Dec. 1, 2023
AfterMASH and W*A*L*T*E*R - the M*A*S*H Spinoffs
"AfterMASH" is a spin-off of the acclaimed TV series "MASH," focusing on the post-war lives of several characters from the original show, including Sherman Potter, Maxwell Klinger, and Father Mulcahy. Set in a veteran's hospital in Missouri, the...
"AfterMASH" is a spin-off of the acclaimed TV series "MASH," focusing on the post-war lives of several characters from the original show, including Sherman Potter, Maxwell Klinger, and Father Mulcahy. Set in a veteran's hospital in Missouri, the series shifts from the warzone to the challenges and adjustments of peacetime, blending comedy with issues faced by veterans. Despite its initial success and high expectations, "AfterMASH" struggled to capture the essence and popularity of its predecessor, leading to its cancellation after two seasons, leaving a legacy as an ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to continue the "MASH" narrative.
Another M*A*S*H spinoff was W*A*L*T*E*R in which Radar leaves the farm to become a police officer.
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5967110/advertisement
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:11.720
Callaroga Shark Media. Hello, and
welcome to another episode of TV in the
2
00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:16.120
Basement, the show where we unearthed
the treasures and sometimes the forgotten relics of
3
00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:21.280
TV history. I'm Journey Joe Mitchell, your guide through the archives of television's
4
00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:25.920
past. Today we're delving into a
series that emerged from the shadows of an
5
00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:30.039
iconic show. Yes, we're talking
about After Mash, the spin off of
6
00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:34.320
the legendary Mash. So grab your
coffee or your drink of choice, settle
7
00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:38.920
in, and let's explore what happened
after the War. Set in the immediate
8
00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:44.119
aftermath of the Korean War, After
Mash follows the lives of Colonel Potter Klinger
9
00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.320
and father Mulkay as they adjust to
civilian life at a veterans hospital in Missouri.
10
00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:52.920
The premise was promising a deeper look
into the struggles of returning veterans and
11
00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:58.640
the continuation of stories beloved by millions. Let's meet the cast. Sherman T.
12
00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:03.240
Potter played by Harry Morgan. Potter
returns home to Missouri after the Korean
13
00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:06.719
War. He takes up a position
as the chief of staff at General Pershing
14
00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:14.000
Veterans Hospital, affectionately known as General
General Max Klinger played by Jamie Farr Clinger,
15
00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:18.079
known for his attempts to get a
psychiatric discharge in Mash by wearing women's
16
00:01:18.120 --> 00:01:23.120
clothing, works as an administrative assistant
at General General. His storyline often includes
17
00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:27.920
dealing with the challenges of civilian life
and his relationship with his Korean warbride Soon
18
00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:34.760
Lee. Father Francis mulcahey played by
William Christopher, faces new challenges in after
19
00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:38.640
Mash after experiencing hearing loss due to
a mortar attack in the final episodes of
20
00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:44.319
Mash. He continues to offer spiritual
guidance and support to patients and staff at
21
00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:49.439
the hospital despite his disability. Soon
Lee Clinger played by Roslin Chow, continues
22
00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.319
to adapt to her new life in
America. Her character adds depth to the
23
00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:57.200
storyline, exploring the experiences of an
immigrant adjusting to a new culture while maintaining
24
00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:02.359
her own. Mike Deange played by
John Chappel, a new character introduced in
25
00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:09.120
Aftermash. DiAngelo, is the hospital's
administrative director. He often represents the bureaucracy
26
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:14.800
and red tape of hospital administration,
clashing with Potter and the other staff over
27
00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:21.280
policies and procedures. In Aftermash.
