A Brief History of the TV Show M*A*S*H

Chances are good that if you’re a Baby Boomer, you remember the iconic TV show M*A*S*H. The show was set during the Korean War and followed the lives of a group of Army surgeons stationed at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit.

The show was groundbreaking in its depiction of war, and it quickly became one of the most popular shows on television. But what was the real story behind M*A*S*H? Let’s take a look.

The Korean War and the MASH Unit

The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States came to the aid of South Korea, and ultimately, over a million American soldiers were deployed to the Korean peninsula.

One of the technologies that was developed during the Korean War was the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, or MASH unit. These units were designed to provide quick medical care to soldiers in the field, and they proved to be successful in both saving lives and reducing morbidity rates.

The TV Show M*A*S*H

In 1972, director Robert Altman released a film called MASH, which told the story of a group of surgeons stationed at a MASH unit during the Korean War. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it led to the development of a television series of the same name.

The TV show M*A*S*H aired from 1972 to 1983 and became one of the most popular shows in television history. It won numerous awards, including Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Alan Alda).

“More Than A Show”

MASH was more than just a TV show; it was a cultural phenomenon. The show helped change the way Americans thought about war, and it continues to be one of the most popular shows in television history. If you’re a Baby Boomer, chances are good that you have fond memories of watching MASH with your family.