NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm a fan of MASH and I sometimes wonder about MASH and real life. So, I decided to ask my fellow nutcases who they think of themselves as. Please explain why, and in what version (book/film, or TV) of the character. I'll start: I identify with Henry Blake. I have a tough time with decisions, I am often bossed around by others, and I have his trademark catchphrase: "Yo!"

I'm really nuts, am I not?

No one cares about M*A*S*H. Nothing but a mind-numbingly stupid program.

At least Married With Children knew it was stupid.

No one cares about M*A*S*H. Nothing but a mind-numbingly stupid program.

Actually it was a rare example of televised black humour in America from a time when there was little else like it.

I guess I'd be Robert Altman.

Actually it was a rare example of televised black humour in America from a time when there was little else like it.
In otherwords, before black humour was crass?

I love M*A*S*H* it is my favorite show, actually its one of the only reasons that i even turn on the tv.:fluffle:

No one cares about M*A*S*H. Nothing but a mind-numbingly stupid program.

At least Married With Children knew it was stupid.

You don't like the thread, you don't come, Kryo-coolant.

Now fuck off.

I guess I'd be Robert Altman.

Heh heh. :)

Now fuck off.

:eek: How rude.

i like the show, but you didn't name the character I would identify with... Max Klinger. ;)

i like the show, but you didn't name the character I would identify with... Max Klinger. ;)

Klinger is my favorit :), but iam not sure who i would best identify with

i like the show, but you didn't name the character I would identify with... Max Klinger. ;)

Sorry, Cabra. Damn Jolt didn't let me put in enough options for Klinger.

M.*A.*S.*H.*?

Yeah, so? Somebody did this for Catch-22 once.

I discovered M*A*S*H in this order:

The television show, which, in its early days had writers like Larry Gelbart, who's basically a genius legend in television writing.

The movie, with screenplay by Ring Lardner Jr, and directed by Robert Altman, both geniuses, and featuring Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman, Tom Skerritt and Rene Auberjonois.

Finally, the book, written by Richard Hooker (he also wrote a couple of sequels).

The movie was disjointed and visually arresting in its depiction of a confusing and pointless war and the lengths the human mind will go to insulate itself from such insanity. It also cemented the term "the pros from Dover" as part of my vocabulary when referring to people who know far more than I do on the subject at hand. Plus Father Mulcahy's terrific line in response to Burns and Houlihan's question, "how did a degenerate like that ever reach the rank of captain?" The good father's reply, "he was drafted."

The book was far more concise and easy to follow, and very funny. I've never read the sequels.

The TV show began as an earnest attempt to translate the insouciant and irreverent tone of the film to a TV audience lulled into a torpor by the television of the time. Remember, this is just before guys like Norman Lear began shredding middle America with shows like "All in the Family". The TV show also became one of the rare comedies to abandon the laugh track about halfway or so through its run. Unfortunately, as the original writers ran out of ideas and moved on, some of the actors began writing and directing, and the show lost whatever comedic edge it had and became more issue-oriented, attempting to squeeze 70s issues into its early-50s framework. It got far less funny and far more maudlin in its last three or so seasons.

However, that does NOT diminish either it's earlier solid humor or its contribution to television history. I was only 12 when it went off the air and I was sad to see it go (I didn't yet understand the concept of story arcs or wearing out one's welcome with regard to writing TV shows). I have fond memories of the show and if I see a rerun I don't instantly recognize, I'll watch it for old times' sake.

As for which character I am, I've always identified with Hawkeye, mostly because of his constant questioning of insane things that those in authority seem to think are ferfectly normal or rational. I've NEVER been his kind of lothario (though not for lack of effort). I'm quick with a retort or musing on just about any topic and I'm good at what I do and I'm perennially single and incorrigibly horny. So, yeah, Hawkeye.

Yeah. I read the book, watched the movie, and I have the show on DVDs. Each of them is pretty good in its own way.

I'm Blake.

I guess I'm gonna die over the Sea of Japan:( .


*hums "Suicide is Painless"*

B.J. Hunnicut here.

I'm Blake.

I guess I'm gonna die over the Sea of Japan:( .


*hums "Suicide is Painless"*

Yo!

Fellow Henry Blake here. Join the club. (Plays guitar backing)

Seidman, get in here!

(Sergeant Seidman's a guy who sings it at Painless Pole's funeral in the movie.)

I'd say I'm mostly a Colonel Flagg!! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Flagg) :D

No, not really ;)

I try to be more of a Sidney Freedman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Freedman) than anyone else, though I've no interest in going into psychiatry itself as a career.

Heh heh.