Mildred Potter, played by Barbara Townsend and
28
00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:24.759
later by Anne Potoniac, is the
wife of Sherman T. Potter. Her
29
00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:30.960
presence in Aftermash helps to flesh out
Potter's character outside of the military context,
30
00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.400
offering viewers a glimpse into his personal
life and the dynamics of their long standing
31
00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:40.159
marriage. Mildred's role in Aftermash is
not as central as the main characters working
32
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:46.360
at the General Pershing Veterans Hospital,
but she provides a supportive and grounding presence
33
00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:51.560
for Potter. Her character often serves
to bridge the gap between Potter's professional life
34
00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:55.599
at the hospital and his personal life
at home, highlighting the challenges and adjustments
35
00:02:55.599 --> 00:03:01.479
that come with transitioning from military to
civilian life. After MASH, despite its
36
00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:06.759
shorter run compared to MASH, had
some memorable episodes that stood out for their
37
00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:10.919
portrayal of post war challenges and the
continued development of beloved characters. Here are
38
00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:17.639
a few notable ones September of fifty
three together again, these initial episodes serve
39
00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.400
as a bridge from MASH to Aftermash. They show Colonel Potter, Klinger and
40
00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:29.280
Father Mulkayhey adjusting to civilian life and
reuniting at General Pershing Veterans Hospital. These
41
00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:32.360
episodes are significant for setting up the
premise of the series and establishing the new
42
00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.039
dynamics of the characters in a peacetime
setting. Fallout. This episode tackles the
43
00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:43.960
issue of nuclear warfare and its potential
impact, a topic that was particularly relevant
44
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.919
during the nineteen eighties. The episode
is notable for blending humor with serious commentary
45
00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:53.000
on a global concern, reminiscent of
Mash's approach to addressing heavy themes. All
46
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:58.879
about Christmas Eve, this holiday themed
episode focuses on the staff at General Pershing
47
00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:02.599
trying to bring Christmas cheer to the
patients. It's memorable for its heartwarming portrayal
48
00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:08.919
of the characters trying to maintain festive
spirits in the face of the more somber
49
00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:15.759
setting of a veteran's hospital. Wet
Feet, this episode highlights the bureaucratic challenges
50
00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:19.720
faced in the hospital, particularly focusing
on Clinger's struggles with red tape and administrative
51
00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:25.680
hurdles. It's notable for showcasing the
ongoing adjustment issues faced by veterans and the
52
00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:31.199
staff dedicated to helping them trials.
This episode is significant for addressing the trials
53
00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:35.639
both literal and metaphorical, that the
characters face in their daily lives at the
54
00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:43.199
hospital, dealing with personal and professional
challenges. Gary Berghoff reprised his role as
55
00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:47.439
Radar in a two part episode titled
It Had to Be You. His appearance
56
00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:53.600
was highly anticipated, as Radar was
one of the most beloved characters from MASH.
57
00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:57.920
In these episodes, Radar visits Saint
Louis to attend a police officer's convention
58
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.720
and ends up at General General Hospital, where he reconnects with Colonel Potter Klinger
59
00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:06.800
and Father Mulkay. The storyline provided
an opportunity to explore what happened to Radar
60
00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:12.120
after his discharge from the army and
offered closure to fans who had followed his
61
00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:16.519
character's journey from MASH. If you're
wondering about Radar being a police officer that
62
00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:20.240
comes from the other MASH spin off, the failed pilot Walter. The pilot
63
00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:24.680
episode was aired as a special on
CBS, but did not lead to a
64
00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:29.759
full series in Walter. After returning
from the Korean War, Walter O'Reilly,
65
00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.720
formerly the innocent and naive Radar of
MASH, tries to adjust to civilian life.
66
00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:38.360
The show finds him leaving the farm
in Iowa, where he had returned
67
00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:41.680
at the end of his service in
the army, to become a police officer
68
00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:46.839
in Saint Louis, Missouri. The
episode focuses on his experiences in adjusting to
69
00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:50.720
city life and his new job,
which presents challenges vastly different from what he
70
00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:56.680
encountered at the Mash Unit. The
story highlights his innate kindness, sense of
71
00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:01.480
justice, and the enduring innocence that
made Radars such a beloved character. However,
72
00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:05.480
he also deals with feelings of loneliness
and the difficulty of fitting into a
73
00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:11.360
post war world that has moved on
without him. Despite the potential of the
74
00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:15.720
concept and the popularity of the character, the pilot did not result in a
75
00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:19.399
series, partly because it lacked the
ensemble cast dynamic that was crucial to the
76
00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:26.879
success of Mash. After Mash initially
started strong in ratings, benefiting from the
77
00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:31.199
immense popularity of Mash. However,
as the series progressed, viewership began to
78
00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:35.800
decline. Critics often pointed out that
while the show retained some of the original's
79
00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:42.120
humor and charm, it lacked the
ensemble chemistry and sharp writing that made Mash
80
00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:46.240
iconic. The transition from a war
setting to a stateside veterans hospital changed the
81
00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:50.600
show's dynamics and it didn't resonate as
strongly with the audience. And that brings
82
00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:55.839
us to the end of our journey
through Aftermash. What started as a promising
83
00:06:55.879 --> 00:07:00.480
continuation of a beloved series capturing the
complexities of life post war or eventually faded
84
00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:05.560
from the television landscape, Aftermash serves
as a reminder of how challenging it can
85
00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:10.920
be to follow a giant like Mash, especially when trying to replicate the magic
86
00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:15.920
of something so unique and impactful.
