MAS*H
Summary
BJ Hunnicutt went through one divisive change in his time inMASH , and it was all because of Alan Alda ’s Benjamin " Hawkeye " Pierce . On the heel ofWayne Rogers ' exit as Trapper John McIntyreinMASHseason 3 , the famed war clowning / dramatic play brought in Mike Farrell to occupy the spot that he left . Playing the straightlaced kinsfolk man from Mill Valley , California , BJ was prompt to develop a good rapport with Hawkeye . Amid all the smashing thing about the groundbreaking comedy , their friendship became the rachis ofMASHfor the next eight years until its fabled finale .
There was no deny that Rogers and Alda had dandy chemistry inMASH . It was one of the reasons why CBS did n’t cancel it betimes on despite its lowly valuation . They were fun and risible together , so replace Trapper was n’t an gentle project , especially in light ofMASH ’s casting exodus . Farrell that he never require to take over the old role , which was his only judicial admission in accepting the show . Luckily for him , the creatives behind the project were smart enough to do this . More impressively , despite his difference from Trapper , BJ worked well with Hawkeye — until they did n’t .
Trapper McIntyre ’s fate after he get out the 4077 reveal the abrasive realism about the position of his friendship with Hawkeye Pierce in MASH .
BJ Grew A Mustache To Differentiate Himself From Hawkeye
Alan Alda Suggested The Change To Mike Farrell
Despite coming from different backgrounds , BJ was a better partner for Hawkeye in MASHthan Trapper . That said , while the serial was aware about bring in trusted that Alda ’s married person - in - law-breaking were distinct from each other , some fourth dimension along the way , they did n’t realize thatBJ was becoming so much more like Hawkeye . This became a cause for concern for the producers and was what prompt the introduction of his mustache . Farrell recounted how the whole alteration come about in the podcastMASH Matters , and disclose that it was suggested by Alda himself . Read Farrell ’s full explanation below :
Between pre - mustache and mustache , Alan called and he said , there is this good sense on the part of the producers that we ’re too much alike , ' what would you guess about the musical theme of growing a mustache ? ' I said ' keen , certain . I set about no problem with that . ' So that was the reason for the moustache .
MASH is widely regarded as one of the best TV show in history , but not all of its elements have aged well after more than five decades .
Custom Image by Ana Dumaraog
How BJ’s Mustache Signifies The Change In MASH’s Storytelling
MASH Tackled More Serious Stories Towards The End Of Its Run
It ’s no enigma that theearlier season ofMASHwere more lightsome and punch-drunk than its latter twelvemonth . While the show was always mindful of its storytelling , considering its backdrop , the creatives behind the show were able-bodied to get away with more out - of - the - box and serious storytelling as it grew in popularity . The change , however , was often demarcated by the meter before and after BJ started wearing a moustache . Whether this was intentional or not is unclear , but the timing just worked in terms of the writers need to further delve into the characters .
The mustache was also a forcible manifestation of how being in Korea step by step changed BJ . He was missing so much at nursing home , which was really a sensitive spot for the new father .
Until now , there ’s still a watershed among fans about which variant ofMASHthey care well . finally , however , the show thrived when they did more balanced narratives . Hawkeye was always lie with to use wit as his deal mechanism , as observable in his answers in theMASHseason 4 finale , " The Interview . " The modification in BJ ’s appearing was n’t just to make him look different than Alda ’s always clean - shaved character . The mustache was also a physical materialization of how being in Korea gradually change BJ . He was missing so much at home , which was really a sore pip for the new Father-God .
MASH is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.*
rootage : MASH Matters / Spotify
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MAS*H is a play - drollery serial publication set during the Korean War , rivet on the spirit of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenge of wartime medical table service with humor and resiliency .
