All surviving original cast members of MASH are confirmed to return for a special reunion after wrapping up in 1983. The iconic war comedy series aired for eleven years with its first episode premiering on 1972. Forty years after the cast said their goodbyes, fans will see them again assemble for a get-together.
Alan Alda and many more are expected to appear in the two-hour broadcast that will air via Fox on New Year’s Day. The actor notably played Captain Benjamin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce; his other co-stars Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, and Loretta Swit will also join in.
MASH Cast Is Returning For A Special TV Reunion
The upcoming special was billed as the “definitive look at the 14-time Emmy-winning television classic.” Fox also described it as a “highly personal remembrance” of the “creation and evolution of the show’s iconic characters.” Executive producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe will be giving interviews as well.
Apart from the original cast, the two-hour broadcast would also feature “rare and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, photos, and stories,” giving fans a closer look at the legendary show that ran through 11 seasons.
Alongside these treats, the special will also honor cast and crew members who have passed away by showing archive footages and selected clips from the series. This will include McLean Stevenson, Larry Linville, David Ogden Stiers, Harry Morgan, and series writer Larry Gelbart.
Dan Harrison, Fox’s EVP of Program Planning & Content Strategy, said in a statement via TV Line:
“MASH is among the most iconic sitcoms in the annals of television history. It’s a timeless show that comedically captures the 4077th medical corps and how they managed to maintain their sanity while saving lives on the front lines of the Korean War… Fox is proud to celebrate the landmark achievements of one of the best comedies ever created.”
MASH is not only a celebrated television series but a cultural phenomenon that shaped its viewers’ lives. The show gave its fans something to laugh, cry, and reflect on. Its massive influence in the entertainment industry will always go down in history.
MASH Actor Alan Alda Reflects Back On The Success Of The Series
While MASH is known as one of the best sitcoms of all time, it was not very successful in the beginning. In fact, it reached to a point when the studio wanted to cancel it. Eventually, it found its footing, and ended up earning 100 Emmy Awards nominations with 14 wins.
In an interview via People, Alan Alda reflected on his time working on the show during its 50th anniversary:
“I’m not sure we ever knew what kind of impact it was having. It took a while to catch on, lingering near the bottom of the ratings for the first season. We got used to coming to work, doing the best shows we could and not worrying about the numbers. By the time that huge audience watched the last episode, we were kind of shocked.”
The actor also noted that people loved the show because they saw how the cast and crew honored and respected the real people who lived through the same events during the Korean war.
