surroundings and situation.

M.A.S.H boasted some of the best writing in the business and is still considered a high point that other comedies with serious undertones seek to ascend to.

The book is filled with episodic photos, behind the scenes shots and engrossing text that is not only about the episodes but the productions, actors and production team and much more.

The final episode of the series grossed the highest audience of any TV show before or since, except for one Superbowl.

While M.A.S.H took place during the Korean War its anti-war theme reflected the turmoil of the Vietnam War that ended shortly before the last episode of the series.

While the Korean War only lasted three years, M.A.S.H broadcast for eleven years.  It’s as relevant today as the day the episodes were aired. 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”