MASH Matters

Jeff & Ryan welcome the dynamic duo of Ken Levine and David Isaacs to MASH Matters!  The legendary Emmy Award-winning writing team discusses their journey from the real-life Army Reserves to writing for the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Ken & David also talk about their writing process, working with Gene Reynolds, their favorite MASH speech, why they left the series, and why the...

Jeff & Ryan open up the MASH Matters mailbag for another round of listener questions. Topics include Radar's headgear, military haircuts, background music, the chopper pad, Private Rich's familiar voice, Igor's long-lost line, and that one time M*A*S*H popped up on St. Elsewhere. Also, we make a surprise phone call! For show notes, episodes, recipes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatters.com  

Major Houlihan just keeps coming back for more! Jeff & Ryan welcome Loretta Swit back to the Mess Tent for more jocularity. Topics include the magic chemistry among M*A*S*H cast members, meeting Turhan Bey, the evolution of women on TV, and Loretta's involvement in the upcoming CNN series about sitcoms. We even talk about her guest stint with The Muppets! (Just don't ask her to watch your favorite...

She's back! Loretta Swit makes her triumphant return to MASH Matters!   In part one, Loretta talks to "Jefigor" & Ryan about her career, her art, and the creation of Margaret Houlihan.   PLUS - Did she want the show to end? What did Margaret really do after the war? What did she think of AfterMASH? Why did she choose M*A*S*H over Cagney & Lacey? And why didn't poor Igor ever find love at the 4077t...

Jeff & Ryan go for the (canned) laughs in this episode of MASH Matters. Who added the laugh track? Why don't other TV shows let you turn off the laugh track? Why doesn't our podcast have a laugh track?  We also discuss residual checks, Ronald Reagan's ranch, M*A*S*H geocaching, Grandpa Walton, Frank's brief command, and that mysterious basketball-playing redhead. Plus, we make a big announcement a...

Why wasn't Pat Morita in more episodes? Whose names were written on the sign in the Officer's Club? What's up with banana daiquiris?  Who played General MacArthur in Big Mac? Who left their bra on the bulletin board? Jeff & Ryan pretend to answer these and other unanswerable questions in this episode of MASH Matters. For show notes, episodes, recipes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatterspodcast.co...

Jeff & Ryan are proud to bring you a MASH Matters EXCLUSIVE: Unedited audio of a real M*A*S*H table read! This recording of the episode "Bottle Fatigue" was recorded by David Odgen Stiers for Michael Hirsh (creator of MAKING MASH and MEMORIES OF MASH). Michael graciously offered this recording to us so that we can share it with you. PLUS - we are joined by Dan Wilcox who wrote "Bottle Fatigue" wit...

What are Jeff's hobbies? What drew Ryan to M*A*S*H? Was Jeff ever invited to appear on AfterMASH? Why didn't Ryan try acting as a profession? WILL THERE BE REFRESHMENTS?! Find out the answers to these and other burning questions as Jeff & Ryan interview... Jeff & Ryan! For show notes, episodes, recipes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatterspodcast.com   

Appendicitis! Ballet Shoes! Accordions! Dirty Fortune Cookies! Jeff & Ryan welcome Marina Bryant, the USO performer whose true story inspired the season 10 two-part episode THAT'S SHOWBIZ! You'll hear about Marina's surgery, her fellow performers, and the soldiers whose stories were brought to life by the M*A*S*H writers and cast. Jeff Maxwell also makes a guest appearance in Marina's story... not...

Jeff & Ryan ring in the new year with a new episode of MASH Matters. We answer listener questions about the M*A*S*H exhibit at the Smithsonian, dancing with the future Mrs. Tom Hanks, the mysterious PA announcer, a suspicious white van in Korea, and more yarn! Plus, Koalas aren't bears. For show notes, episodes, recipes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatterspodcast.com

Jeff & Ryan pick nits and discuss listener's favorite episodes from season five of M*A*S*H. Topics include a farewell to Frank Burns, Margaret's big season, the cutest voice on M*A*S*H, actors playing multiple roles, a tale of two Penobscotts, Johnny Haymer's dubbed voice (again), and the plotline that writer Burt Prelutsky called "stupid." Plus, Jeff & Ryan reveal their favorite season five episo...

How many latrines did Igor dig? How can you turn a grenade into a reading lamp?  What happened to the M*A*S*H time capsule? Jeff & Ryan dust off another stack of old listener questions in this episode of MASH Matters. More topics include Hawkeye's one-man show, that darn laugh track, and Klinger's middle name. Plus, what's with all the yarn?  For show notes, episodes, recipes, bios, and more visit...