"I'd like to help you, but with your schizophrenia I'd have to charge you double time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've already kept Jesus waiting five minutes." - Sidney to Flagg

"This isn't one of my sermons – I expect you to listen."-Father Mulcahy

(Winchester enters the Colonel's office after hearing a potty story about BJ's daughter. Colonel Potter is talking to Margaret)

Col. Potter: The kid's only five years old and...
Winchester: Please, Colonel, I beg of you. No more potty stories!
Col. Potter: I was just gonna say that my nephew had his first pony ride.
Margaret: Speaking of potty training, my first cousin had...
Winchester: We are not speaking of potty training. We will never speak of potty training so long as I am in this room.
Col. Potter: Winchester, you seem mighty touchy about the subject of potty training. Could you have been a member of the rubber sheet brigade?
Winchester: Don't be absurd, Colonel Potty.

Heh heh.

This is by far my favorite show. I think I'd have to say I'm a Father Mulcahy.

I'm a fan of MASH and I sometimes wonder about MASH and real life. So, I decided to ask my fellow nutcases who they think of themselves as. Please explain why, and in what version (book/film, or TV) of the character. I'll start: I identify with Henry Blake. I have a tough time with decisions, I am often bossed around by others, and I have his trademark catchphrase: "Yo!"

I'm really nuts, am I not?

Radar. The lowest ranking person who always gets the job done and bails everyone else out of trouble.

Yeah, so? Somebody did this for Catch-22 once.
no. i mean what is this MASH thing

no. i mean what is this MASH thing

:eek: you dont know

no. i mean what is this MASH thing

All right.

[professor voice]

MASH is a 1968 book about life in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in the Korean War. It was adapted into a 1970 film directed by Robert Altman, and a TV series in 1972. The show is the most famous version of MASH.

Protagonists:

Captain Hawkeye Pierce - mischief-maker, lothario, hails from Crabapple Cove, Maine.
Captain "Trapper John" McIntyre - Like Hawkeye, but from Boston, MA.
Captain BJ Hunnicutt - Trapper John's replacement on the show, but less loose with his morals. Hails from Mill Valley, California.
Captain Duke Forrest (removed from the show) - A Southern gentleman/rascal, from Forrest City, Georgia.

Note: They live in a tent called the Swamp, and as such will be referred to as the Swampmen or Swamprats.

Antagonists:

Major Jonathan Hobson - religious fundie (combined with Frank Burns for the film and show.)
Major Frank Burns - Inept surgeon/Arrogant bastard. Lives in the Swamp on the show.
Major Charles Winchester - Frank's replacement on the show. However, he was somewhat kinder, and a far better doctor. Hails from Boston, and has the accent to prove it.
Major Margaret Houlihan - Frank's lover, a discipline fanatic. Laters leaves Frank and becomes kinder in the show.

Supporting Characters:

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake - Commanding officer, supreme waffler, and the Swamprats' friend.
Colonel Sherman T. Potter - Colonel Blake's replacement/polar opposite in the show.
Corporal Radar O'Reilly - Company clerk, possesses ESP and originally super-hearing.
Corporal Max Klinger - Only on the show, crazy character, wears dresses to get out of the army. Takes over Radar's duties after Radar leaves (only in the show).
Father John Mulcahy (called Dago Red in the book and movie) - Camp chaplain.

[/professor voice]

That enough for you, Swilatia?

I'm a Lt. Col. Blake too. I guess I'll be joining you in the Sea of Japan.

The potato.

Luther Rizzo or John Francis Patrick Mulcahy

Okay, there are three Colonel Blakes so far (IDF, Bumboat, and me). We're all gonna die in the Sea of Japan, so let's sing "Suicide is Painless". One person does the backing vocals, another one does the lead, and one person plays the guitar part.

No matter how much I may wish to be the Sutherland "Hawkeye Pierce," to the point of copying his distinctive whistle for a while in uni, the best I could hope for would be a comparison to "Radar O'Reilly." I suspect I am, sadly, most like "Frank Burns."

Yeah, Sutherland's Hawkeye kicks ass.

This topic needs more posters.

Major Charles Winchester - Frank's replacement on the show.

Winchester wasn't Frank's replacement, per se. He had a totally different character. Winchester was a Boston aristocrat, but competent in surgery, and a good guy underneath (note the one episode when he threw himself on a dud grenade, thinking it was live, to "save" the life of a man who openly hated him). Frank, on the other hand, was an asshole of the highest order.

Yeah, but I'm presenting things in simplified form. Swilatia's a first time MASHer, you know. He can figure out the differences when he watches theshow.

Father Mulcahy----I get in lots of binds where there is a conflict between right and more right or wrong and more wrong. Yet try to do the best with the situation as it is.