M.A.S.H. is one of the most celebrated television shows in the history of the planet. In my mind, its fans are dead-on right to give it rave reviews.

Years after its final telecast, I still remember how impressed I was with the acting and the writing, principally by Larry Gelbart. From Alan Alda as Hawkeye to Harry Morgan as Col. Sherman T. Potter, the cast was a marvel of ensemble acting in a comedy.

The funny thing is I hated the movie (directed by Robert Almtan and starring Elliot Gould). I found the writing predictable, not funny, and overdone by half. Even though Gould and Donald Sutherland are among my favorite actors, I didn’t think either were able to overcome the bad lines they were given to recite.

But go figure. The movie was released in the fall of 1970 when anti-Vietnam sentiment was high, and was an instant hit. Ring Lardner Jr. won the Oscar for Best Screenplay and the film was nominated for Best Movie. Sally Kellerman also received a Best Actress nomination for her role as Hotlips.

Judge for yourself. Rent or buy the DVDs—both of the film and the TV series. I will. I want to see if my memories stand up to the real thing.

Buy the “M*A*S*H” - Season 1 dvd today.

Seasoned thespian and all around loveable guy Dennis Hopper started shooting “Crash” this week in New Mexico. “Crash” is the Starz and Lionsgate first foray into television drama. In Hopper’s own words, he plays a “Phil Spector type character”. Interesting…

I’m guessing it’s a spin-off of the Oscar winning movie, Crash, which I absolutely cannot stand. But if the Hopper is in it, I suppose I’ll have to give it a go. They’re shooting 13 episodes, which means the scripts have to be halfway decent.

Source: Indie 103.1 interview with Dennis Hopper (6/13/08)