"40 years ago today": Alan Alda celebrates MASH milestone
Alan Alda has celebrated the 40th anniversary of the iconic M*A*S*H (MASH) season finale.
The series, which ran on CBS from 1972 to 1983, totalled an impressive 11 seasons with 251 episodes - all of which Alan Alda appeared in as the memorable Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce. However, his credits weren’t limited to just acting, with Alda dabbling in some crew work during his time on the show.
And it was Alda himself who wrote and directed the series finale, titled ‘Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen’. The episode ran for two-and-a-half hours, set a ratings record that many consider to be near impossible to beat, and reportedly still holds the title of being the most watched scripted television show episode of all time. In the US alone, over 60% of households tuned in to see the lives of the MASH unit change at the end of the Korean War.
Now, 40 years after the episode went to air, Alda has looked back on the milestone, taking to Twitter to celebrate. Alda didn’t so much as have to mention the show’s title, with the show’s legacy doing the work for him.
In Alda’s replies, and on social media in general, a screengrab from the episode began to circulate - the word ‘goodbye’ spelled out in rocks on a small hillside - and fans proved eager to reflect and celebrate with him.
“40 years ago today we got back 30 min of our Sunday night. I would gladly give 30 min of any night to watch the magnificent writings & acting of that MASH unit again,” wrote one fan, before going on to thank those involved in the production.
“MASH is one of my comfort shows and still brings me joy, laughter, and tears no matter how many times I’ve seen an episode,” said another, “thank you.”
“Ended before I was even born, yet it's still one of my all-time favorite shows!” shared one fan too young to have caught the original run, but was thrilled to join in on the reminiscing, “I'm even in the middle of a rewatch at the moment!”
“When I was a kid, I watched the show with my dad - usually as an excuse to stay up a little bit later and spend time with him,” someone else shared, “I wouldn't trade that for anything. This past summer, I watched it again with my son. Still perfect.”
“It was shown later in the year here in the UK,” one fan told Alda, “my dad recorded it on our newly rented VCR. To this day he’s never watched the last episode as he never wanted it to end.”
And for those seeking a return to MASH themselves, publicist Danny Deraney shared an emotional clip from the finale to celebrate the occasion, while citing the show’s ratings success.
40 years ago today, MASH aired its final episode.
The episode, directed and Co-written by @alanalda, became the most watched television program in history.
"Goodbye, Farewell, Amen." pic.twitter.com/a0Qv252oCj
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) February 28, 2023
Images: Twitter, Getty