1. Hawkeye’s Chief Problem
Hawkeye Pierce is appointed Chief Surgeon early in the series—Season 1, Episode 4, to be exact. But wait—no promotion in rank? He’s still outranked by Majors Burns and Winchester despite being the top dog in the OR. Talk about a frustrating chain of command!
Hey there, fellow TV buffs! If you’re a fan of MASH, you already know this iconic series brought a perfect mix of humor, heart, and unforgettable characters. But, as much as we love it, even the best shows have their quirks and slip-ups. Today, we’re diving into some hidden mistakes you probably never noticed while watching MASH*. Let’s see if any of these surprise you!*
2. How Many Christmases Does One War Have?
The Korean War lasted just over three years—1950 to 1953—but on MASH*, it seemed to snow Christmases! We had holiday-themed episodes in 1972, 1978, 1980, and 1981. That’s a lot of holiday cheer for such a short war! It’s like they couldn’t resist squeezing in extra festive moments, even if it bent the timeline.
3. Time Travel, M*A*S*H*-Style
Speaking of timelines, dates in the series jumped all over the place. Early episodes with Trapper John and Henry Blake were often set in 1952 or 1953, while later ones featuring Colonel Potter and B.J. skipped back to 1950 or 1951. The writers played pretty loose with the calendar, making the continuity feel, let’s say… optional.
4. The Blob Before Its Time
Pop culture references made MASH* feel modern, but not all of them made sense. For instance, a nod to The Blob sneaks into the show. Fun reference—except The Blob wasn’t released until 1958, five years after the Korean War ended. Oops!
5. Klinger’s Rank Defies Logic
Ah, Klinger. We love him, but how on earth did this dress-wearing, rule-bending rebel climb to the rank of corporal? By his own admission, he was as rebellious as they come. In reality, someone with his antics might not have even kept a private’s stripe, let alone earned a promotion.
6. Major Houlihan’s Command Issues
Major Margaret Houlihan is a commanding presence, but as a woman in the early 1950s, her authority would’ve been strictly limited to her nursing duties. The show gives her far more command power than would’ve been typical at the time, making for some great drama but not-so-accurate military history.
7. Too Close for Comfort
Characters on MASH* are often shown near exploding artillery shells—sometimes dangerously close. While the blast itself isn’t deadly, flying shrapnel is, and anyone standing that near would’ve been seriously injured, not just knocked down with a comedic tumble.
8. Too Old for the Role
Most of the main cast were decades older than the characters they portrayed. Hawkeye, Trapper, and B.J. were supposed to be fresh out of residency, but Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, and Mike Farrell were all in their mid-30s or older. Jaime Farr, who played Klinger, was nearly 40—well beyond the usual draft age of 18 to 21.
9. Nails That Don’t Belong in the OR
Some of the nurses were seen with long, manicured nails—something that would never fly in an actual operating room. Nurses in the 1950s would’ve kept their nails short and plain for hygiene reasons, but on TV, glamour won out over accuracy.
10. A Credit Quirk
Here’s one for the eagle-eyed fans: In the opening credits of Seasons 1-3, the “T” in McLean Stevenson’s name doesn’t have the same stencil effect as the rest of the lettering. It’s a subtle oddity that stands out once you notice it.
11. Purple Hearts Galore
Here’s a military mix-up: In real life, soldiers are awarded one Purple Heart for their first wound, with oak leaf clusters for additional injuries. But on M*A*S*H, several characters were shown with multiple Purple Hearts. Somebody didn’t double-check that rule!
12. Klinger’s Cap Conundrum
Klinger proudly supports his hometown Toledo Mud Hens, a minor-league baseball team. Yet, he’s spotted wearing a cap for the Texas Rangers—a team that didn’t exist until 1972. A little time-traveling fandom, perhaps?
And there you have it—12 hidden mistakes from MASH that prove even classics aren’t perfect. But hey, it’s those imperfections that give us more reasons to re-watch and smile. Which of these did you already notice? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more nostalgic TV trips!*