As we sign off from this episode of
87
00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:19.079
TV and the Basement, we remember
the laughs, the tears, and the
88
00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:24.439
lessons from both Mash and Aftermash.
I'm journey Joe Mitchell, and I thank
89
00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:28.720
you for joining me on this nostalgic
trip. Stay tuned for more deep dives
90
00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.160
into the shows that shaped our screens
in our lives. Until next time,
91
00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.240
keep watching, keep reflecting, and
keep those memories alive.
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:11.720
Callaroga Shark Media. Hello, and
welcome to another episode of TV in the
2
00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:16.120
Basement, the show where we unearthed
the treasures and sometimes the forgotten relics of
3
00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:21.280
TV history. I'm Journey Joe Mitchell, your guide through the archives of television's
4
00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:25.920
past. Today we're delving into a
series that emerged from the shadows of an
5
00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:30.039
iconic show. Yes, we're talking
about After Mash, the spin off of
6
00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:34.320
the legendary Mash. So grab your
coffee or your drink of choice, settle
7
00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:38.920
in, and let's explore what happened
after the War. Set in the immediate
8
00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:44.119
aftermath of the Korean War, After
Mash follows the lives of Colonel Potter Klinger
9
00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.320
and father Mulkay as they adjust to
civilian life at a veterans hospital in Missouri.
10
00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:52.920
The premise was promising a deeper look
into the struggles of returning veterans and
11
00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:58.640
the continuation of stories beloved by millions. Let's meet the cast. Sherman T.
12
00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:03.240
Potter played by Harry Morgan. Potter
returns home to Missouri after the Korean
13
00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:06.719
War. He takes up a position
as the chief of staff at General Pershing
14
00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:14.000
Veterans Hospital, affectionately known as General
General Max Klinger played by Jamie Farr Clinger,
15
00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:18.079
known for his attempts to get a
psychiatric discharge in Mash by wearing women's
16
00:01:18.120 --> 00:01:23.120
clothing, works as an administrative assistant
at General General. His storyline often includes
17
00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:27.920
dealing with the challenges of civilian life
and his relationship with his Korean warbride Soon
18
00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:34.760
Lee. Father Francis mulcahey played by
William Christopher, faces new challenges in after
19
00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:38.640
Mash after experiencing hearing loss due to
a mortar attack in the final episodes of
20
00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:44.319
Mash. He continues to offer spiritual
guidance and support to patients and staff at
21
00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:49.439
the hospital despite his disability. Soon
Lee Clinger played by Roslin Chow, continues
22
00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.319
to adapt to her new life in
America. Her character adds depth to the
23
00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:57.200
storyline, exploring the experiences of an
immigrant adjusting to a new culture while maintaining
24
00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:02.359
her own. Mike Deange played by
John Chappel, a new character introduced in
25
00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:09.120
Aftermash. DiAngelo, is the hospital's
administrative director. He often represents the bureaucracy
26
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:14.800
and red tape of hospital administration,
clashing with Potter and the other staff over
27
00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:21.280
policies and procedures. In Aftermash.
Mildred Potter, played by Barbara Townsend and
28
00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:24.759
later by Anne Potoniac, is the
wife of Sherman T. Potter. Her
29
00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:30.960
presence in Aftermash helps to flesh out
Potter's character outside of the military context,
30
00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.400
offering viewers a glimpse into his personal
life and the dynamics of their long standing
31
00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:40.159
marriage. Mildred's role in Aftermash is
not as central as the main characters working
32
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:46.360
at the General Pershing Veterans Hospital,
but she provides a supportive and grounding presence
33
00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:51.560
for Potter. Her character often serves
to bridge the gap between Potter's professional life
34
00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:55.599
at the hospital and his personal life
at home, highlighting the challenges and adjustments
35
00:02:55.599 --> 00:03:01.479
that come with transitioning from military to
civilian life. After MASH, despite its
36
00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:06.759
shorter run compared to MASH, had
some memorable episodes that stood out for their
37
00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:10.919
portrayal of post war challenges and the
continued development of beloved characters. Here are
38
00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:17.639
a few notable ones September of fifty
three together again, these initial episodes serve
39
00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.400
as a bridge from MASH to Aftermash. They show Colonel Potter, Klinger and
40
00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:29.280
Father Mulkayhey adjusting to civilian life and
reuniting at General Pershing Veterans Hospital. These
41
00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:32.360
episodes are significant for setting up the
premise of the series and establishing the new
42
00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.039
dynamics of the characters in a peacetime
setting. Fallout. This episode tackles the
43
00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:43.960
issue of nuclear warfare and its potential
impact, a topic that was particularly relevant
44
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.919
during the nineteen eighties. The episode
is notable for blending humor with serious commentary
45
00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:53.000
on a global concern, reminiscent of
Mash's approach to addressing heavy themes. All
46
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:58.879
about Christmas Eve, this holiday themed
episode focuses on the staff at General Pershing
47
00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:02.599
trying to bring Christmas cheer to the
patients. It's memorable for its heartwarming portrayal
48
00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:08.919
of the characters trying to maintain festive
spirits in the face of the more somber
49
00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:15.759
setting of a veteran's hospital. Wet
Feet, this episode highlights the bureaucratic challenges
50
00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:19.720
faced in the hospital, particularly focusing
on Clinger's struggles with red tape and administrative
51
00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:25.680
hurdles. It's notable for showcasing the
ongoing adjustment issues faced by veterans and the
52
00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:31.199
staff dedicated to helping them trials.
