Its just dreadful and dreary to me. Never funny or never makes me feel good in any way. I know its supposedly a "dark comedy". But the characters are repulsive. Nothing about it is good, and when you realize the theme song is actually about suicide, that really cinches it.
"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".
When the series first came out, the world was in the midst of the Vietnam War, so it was refreshing to watch a show that was anti-war, anti-army, and anti-establishment. Seeing guys rebel against authority and doing what is right no matter what the cost.
I think the true appeal of M*A*S*H are the characters. They're all memorable, they all have a vast array of traits that make you like them and make you dislike them at times. Even if you don't like some of the characters, you still have to admit they have their good moments and are still memorable. Even the background characters that only appeared in a total of 5 episodes are still memorable. It's the people who made this show, and allowed it to last 11 years. We wanted to invite these rogues into our homes every night from 1972 to 1983.
Men and women making the best of a dreary situation: being stuck in war-torn Korea.
The characters and how they play off each other is what really makes it work, whether it be Hawkeye and Trapper, or Hawkeye and B.J., and especially, Henry Blake and Radar.
It's a character-driven show.
Well... that's one viewpoint; you're welcome to it. I can say the same thing about "Seinfeld" and "Friends," but I never bother to watch them or go to their boards to complain.
I would even take Mash over Sienfeld. Seinfled is the worst show ever.
"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".
I only get bent out of shape about "Seinfeld" when TV Guide or some poll says it's the best comedy ever, #1, etc. when, if you look at the history of TV, there've been some so much better, IMO. I never found Jerry's stand-up comedy funny and the characters are about the most selfish, repulsive characters I'd never want to meet. "Friends" had it's good moments, but not enough for me to stick around. I'll take a few hours of Red Skelton, Bob Newhart or MASH any day. But to each his own.
I only get bent out of shape about "Seinfeld" when TV Guide or some poll says it's the best comedy ever, #1, etc. when, if you look at the history of TV, there've been some so much better, IMO. I never found Jerry's stand-up comedy funny and the characters are about the most selfish, repulsive characters I'd never want to meet.
Jerry was the worst actor on that show. everyone else [even his parents and especially George's parents] were funnier than him.
but hey, people seem to love The Office so much that they made two versions of it -- complete with copying each other story line for story line? I never found the humor in encasing someone else's stapler in gelatin. you don't see me doing that with any one else's planbook.
Oh God. Fortune vomits on my eiderdown once more.
American networks have been copying British sitcoms for decades, and I've yet to see them re-create one that's superior to the UK original. (imo)
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot - than to open it and remove all doubt!
Jerry while the star was never meant to carry the bulk of the load in an episode. Jason Alexander was the only of the big four who was an actor. The show would have never worked if Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer just sat around the apartment all hours of the day. They needed a broad array of actors to make an episode work and that is what we got in nearly every Seinfeld episode. They even worked in an aging personality past his prime in Clint Howard (forgive me, Balok).
shareIt upsets me too whenever someone calls "Seinfeld" the best show ever. I've seen snippets of it. Kramer bursts in to Jerry's apartment on day one, laughter. Kramer bursts in t Jerry's apartment in final season, laughter.
or JJ Evans with his Dyno mite crap. The audience ate it up and the show was thusly written towards that because that is what it is all about -- ratings.
Oh God. Fortune vomits on my eiderdown once more.
I liked some of Jerry Seinfelds' stand up comedy routines, but the man couldn't ACT his way out of a wet paper bag!! I agree with you 100% about Red Skelton and Bob Newhart......have you ever heard his old "telephone conversation" routines that were released in album form in the early 60's? His "Sir Walter Raleigh" skit was too hilarious!!
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot - than to open it and remove all doubt!
We have over a half dozen of Red's dvds, and we also have Bob's "Button Down Concert" in which he does a couple of his telephone routines. He has such wonderful timing, and what I really appreciated with his show, and that like Andy Griffith, he allowed others to have the funny lines while he played the straight man. Wonderful.
shareI couldn't agree more, indy_go_blue44 !!
Nothing better than a kindred spirit!
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot - than to open it and remove all doubt!
I'd be interested to know how old you are, RvaBread22......it could have something to do with your dislike of M*A*S*H*. I'm sure you understand what I mean - some shows are more interesting to a particular "age" demographic.
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot - than to open it and remove all doubt!
I think age has a lot to do with it, by today's standards the culture references are definitely dated and wouldn't be understood by a younger audience.
Also a lot of the issues were relevant to anyone who'd grownup before the 1970s. One episode Frank makes a reference to Radar about calling for Phillip Morris that joke I didn't understand for years.
It's also important to understand the context of the joke. In the early episodes there was a lot social commentary, with a generation watching that had come up the draft era of the 1940s, 50s and 60s so they'd understand the commentary on military life.
I’m with you, OP. I found the skirt-chasing, acerbic, sanctimonious, frequently-soused Hawkeye repellent rather than sympathetic. I didn’t find the show all that humorous, either.
shareIt was a sign of the times, and a product of its time. By the same token, I wouldn’t expect I Love Lucy, or Little House on the Prairie or even Dallas to stand up to today’s audiences and all the modern programming they’re exposed to today (via the 500 cable channels and countless streaming options they have). Back when MASH was on....people only had about 5 channels to choose from on their TV’s.
I will say this....the writing and the quality of the acting on MASH was first rate. And, it was an anti-war (“war is hell”) kinda show that really resonated. People grew an affinity and attachment to our anti-hero’s who were rebelling against a shitty situation.
I get that it feels dull by today’s standards. I wouldn’t expect much love for Taxi, Barney Miller, The Love Boat or The Dick Van Dyke Show either. I think you just....kinda had to be there.
Thank you for your reply but I was there. I haven’t watched the show in decades and the opinion I related was based on my impression at that time of viewing. I still enjoy many of the other classic yet dated shows you mention.
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