MASH is an incredibly popular TV series about medics in the Korean War, but many viewers actually don't know that the show is connected to a 1970 MASH movie. Although the series didn't start until several years after the movie in 1972, it is far more popular than its predecessor, with MASH becoming one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. The MASH TV show's movie roots are actually fascinating, as how the two are connected is pretty surprising.
MASH is a half-hour comedy series that ran from 1972 to 1983, with the series telling all kinds of humorous and dramatic stories against the bleak backdrop of the Korean War. MASH didn't immediately catch on, but it soon found its footing, with the series becoming one of the most popular and historic television sitcoms. MASH's iconic episodes, characters, and stories made it a hit with audiences, with the series finale becoming the most viewed television program of all time at the time of airing. So, here is how a little-known movie from the early 70s became the beloved sitcom, MASH.
MASH Is Mostly Separate To The Original Movie
Although the release date of the movie and TV show weren't far apart, the MASH series is mostly separate from the movie. The MASH TV series was born after failing to create a sequel to the movie, leading to the project being turned into a spin-off series. Although the show's cast is almost entirely different from the movie, many of the characters are the same, including Hawkeye, Hot Lips, and more. Besides MASH's core premise, the TV series told an entirely original story, with many episodes being self-contained.
Despite MASH being a spin-off of the movie, the tones were also significantly different. The MASH movie was much more mature than the series, with the film featuring darker humor, sex, and bloodier surgery scenes. Many of these elements weren't seen as appropriate for a sitcom at the time, with the MASH TV series cutting back on some of the movie's more R-rated moments. The MASH TV show uses a version of the song "Suicide is Painless" from the movie without lyrics for its theme, with the subject matter of the song being deemed too inappropriate for TV.
Why MASH The TV Show Is More Popular Than The Movie
Despite the movie coming first, the MASH TV show is far more popular for several big reasons. The show went from nearly being canceled due to low ratings in season 1 to the MASH finale being the most-watched TV episode of all time, and that is due to one big reason: its time slot. In order to save the show, CBS gave MASH the time slot after All in the Family, one of the most coveted release times on network television. This move effectively rocketed the show into popularity, making MASH the titan that it is today.
MASH maintained popularity due to it constantly staying in the public eye, with the series making headlines throughout its run. Not only was MASH one of the first network television shows to feature partial nudity, but it also commentated on several controversial topics, such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War. MASH had several spin-offs made during and after the original series run, helping it constantly evolve and stay fresh. Despite being completely separate from the movie, MASH made a name for itself, cementing its position in sitcom history.