Feb 28 1983

 Feb 28 1983 by ric gustafson

It was Feb 28 1983. That night, a TV finale drew a record TV audience of over 100 million viewers. That TV show was MASH. The episode was called ' Goodbye Farewell and Amen'. This final episode of the show is the most watched scripted TV in American history.

The show debuted in 1972. The United States was fighting the Vietnam war. The show was a field hospital set during the Korean War. 105.9 million people watched this two and a half hour episode. In the final six minutes, 121.6 million people watched. Three quarters of all the people watching TV that night were watching that episode. 

The episode ends with Hawkeye Pierce leaving by helicopter. He looks down and sees rocks spelling out ' Goodbye'. This was left by his friend B.J. Hunnicutt. The ' Goodbye' was the cast saying goodbye. 

Why was this show loved so much?. Was it Rosie's bar?. Was it Hawkeye in his purple robe?. Was it the operating room?. Was it Radar and his Teddy Bear?. Was it Klinger trying to get a Section 8?. Was it B.J. Hunnicutt missing his family so much?. 

The sitcom was based on a hit 1970 movie. The movie was inspired by a book written by Richard Hooker. The show was cutting edge, well acted and aired at the right moment in history.

MASH was and still is dark, deep, thoughtful, scathing, cynical and always funny.

research help: Kerry Byrne Fox News

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric