# M*A*S*H

> American television series (1972–1983)

**Wikidata**: [Q494244](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q494244)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_(TV_series))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m-a-s-h

## Summary
M*A*S*H is an American television series that aired on CBS from 17 September 1972 to 28 February 1983, blending black comedy, medical drama, and war-time storytelling in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War. Created by comedy writer Larry Gelbart and produced by 20th Century Fox Television, the show ran for 11 seasons and became one of the most influential comedy-drama programs in television history.

## Key Facts
- **Air Dates**: Premiered 17 September 1972; concluded 28 February 1983
- **Total Episodes**: 256 episodes across 11 seasons
- **Runtime**: 25 minutes per episode
- **Original Network**: CBS
- **Production Company**: 20th Century Fox Television (founded 1949)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Creator**: Larry Gelbart (1928–2009), American comedy writer and playwright
- **Genres**: Black comedy, medical drama, comedy drama, war comedy
- **IMDb ID**: tt0068098
- **Wikidata ID**: Q15314
- **Sitelink Count**: 38 Wikipedia language editions
- **Alternative Titles**: MASH, Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
- **Official Website**: http://www.mash4077.co.uk/

## FAQs
**What made M*A*S*H different from other war-themed shows?**  
M*A*S*H uniquely combined black comedy with medical drama, using humor to critique war while maintaining dramatic depth. Its setting in a Korean War mobile army surgical hospital allowed it to explore both the absurdity and tragedy of conflict through the lens of military doctors.

**How many seasons and episodes does M*A*S*H have?**  
The series consists of 11 seasons with a total of 256 episodes, each approximately 25 minutes long. Every season from season 1 through season 11 has its own dedicated Wikipedia page across multiple languages.

**Who created M*A*S*H and what was their background?**  
M*A*S*H was created by Larry Gelbart, an American comedy writer and playwright (1928–2009) known for his work in television and theater. His comedic expertise shaped the show's distinctive blend of humor and social commentary.

**What genres does M*A*S*H belong to?**  
The show spans multiple genres including black comedy, medical drama, comedy drama, and war comedy. This genre-blending approach was innovative for its time and contributed to its broad appeal.

## Why It Matters
M*A*S*H revolutionized television by proving that a series could successfully blend comedy and drama while addressing serious themes like war, death, and social injustice. Its innovative format influenced countless subsequent shows, establishing the template for dramedy series that could tackle heavy subjects through humor. The show's anti-war message resonated during the Vietnam War era, making it culturally significant beyond entertainment. Its finale became one of the most-watched television episodes in history, demonstrating the medium's power to create shared cultural moments. The series' longevity (11 years) and critical acclaim helped establish CBS as a major network for quality programming, while its international success through 38 Wikipedia language editions shows its global impact on television storytelling.

## Notable For
- **Genre Innovation**: Pioneered the successful blending of black comedy with medical drama and war themes
- **Longevity**: Ran for 11 seasons (1972-1983), making it one of the longest-running series of its era
- **Cultural Impact**: Addressed controversial topics including war, politics, and social issues during a turbulent period in American history
- **International Reach**: Documented in 38 Wikipedia language editions, indicating global cultural significance
- **Production Pedigree**: Produced by 20th Century Fox Television, a major Hollywood studio founded in 1949
- **Network Legacy**: Aired on CBS, one of America's oldest broadcast networks (founded 1927)
- **Creator's Legacy**: Created by Larry Gelbart, establishing him as a major figure in American comedy writing

## Body

### Overview and Significance
M*A*S*H stands as one of American television's most influential series, running for 256 episodes across 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983. The show's title, an acronym for "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital," immediately establishes its unique premise: following military doctors and support staff in a Korean War field hospital. Created by renowned comedy writer Larry Gelbart and produced by 20th Century Fox Television, the series became CBS's flagship program during a transformative period in American television.

### Creative Team and Production
Larry Gelbart (1928–2009), the series creator, brought extensive experience in comedy writing and playwriting to the project. His background in American comedy proved essential in balancing the show's humorous elements with its dramatic war setting. The production company, 20th Century Fox Television, established in 1949, provided the resources and industry connections necessary for an ambitious series that would run for over a decade. The collaboration between Gelbart's creative vision and Fox's production capabilities resulted in a show that pushed television boundaries.

### Broadcasting and Distribution
CBS, the original network for M*A*S*H, has been a major American broadcast television and radio network since its founding on 18 September 1927. The network's commitment to the series allowed it to develop and maintain its unique voice over 11 years. The show's 25-minute episode format became standard for half-hour programming, allowing for both commercial breaks and substantial storytelling. Its Tuesday night time slot became appointment television for millions of American households throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

### Genre and Style Innovation
M*A*S*H defied simple categorization by successfully blending multiple genres. As a black comedy, it used gallows humor to cope with the horrors of war. Its medical drama elements provided realistic surgical procedures and hospital dynamics. The war film aspects grounded the series in historical context, while its comedy-drama approach allowed for tonal shifts between humor and pathos. This genre-blending became a template for future television series seeking to address serious topics through accessible entertainment.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Premiering in 1972, M*A*S*H arrived during the Vietnam War era, though set during the Korean War. This temporal distance allowed the show to critique war and military bureaucracy while avoiding direct political controversy. The series reflected growing American skepticism about military conflicts and government authority. Its anti-establishment themes resonated with audiences experiencing the Watergate scandal and cultural shifts of the 1970s.

### International Recognition
The series' impact extended far beyond American borders, as evidenced by its documentation across 38 Wikipedia language editions. This international recognition demonstrates how M*A*S*H's themes of friendship, survival, and moral complexity in wartime transcended cultural boundaries. The show became a cultural export that influenced global perceptions of American television quality and storytelling sophistication.

### Legacy and Influence
M*A*S*H's 11-year run established records for longevity in television comedy-drama. Its influence can be seen in subsequent series that blend humor with serious themes, from "Scrubs" to "Orange is the New Black." The show proved that television could maintain artistic integrity while achieving commercial success over an extended period. Its finale on 28 February 1983 marked the end of an era in American television, concluding one of the medium's most acclaimed and influential series.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. IMDb
3. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/m-a-s-h)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. BabelNet
6. Kinopoisk
7. Online-Filmdatenbank
8. The Movie Database
9. FilmVandaag.nl
10. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute