About This Quiz
Do you feel like you know more about Trapper John, Hawkeye and Hot Lips Houlihan than you do about the members of your own family? Think you could fit right in with the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, treating patients injured on the battlefield? Take our quiz to prove how much you really know about the classic TV series M*A*S*H!
The Korean War sometimes gets glossed over in the history books because it didn't reach the scope of WWI or WWII, and didn't face the level of controversy associated with the Vietnam War. Despite this lack of attention, the three-year conflict took more than 35,000 American lives with more than 100,000 soldiers injured.
One of the brave men working to save lives in Korea was a surgeon named Richard Hooker, who in 1968 wrote a book about his experiences on the battlefield. The novel inspired a TV movie, and eventually, a TV series called M*A*S*H. The show ran from 1972 to 1983 and was popular with viewers up until the very end. In fact, 77-percent of all Americans tuned in to watch the 1983 season finale of the show.
Since then, the show has lived on in spin-offs and syndication, as viewers remain captivated by the series' ability to mix comedy with an unflinching look at the horrors of war. This duality was most obvious in the some of the most memorable episodes — like the celebratory feel when Henry finally got his discharge papers, which quickly turned to shock when his plane was shot down later in the episode.
Ready to prove your M*A*S*H IQ? Take our quiz to show your skill!
Captain and Chief Surgeon Hawkeye Pierce was played by Alan Alda, who was the central character of the show. Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye in the movie.
Captain and head surgeon Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce is the lead character in M*A*S*H.
Major Houlihan, played by Loretta Swit, took on the nick name of Hot Lips.
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Klinger went so far as to wear dresses to try to get himself sent home to Toledo, OH.
Henry Blake's character, played by McClean Stevenson, was discharged but died when his aircraft was shot down on his way home at the end of season 3.
Hot Lips had a romantic relationship with Major Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville. Frank leaves after season 5, and Hot Lips becomes engaged to marry Donald Penobscott.
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As company clerk, Radar O'Reilly has keen extra-sensory perception, always appearing at his commander's side before being needed and able to hear incoming helicopters before anyone else does.
Radar's character went right from high school and into the Army, so the teddy bear was a bit of a symbol of his youth. The teddy bear sold in an auction in 2005 for $11,800.
B.J. is his real name based on all of the official paper work that Hawkeye can find. But we do find out that the B comes from his mother's name, Bea, and the J from his father's name, Jay.
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Patrick Swayze has a guest roll in the episode called "Blood Brothers."
John Ritter was in one episode of M*A*S*H, but only three years later began his run as Jack Tripper on Three's Company.
The show is based during The Korean War, but the series started while The Vietnam War was still in progress.
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They built a still so they could have all the alcohol they cared to enjoy!
M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
Hawkeye's tent was called The Swamp.
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Radar didn't drink alcohol, so he would always have a Grape Nehi.
All three, plus Charles Emerson Winchester III, lived in The Swamp with Hawkeye at various times throughout the series.
The show first aired in 1972 and ran for 11 seasons. The Oscar winning film was released in 1970.
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The series finale was the most-watched and highest-rated single television episode in U.S. television history at the time, with a record-breaking 125 million viewers!
M*A*S*H was adapted from the 1970 feature film MASH, which was based on the 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, by Richard Hooker.
Father Mulcahy, played by George Morgan in the pilot episode and then by William Christoper in the remaining series, was the Chaplain.
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Trapper John served as chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital after returning home after the Korean War. Trapper John was played by Pernell Roberts in Trapper John, MD.
Mike Farell went on to play Dr. James Hansen, a veterinarian, in the show Providence, which stared Melina Kanakaredes as his daughter.
Frank Burns was temporarily the commanding officer of the unit, until Sherman Potter played by Harry Morgan arrived and took over for seasons 4-11.
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Charles Winchester III is born in Boston and is considered a "blueblood." He is tall, stocky, and losing his hair. He is well-respected as a surgeon, but his snobbish attitude doesn't win him many friends.
Pat Morita taught young Daniel in The Karate Kid and was also well known for his role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on Happy Days.
The song was written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman, the 15 year old son of Robert Altman, the director of the M*A*S*H movie. The producers felt the lyrics weren't appropriate for the TV series but they used an entirely instrumental version for the opening and closing credits.
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Laurence Fishburne appeared in the season-10 episode. He also appeared in an episode of Trapper John, MD. And interestingly, his Matrix costar, Joe Pantoliano, also appeared both on M*A*S*H and Trapper John, M.D.
Andrew Dice Clay played drunken Marine Cpl. Hrabosky who was injured after challenging fellow drunken marines to a motorbike race. This was his first acting role.
Private LaRoche put a pool ball in his mouth as a joke, but then it got stuck! Winchester had to help him get it out. Shelley Long, better known as Diane from Cheers, was also a guest in a M*A*S*H episode called "Bottle Fatigue" in 1980.
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