Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

[bgeno]

"Only the "MASH" series finale in 1983, with 106 million viewers, was seen by more people, Nielsen Media Research said Monday. Sunday's game eclipsed the previous Super Bowl record of 94.08 million, set when Dallas defeated Pittsburgh in 1996."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/playoffs/2007/02/04/superbowl.ratings.ap/index.html

I just cant imagine a show like that eclipsing what the Super Bowl could do... and it's a few years before my time so I dont know how big it really was.

[Garrett67]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

I watched it and I believe everyone else that was alive watched it. Yes, it was that big of a deal. The M.A.S.H. series was one of the most watched tv shows ever.

[roadman]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

I watched it and I believe everyone else that was alive watched it. Yes, it was that big of a deal. The M.A.S.H. series was one of the most watched tv shows ever.

Ditto. It was an epic series. You couldn't find a better comedy/drama on TV. I liked the older episodes vs the older ones.

To the original OP, you can catch the M*A*S*H series on the Hallmark Channel. I don't know about anywhere else, but the world stopped spinning when I was at college when M*A*S*H came on in reruns. We would have M*A*S*H parties, trivia, etc...........

[Cardot]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Also, M*A*S*H was on during the early days of cable TV. Many households only had 3 channels, so tv shows could have much bigger audiences than today. Additionally there was no internet which ofcourse cuts into more of the entertainment pie.

I wonder if the M*A*S*H gang gets together and toasts champagne at every big event that doesn't generate bigger ratings.

[aukevin]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Someday I should watch a MASH episode. Are they all on DVD yet?

[madscientist]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Apparently so.

[roadman]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Someday I should watch a MASH episode. Are they all on DVD yet?

Yes, every season is on DVD.

[aukevin]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Yes, every season is on DVD.

Cool. Due to the writer's strike, I've been watching old TV series a lot. I think I'll add the first season of MASH to my blockbuster list and see how I like it.

[nyisles16]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Yes, every season is on DVD.

yup - I have it (Xmas gift) -- good stuff

[roadman]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

Cool. Due to the writer's strike, I've been watching old TV series a lot. I think I'll add the first season of MASH to my blockbuster list and see how I like it.

There will be a noted difference between season 1 and season 6 and above.

Alan Alda, the lead character, Hawkeye, started directing more episodes and the more he directed, the more drama came out vs the 1st three seasons with Henry Blake in command.

MASH also had some witty side characters as well. Col. Flagg was hilarious, and so was psychologist Sydney Freedman with two ee's. Also, M*A*S*H had a lot of upcoming stars on the show. Ron Howard, Susan Saint James, John Ritter, the gal that did Kodak commercials in the 80's with Jim Garner, Dice Clay, and Patrick Swayze.

[nyisles16]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

There will be a noted difference between season 1 and season 6 and above.

Alan Alda, the lead character, Hawkeye, started directing more episodes and the more he directed, the more drama came out vs the 1st three seasons with Henry Blake in command.

MASH also had some witty side characters as well. Col. Flagg was hilarious, and so was psychologist Sydney Freedman with two ee's. Also, M*A*S*H had a lot of upcoming stars on the show. Ron Howard, Susan Saint James, John Ritter, the gal that did Kodak commercials in the 80's with Jim Garner, Dice Clay, and Patrick Swayze.

I think also a young Lawrence Fishburn was in an episode...

[aukevin]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

There will be a noted difference between season 1 and season 6 and above.

Alan Alda, the lead character, Hawkeye, started directing more episodes and the more he directed, the more drama came out vs the 1st three seasons with Henry Blake in command.

MASH also had some witty side characters as well. Col. Flagg was hilarious, and so was psychologist Sydney Freedman with two ee's. Also, M*A*S*H had a lot of upcoming stars on the show. Ron Howard, Susan Saint James, John Ritter, the gal that did Kodak commercials in the 80's with Jim Garner, Dice Clay, and Patrick Swayze.

wow, I didn't know all those people made appearances in the show. Dice Clay, LOL!

[roadman]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

wow, I didn't know all those people made appearances in the show. Dice Clay, LOL!

He was in character too with the Brooklyn accent going. I think it's the second to last year or the last year, like early 80's.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

M*A*S*H was one of the most well written shows ever. Yes it was that big. I've probably seen every episode 10 times or more. Great stuff.

[pk500]

Re: Was the "MASH" series finale in 1983 REALLY that big?

M*A*S*H was one of those incredibly rare shows around which most of America framed its night. If it was on, everything else waited.

Good point about that being the era before 500-plus cable and satellite channels. Plus that was the era before VCR's and TiVo, so everyone watched shows live, jacking the ratings.

Seinfeld was the only series with a finale carrying even remotely the same buzz as the last episode of M*A*S*H, and the Seinfeld finale was such a letdown.

Take care,
PK