This episode is significant for addressing the trials
53
00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:35.639
both literal and metaphorical, that the
characters face in their daily lives at the
54
00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:43.199
hospital, dealing with personal and professional
challenges. Gary Berghoff reprised his role as
55
00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:47.439
Radar in a two part episode titled
It Had to Be You. His appearance
56
00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:53.600
was highly anticipated, as Radar was
one of the most beloved characters from MASH.
57
00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:57.920
In these episodes, Radar visits Saint
Louis to attend a police officer's convention
58
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.720
and ends up at General General Hospital, where he reconnects with Colonel Potter Klinger
59
00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:06.800
and Father Mulkay. The storyline provided
an opportunity to explore what happened to Radar
60
00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:12.120
after his discharge from the army and
offered closure to fans who had followed his
61
00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:16.519
character's journey from MASH. If you're
wondering about Radar being a police officer that
62
00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:20.240
comes from the other MASH spin off, the failed pilot Walter. The pilot
63
00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:24.680
episode was aired as a special on
CBS, but did not lead to a
64
00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:29.759
full series in Walter. After returning
from the Korean War, Walter O'Reilly,
65
00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.720
formerly the innocent and naive Radar of
MASH, tries to adjust to civilian life.
66
00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:38.360
The show finds him leaving the farm
in Iowa, where he had returned
67
00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:41.680
at the end of his service in
the army, to become a police officer
68
00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:46.839
in Saint Louis, Missouri. The
episode focuses on his experiences in adjusting to
69
00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:50.720
city life and his new job,
which presents challenges vastly different from what he
70
00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:56.680
encountered at the Mash Unit. The
story highlights his innate kindness, sense of
71
00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:01.480
justice, and the enduring innocence that
made Radars such a beloved character. However,
72
00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:05.480
he also deals with feelings of loneliness
and the difficulty of fitting into a
73
00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:11.360
post war world that has moved on
without him. Despite the potential of the
74
00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:15.720
concept and the popularity of the character, the pilot did not result in a
75
00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:19.399
series, partly because it lacked the
ensemble cast dynamic that was crucial to the
76
00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:26.879
success of Mash. After Mash initially
started strong in ratings, benefiting from the
77
00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:31.199
immense popularity of Mash. However,
as the series progressed, viewership began to
78
00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:35.800
decline. Critics often pointed out that
while the show retained some of the original's
79
00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:42.120
humor and charm, it lacked the
ensemble chemistry and sharp writing that made Mash
80
00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:46.240
iconic. The transition from a war
setting to a stateside veterans hospital changed the
81
00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:50.600
show's dynamics and it didn't resonate as
strongly with the audience. And that brings
82
00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:55.839
us to the end of our journey
through Aftermash. What started as a promising
83
00:06:55.879 --> 00:07:00.480
continuation of a beloved series capturing the
complexities of life post war or eventually faded
84
00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:05.560
from the television landscape, Aftermash serves
as a reminder of how challenging it can
85
00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:10.920
be to follow a giant like Mash, especially when trying to replicate the magic
86
00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:15.920
of something so unique and impactful.
As we sign off from this episode of
87
00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:19.079
TV and the Basement, we remember
the laughs, the tears, and the
88
00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:24.439
lessons from both Mash and Aftermash.
I'm journey Joe Mitchell, and I thank
89
00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:28.720
you for joining me on this nostalgic
trip. Stay tuned for more deep dives
90
00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.160
into the shows that shaped our screens
in our lives. Until next time,
91
00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.240
keep watching, keep reflecting, and
keep those memories alive.