M*A*S*H



M*A*S*H* began as a novel written by Richard Hooker, based on his own experiences during the Korean War. That was followed by Robert Altman's 1970 feature film, and then the long running CBS television series in 1972. When the series ended in 1983, the finale became the most watched television episode in history.

On Sesame Street, Radar the stuffed bear was named by Big Bird's performer Caroll Spinney as a tribute to actor Gary Burghoff, who played Walter "Radar" O'Reilly. The two met at a taping of Hollywood Squares, and the bear's name is a dual tribute, reflecting Burghoff's Radar character, who brought a teddy bear to Korea, and the fact that in his private life, Burghoff is known as a painter of birds and an activist for bird preservation.

Connections

 * Alan Alda played Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the television series
 * Jamie Farr played Maxwell Q. Klinger in the television series
 * Elliott Gould played Capt. John Francis Xavier "Trapper John" McIntyre in the feature film
 * Sally Kellerman played Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the feature film
 * Pat Morita appeared as Capt. Sam Pak in the television Series
 * Loretta Swit played Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the television series