M*A*S*H producer Burt Metcalfe went to Korea to help create new plot ideas

"I still talk to doctors who served there during the war," said Metcalfe.

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution

For a television show to hold a record like M*A*S*H would be practically unheard of today. The series performed consistently well, in the eyes of both viewers and critics. Furthermore, the series lasted a whopping eleven seasons.

But for as long as M*A*S*H lived, and as well-loved as it was, there was some disagreement as to just how long the show should air.

The show's producer Burt Metcalfe spoke to Florida Today about the later seasons of M*A*S*H. As the series progressed, some people behind the scenes felt that a show like M*A*S*H should burn out in a blaze of glory, still one of the most popular shows on television, as opposed to overstaying its welcome on the network.

"Some of us feel it would be a good idea to end the series while we're still on top in terms of both (audience) ratings and quality," said Metcalfe. "But certainly CBS and the studio would like to keep it going a lot longer. They see no reason to take a top-10 show and let it go down the drain. The rerun syndication alone is a gold mine."

But with new episodes comes new plot ideas, and Metcalfe admitted that the longer the show ran, the more difficult it became to come up with new and interesting concepts.

"Alan [Alda] and I find it increasingly difficult to come up with story material for that short Korean War period of 1950 to 1953," said Metcalfe. "We've done about 250 episodes already - each with two or three storylines. So it's really hard to develop new angles and fresh ideas."

In fact, Metcalfe actually did some hands-on research in order to prepare. 

"Just last May, I went to Korea as a guest of the government to try and get more ideas," he said. "And I still talk to doctors who served there during the war."

This extra effort helped Metcalfe and other creatives tell an investing and authentic story in nearly every episode of M*A*S*H. It was a dedication that rang true from the pilot all the way until the final episode.

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3 Comments

JHP 19 days ago
Maybe that's why MASH got darker as the series went on
Suzies1952 24 days ago
I want to thank all the veterans past and present a very happy Veterans Day coming up! I saw all the stars on ME TV that served, a lot of them did! And my daddy fought in WWII in the Philippines!, my 3 step-,father’s who fought in WWII, Korean conflict, my great-cousin Rodney who was a pilot in WWII and lost his life for our great nation !, thank you all, for keeping us safe, every time I see a veteran in uniform, I thank them, every year I watch the mash finale thank you for showing it every year! and I cry every time! I watch it! this is a day of remembrance to think of and honor all the men AND women who have served for us all! all my family members who served, have passed away but I will be thinking of all of you not only on that day, but every day! Thank you!
JHP Suzies1952 19 days ago
Me 3 -great post
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