Title: Alan Alda Had A Big Concern About Starring In MASH
The classic wartime sitcom "MASH" has since become one of the most beloved and important shows in television history, but when it was first being developed in the early 1970s, not everyone involved was sure it could work. Series star Alan Alda, who played Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, had some pretty serious initial concerns early on, though he eventually ended up being perhaps the most influential voice on the entire series, as he both wrote and directed episodes and was the only actor to appear in every episode. Though the show would undergo some pretty major cast changes and would even lose one of the series creators after the fourth season, Alda is sort of a guiding light throughout, the show’s heart and soul and moral center.
Alan Alda Had A Big Concern About Starring In MASH
The classic wartime sitcom "MASH" has since become one of the most beloved and important shows in television history, but when it was first being developed in the early 1970s, not everyone involved was sure it could work. Series star Alan Alda, who played Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, had some pretty serious initial concerns early on, though he eventually ended up being perhaps the most influential voice on the entire series, as he both wrote and directed episodes and was the only actor to appear in every episode.
Alan Alda Had A Big Concern About Starring In MASH – Most people loved MASH, but not Robert Altman or Richard Hornberger
Alda was concerned about how war would be depicted
Though Alda didn’t serve during wartime and he wasn’t in combat, he did see the effects the war had on soldiers who were still there from the war, along with the scars left on the land and the Korean people. He told NPR, "I understood just from doing that that when you’re in a war, it’s real. It’s the real thing. People are going to get killed or lose their arms and legs. And when we did "MASH," I wanted to make sure that at least that understanding that I had came out — that that’s what we dealt with, and that we didn’t gloss over that and make the show about how funny things were in the mess tent."
Though Alda didn’t serve during wartime and he wasn’t in combat, he did see the effects the war had on soldiers who were still there from the war, along with the scars left on the land and the Korean people. He told NPR, "I understood just from doing that that when you’re in a war, it’s real. It’s the real thing. People are going to get killed or lose their arms and legs. And when we did "MASH," I wanted to make sure that at least that understanding that I had came out — that that’s what we dealt with, and that we didn’t gloss over that and make the show about how funny things were in the mess tent."
Though Alda didn’t serve during wartime and he wasn’t in combat, he did see the effects the war had on soldiers who were still there from the war, along with the scars left on the land and the Korean people. He told NPR, "I understood just from doing that that when you’re in a war, it’s real. It’s the real thing. People are going to get killed or lose their arms and legs. And when we did "MASH," I wanted to make sure that at least that understanding that I had came out — that that’s what we dealt with, and that we didn’t gloss over that and make the show about how funny things were in the mess tent."
Alan Alda Had A Big Concern About Starring In MASH – Most people loved MASH, but not Robert Altman or Richard Hornberger
"MASH" did extremely well, running for 11 seasons and setting records that will likely never be broken, but at least two people weren’t fans: the book’s author, Richard Hornberger, and the director behind the 1970 film, Robert Altman.
Most people loved MASH, but not Robert Altman or Richard Hornberger
Alan Alda Had A Big Concern About Starring In MASH
The classic wartime sitcom "MASH" has since become one of the most beloved and important shows in television history, but when it was first being developed in the early 1970s, not everyone involved was sure it could work. Series star Alan Alda, who played Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, had some pretty serious initial concerns early on, though he eventually ended up being perhaps the most influential voice on the entire series, as he both wrote and directed episodes and was the only actor to appear in every episode.
MASH – Did You Know?
The TV show "MASH" was based on a popular book by Richard Hooker (pen name of H. Richard Hornberger), which was itself loosely based on the experiences of three doctors who served in the 8053rd Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.
"MASH" did extremely well, running for 11 seasons and setting records that will likely never be broken, but at least two people weren’t fans: the book’s author, Richard Hornberger, and the director behind the 1970 film, Robert Altman.
Hornberger, an Air Force veteran, was less than thrilled with the lighter tone of the TV series when compared to his book. He accused the show of being anti-war, anti-military and anti-American. He even expressed his dislike for Alda’s character, Hawkeye.
Robert Altman directed the 1970 movie version of "MAS*H" and was not fond of the TV series. He criticized the show as racist, even though both South and North Koreans are usually depicted with love and care in the series.
In the end, however, Alda’s influence likely helped make the show a timeless classic.
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That’s it for this post on Alan Alda’s worries about starring in "MAS*H." We hope you enjoyed the fascinating insights into the making of this television classic.
What’s your favorite memory of "MAS*H"? Let us know in the comments below!
