AfterMASH and W*A*L*T*E*R - the M*A*S*H Spinoffs

0:03 Callaroga Shark Media. Hello, and welcome to another episode of TV in the Basement, the show where we unearthed the treasures and sometimes the forgotten relics of TV history. I'm Journey Joe Mitchell, your guide through the archives of television's past. Today we're delving into a series that emerged from the shadows of an iconic show. Yes, we're talking about After Mash, the spin off of the legendary Mash. So grab your coffee or your drink of choice, settle in, and let's explore what happened after the War. Set in the immediate aftermath of the Korean War, After Mash follows the lives of Colonel Potter Klinger and father Mulkay as they adjust to civilian life at a veterans hospital in Missouri.

0:48 The premise was promising a deeper look into the struggles of returning veterans and the continuation of stories beloved by millions. Let's meet the cast. Sherman T. Potter played by Harry Morgan. Potter returns home to Missouri after the Korean War. He takes up a position as the chief of staff at General Pershing Veterans Hospital, affectionately known as General General Max Klinger played by Jamie Farr Clinger, known for his attempts to get a psychiatric discharge in Mash by wearing women's clothing, works as an administrative assistant at General General. His storyline often includes dealing with the challenges of civilian life and his relationship with his Korean warbride Soon Lee. Father Francis mulcahey played by William Christopher, faces new challenges in after Mash after experiencing hearing loss due to a mortar attack in the final episodes of Mash. He continues to offer spiritual guidance and support to patients and staff at the hospital despite his disability. Soon Lee Clinger played by Roslin Chow, continues to adapt to her new life in America. Her character adds depth to the storyline, exploring the experiences of an immigrant adjusting to a new culture while maintaining her own. Mike Deange played by John Chappel, a new character introduced in Aftermash. DiAngelo, is the hospital's administrative director. He often represents the bureaucracy and red tape of hospital administration, clashing with Potter and the other staff over policies and procedures. In Aftermash. Mildred Potter, played by Barbara Townsend and

2:21 later by Anne Potoniac, is the wife of Sherman T. Potter. Her presence in Aftermash helps to flesh out Potter's character outside of the military context, offering viewers a glimpse into his personal life and the dynamics of their long standing marriage. Mildred's role in Aftermash is not as central as the main characters working at the General Pershing Veterans Hospital, but she provides a supportive and grounding presence for Potter. Her character often serves to bridge the gap between Potter's professional life at the hospital and his personal life at home, highlighting the challenges and adjustments that come with transitioning from military to civilian life. After MASH, despite its shorter run compared to MASH, had some memorable episodes that stood out for their portrayal of post war challenges and the continued development of beloved characters. Here are a few notable ones September of fifty three together again, these initial episodes serve as a bridge from MASH to Aftermash. They show Colonel Potter, Klinger and Father Mulkayhey adjusting to civilian life and reuniting at General Pershing Veterans Hospital. These episodes are significant for setting up the premise of the series and establishing the new dynamics of the characters in a peacetime setting. Fallout. This episode tackles the issue of nuclear warfare and its potential impact, a topic that was particularly relevant during the nineteen eighties. The episode is notable for blending humor with serious commentary on a global concern, reminiscent of Mash's approach to addressing heavy themes. All

3:53 about Christmas Eve, this holiday themed episode focuses on the staff at General Pershing trying to bring Christmas cheer to the patients. It's memorable for its heartwarming portrayal of the characters trying to maintain festive spirits in the face of the more somber setting of a veteran's hospital. Wet Feet, this episode highlights the bureaucratic challenges faced in the hospital, particularly focusing on Clinger's struggles with red tape and administrative hurdles. It's notable for showcasing the ongoing adjustment issues faced by veterans and the staff dedicated to helping them trials. This episode is significant for addressing the trials both literal and metaphorical, that the characters face in their daily lives at the hospital, dealing with personal and professional challenges. Gary Berghoff reprised his role as Radar in a two part episode titled It Had to Be You. His appearance was highly anticipated, as Radar was one of the most beloved characters from MASH.

4:53 In these episodes, Radar visits Saint Louis to attend a police officer's convention and ends up at General General Hospital, where he reconnects with Colonel Potter Klinger and Father Mulkay. The storyline provided an opportunity to explore what happened to Radar after his discharge from the army and offered closure to fans who had followed his character's journey from MASH. If you're wondering about Radar being a police officer that comes from the other MASH spin off, the failed pilot Walter. The pilot episode was aired as a special on CBS, but did not lead to a full series in Walter. After returning from the Korean War, Walter O'Reilly, formerly the innocent and naive Radar of MASH, tries to adjust to civilian life.

5:33 The show finds him leaving the farm in Iowa, where he had returned at the end of his service in the army, to become a police officer in Saint Louis, Missouri. The episode focuses on his experiences in adjusting to city life and his new job, which presents challenges vastly different from what he encountered at the Mash Unit. The story highlights his innate kindness, sense of justice, and the enduring innocence that made Radars such a beloved character. However, he also deals with feelings of loneliness and the difficulty of fitting into a post war world that has moved on without him. Despite the potential of the concept and the popularity of the character, the pilot did not result in a series, partly because it lacked the ensemble cast dynamic that was crucial to the success of Mash. After Mash initially started strong in ratings, benefiting from the immense popularity of Mash. However, as the series progressed, viewership began to decline. Critics often pointed out that while the show retained some of the original's humor and charm, it lacked the ensemble chemistry and sharp writing that made Mash iconic. The transition from a war setting to a stateside veterans hospital changed the show's dynamics and it didn't resonate as strongly with the audience. And that brings us to the end of our journey through Aftermash. What started as a promising continuation of a beloved series capturing the complexities of life post war or eventually faded from the television landscape, Aftermash serves as a reminder of how challenging it can

7:05 be to follow a giant like Mash, especially when trying to replicate the magic of something so unique and impactful. As we sign off from this episode of TV and the Basement, we remember the laughs, the tears, and the lessons from both Mash and Aftermash. I'm journey Joe Mitchell, and I thank you for joining me on this nostalgic trip. Stay tuned for more deep dives into the shows that shaped our screens in our lives. Until next time, keep watching, keep reflecting, and keep those memories alive.