THAT FAMOUS GOODBYE SCENE WAS ACTUALLY A DESPERATE CRY FOR SURVIVAL
Long after the convention center lights had dimmed and the endless crowds of devoted fans had finally gone home, two old friends sat alone in a quiet,…
THE DAY WE SURVIVED THE HEAT BY DROPPING OUR PANTS
I was a guest on a podcast recently, hosted by a wonderfully talented younger actor. He leaned into the microphone with an earnest look on his face…
THE SCENE THAT BROKE THE KINDEST MAN ON TELEVISION
Long after the autograph tables were folded up and the crowds had gone home, two old friends sat in a quiet hotel lobby. Loretta Swit and Mike…
THE SECRET BENEATH THE MAS*H OPERATING TABLE
I was sitting in a studio a few weeks ago, recording a conversation for a television history podcast. The host was asking some incredibly thoughtful questions about the…
MIKE FARRELL AND JAMIE FARR: THE LAUGHTER THAT HID A HEARTBREAK
It was supposed to be a celebration. A moment for old friends to clink glasses and remember the powdered eggs, the sweltering heat of Malibu, and the…
THE HILARIOUS SECRET BENEATH THE MAS*H OPERATING TABLE
I was sitting on a panel stage at a fan convention, looking at a sea of familiar faces. A young woman stepped up to the audience microphone…
THE DAY WE LOST OUR PANTS IN THE OPERATING ROOM
I was sitting down for a podcast interview recently, fully expecting to talk about the usual things. The host and I were discussing the legacy of MAS*H…
FOR MILLIONS, THE SALUTE WAS A WAR-TIME GOODBYE… BUT FOR GARY BURGHOFF, IT WAS PURE SUFFERING.
They were sitting in a sun-drenched modern room, old photographs from the set spread like confetti between them. Loretta Swit and the man who played the camp’s visible…
THE JEEP THAT ALMOST RAN OVER ALAN ALDA
Sorting through mail in my home office recently, I found a gem. Fans of MAS*H still send the most beautiful, heartfelt letters. One letter asked how we…
THE SCENE THAT BROKE THE MOST ARROGANT MAN IN THE CAMP
Long after the television cameras were packed away and the Hollywood lights faded, three old friends sat together in the quiet corner of a hotel lounge. David…