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Mike Farrell on his feelings about Alan Alda upon their first meeting
Were the two as close as B.J. and Hawkeye?
There were issues renegotiating Wayne Rogers' M*A*S*H contract as early as the show's second season. While Trapper John would remain with the series through the following year, there were widespread rumors regarding his discontent throughout Hollywood. But, what may have seemed like an impending disaster for the M*A*S*H producers was a huge opportunity for actor Mike Farrell.
It was a tricky situation. At first, the news of Trapper John's departure was just a rumor. But there were some serious inquiries into Mike Farrell's interest in joining the show. The matter was further complicated because Farrell was then under contract with Universal Studios.
Things changed, though, the following year, when Rogers made his intentions to leave clear. Farrell's agent told his client the news, asking if Farrell would be interested in pursuing a new role on the already-successful series. The interest was mutual, and so both parties, Fox and Farrell, entered discussions about him joining the show.
One of the most crucial components of the conversations that followed was whether or not Farrell could successfully share the screen with Alan Alda. As M*A*S*H entered its fourth season, the show continued to grow in focusing more on Hawkeye Pierce specifically. Alda needed an onscreen partner with whom he could develop a clear, natural chemistry. Luckily, Farrell was the perfect choice,
In his 2008 autobiography, Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist, Mike Farrell explained what it was like getting to know his new onscreen bestie, Alan Alda. Specifically, Farrell wrote about the day his agent confirmed that the part of B.J. Hunnicut was secured.
"That same afternoon I got a call from Alan Alda, asking if I could meet him for dinner that night to give us a chance to get to know each other and talk about the show, the characters, and the future. We ate at a Chinese restaurant in Hollywood, and I pretended I wasn't nervous as we talked and laughed and ate until well into the night.
"And at some point, I stopped being nervous. 'This is a nice man,' I kept thinking. 'He didn't have to do this.' Of course, it could just be good business to warm me up this way, but it was soon clear that it wasn't business.
"The guy really cared about the show and the characters. He wanted the relationships to mean something, and he wanted the show to succeed. And not just with good ratings and awards, though there's nothing wrong with that; he wanted the show to succeed by honestly and honorably exploring the lives and relationships of the real people who had been in this terrible situation, while at the same time entertaining the audience."
Farrell's initial impression of Alda proved to be rooted in truth. The pair had an all-time great onscreen rapport. While Trapper John was great, it's clear that Farrell was born to star in M*A*S*H opposite Alan Alda.
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The constant bantered proved very annoying
