More than 100 million Americans tuned in to say “Goodbye, goodbye and amen” to the doctors, nurses and staff of the fictional Army Mobile Surgical Hospital 4077 on this day in history, February 28, 1983.
The final episode of the hit television comedy “M*A*S*H” remained the most-watched television show in American history for 27 years.
It was finally surpassed by Super Bowl XLIV (Saints over Colts) in February 2010.
Its finale remains the most-watched scripted television show in American history, more than 40 years later.
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“M*A*S*H” debuted in 1972, while the United States was still fighting the Vietnam War, sharing the darkly comedic antics inside a field hospital set during the previous Korean War.
“'Farewell, Farewell and Amen' received a mammoth 60.3 rating and 77 engagement… a whopping 105.9 million people watched it on average over the two and a half hours, with that number peaking at 121.6 million in the last six minutes.” wrote MeTV.com in a 2022 retrospective of American broadcast television's historic moment.
Actors from the comedy “M*A*S*H,” from left, Jamie Farr, Loretta Swit, David Ogden Stiers, Harry Morgan, Mike Farrell, Alan Alda and William Christopher in a publicity portrait, circa 1978. (20th Century-Fox TV/Getty Images)
The 77 percent meant that more than three-quarters of all people watching television that night were watching this episode of “M*A*S*H.”
It scored a high 82 in San Francisco, according to a Variety report at the time.
“While the numbers are impressive, what makes 'Goodbye, Goodbye and Amen' last are the emotions.” —MeTV.com
“Advertisers, who spent up to $450,000 per 30-second commercial, apparently got their money's worth,” Variety noted.
“M*A*S*H” was so popular during its 11 seasons that King Charles (then Prince Charles) visited a taping of the show during a two-week tour of the United States in 1977.
He then joined a lunch with the cast, still in costume, according to an Associated Press report at the time.
MeTV added: “While the numbers are impressive, what makes 'Farewell, Farewell and Amen' endure are the emotions. Simply put, the long ending fell by the wayside.”
King Charles, left, former Prince Charles, speaks with American actor Alan Alda, who played Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce on “M*A*S*H” during a visit to the show's set, 27 October. 1977. This episode of “M*A*S*H”, titled “Comrades In Arms (Part 1)”, aired on December 6, 1977. (CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
The episode closed with Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) leaving the unit by helicopter, when he looks down and sees the word “Goodbye” in giant letters written in stones: the message left by his fellow Army field surgeon BJ Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell). .
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In reality, it was a “goodbye” to the nation by one of the most beloved casts in television history.
“Viewers laughed at the characters' antics at Rosie's bar or in The Swamp with Hawkeye, curled up in his purple robes, the color of royalty,” the Hollywood Reporter wrote while celebrating the finale's 35th anniversary in 2018.
“M*A*S*H” was at various times dark, profound, reflective, biting or cynical, but always tremendously funny.
“They grieved the losses in the operating room, felt how tightly Radar (Gary Burghoff) clung to his teddy bear at night, and felt Maxwell Klinger's (Jamie Farr) pride in his Statue of Liberty costume and the BJ Hunnicutt's broken heart as he misses his daughter's visit. childhood.”
Jamie Farr (as Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger) is pictured in the CBS television comedy “M*A*S*H” in 1977 in Los Angeles. (CBS via Getty Images)
The audience that was glued to the subway for the final minutes was so massive that it disrupted New York City's plumbing infrastructure when the curtain closed.
“So many people rushed to the bathroom after the finale, the subsequent drop in toilet pressure caused a surge in the tunnels that carry water from the Catskills to New York,” MeTV wrote.
The comedy was based on the hit 1970 film “M*A*S*H,” which in turn was inspired by the 1968 book “M*A*S*H: A Novel of Three Army Doctors” by Richard Hooker. , the writer named after a former military surgeon.
“M*A*S*H,” the television show, was at various times dark, profound, reflective, biting or cynical, but always tremendously funny.
CBS television advertisement as it appeared in the February 26, 1983 issue of TV Guide magazine for the final episode of “M*A*S*H”, which aired on February 28, 1983. With William Christopher , Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, Alan Alda, David Ogden Stiers, Harry Morgan and Jamie Farr. (CBS via Getty Images)
Americans more than 40 years ago, millions of them veterans of World War II, Korea or Vietnam, deeply related to the struggles of the men and women of the 4077th.
Alda, who not only starred in “M*A*S*H” but also helped write the final episode, was a U.S. Army veteran who served in South Korea shortly after the war ended.
They were all united by duty and common humanity, as they lamented the state of a species that was quick to kill each other.
Farr also served in the military in Korea around the same time.
“M*A*S*H” brought together resourceful doctors retired from civilian life to heal seriously injured and dying American children, and sometimes the enemy, while flouting military regulations, along with career Army regulars trying to keep the order.
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They were all united by duty and common humanity, as they lamented the state of a species that was quick to kill each other.
“M*A*S*H” was, at its core, a divine anti-war comedy in the tradition of “Catch-22,” aimed at a nation still healing the physical and social wounds of the Vietnam War.
Press conference before the final episode of “M*A*S*H” in February 1983. From left, Loretta Swit, Mike Farrell, David Odgen, Jaime Farr, Alan Alda, Harry Morgan, William Christopher and the cast . (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Its success was due to a unique confluence of circumstances: a brilliantly written and well-acted, emotionally captivating, cutting-edge comedy that aired at the right time in history.
Proof of their connection was found in the historic size of the audience more than 40 years ago today.
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“In building this landmark series, its cast and crew forged a bond of love and respect that endures to this day: a love for truth in storytelling, a love for the audience they entertained, and a love for each other,” Hollywood said. Reporter.
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