Who says too many cooks is a bad thing? Jeff & Ryan welcome the lovely Lesley Nicol to a special episode of MASH Matters. Lesley originated the role of Mrs. Patmore on the critically-acclaimed PBS series Downton Abbey. We discuss her journey to Downton Abbey, a slightly ominous encounter with an Oscar-winning actor, animal activism, her one-woman show, and whether or not she's a good cook in real...

Mail Call! Jeff Maxwell (Private Igor from M*A*S*H) & Ryan Patrick tackle another round of listener questions and voicemails in this episode of MASH Matters. Topics include fan art, listeners' favorite Winchester moments, camp slumber parties, the final day of filming, President Hawkeye Pierce's cabinet, and watching M*A*S*H during a pandemic. Plus, we learn where extras come from and what they're...

Jeff & Ryan welcome special guest Burt Metcalfe to MASH Matters! Burt took over the reins as Executive Producer of M*A*S*H when Gene Reynolds left the show in 1977. In this extensive interview, Burt shares stories from his long career in entertainment as an actor, producer, director, and Emmy-nominated writer. Topics include the passion of Gene Reynolds, the genius of Larry Gelbart, writing with A...

You've got questions? We've got answers! Jeff & Ryan open the MASH Matters mailbag for another round of listener questions and voicemails. Topics include Roy Goldman's beer, shooting away from the camp, creating Igor Straminsky, M*A*S*H in syndication, how to watch the series in Canada, and Ryan's favorite Winchester moments. Listeners also share more stories about M*A*S*H's influence on their liv...

He's here! The big man! The head cheese! Jeff & Ryan are thrilled to welcome the one and only ALAN ALDA to the second anniversary episode of the MASH Matters podcast! The man known as Hawkeye Pierce discusses his life and career - from making his stage debut as a child to writing, directing, and starring in the greatest television show of all time. We discuss his critically-acclaimed podcast, acti...

Jeff & Ryan welcome Brian Goldman to MASH Matters to celebrate the life of Brian's father, the great Roy Goldman. The guys swap stories about Roy acting on Hogan's Heroes, playing Hitler for Mel Brooks, pumping iron with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and landing the role of a lifetime as Best Dad Ever. It's a touching tribute to a very special man. Plus, Brian shares his childhood memories of playing on...

Jeff & Ryan tackle another round of listener questions and voicemails in this episode of MASH Matters. Topics include TV residuals, MASH-inspired pet names, 16-millimeter film, Red Lobster commercials, the old-time radio star that sounds like Jeff, and the MASH episode we would show someone who has never watched the show. Plus - get ready for a HUGE announcement! For show notes, episodes, recipes,...

In this episode of MASH Matters, Jeff & Ryan welcome writer/director/producer Michael Hirsh, the driving force behind two beloved documentaries: 1981's Making M*A*S*H and 1991's Memories of M*A*S*H . Michael shares some wonderful behind-the-scenes stories about writing with Larry Gelbart, battling the studio, working on AfterMASH, and much more. You'll also hear about the mischievous side of David...

Jeff & Ryan dig through some old listener questions (the questions are old, not the listeners) on this episode of MASH Matters. Topics include latrine digging, M*A*S*H on BluRay, continuity errors, angry Radar, dream interviews, the series' most emotional moments, cassette tapes, and the iconic theme song. Plus, we have our first sponsor! For show notes, episodes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatt...

Jeff & Ryan welcome best-selling author Stephen Rebello to a special bonus episode of MASH Matters! Stephen's latest book, Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Beloved Bad Book and Movie of All Time is a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood in the 1960's. Our very own Jeff Maxwell, who spent much of his early years in show business on the lot at 20th Century Fox, was inte...

In the epic conclusion of Jeff & Ryan's interview with Jamie Farr, you'll hear about the evolution of Corporal Klinger, the last days of M*A*S*H, walking around in high heels, landing his dream role on Broadway, and a rather unorthodox method to ask for a raise. For show notes, episodes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatterspodcast.com

Jeff & Ryan welcome the wonderful Jamie Farr to MASH Matters! The Man Who Would Be Klinger talks about his early days in Hollywood, his road to MASH, serving in the US Army in Korea, Jeff's golf game, and working with the great Red Skelton. Plus, Jamie answers some listener questions. This is Part One of a two-part episode. For show notes, episodes, bios, and more visit www.mashmatterspodcast.com

Jeff & Ryan discuss listeners' favorite episodes from Season Four of M*A*S*H. Topics include t he photo on Col. Potter's desk, the guest star who almost played BJ, Ryan's favorite Potterism, Margaret's noticeable absence, and the lost interview of Private Igor. Plus, Jeff & Ryan share their top three Season Four episodes. Sorry, there will be no refreshments. For show notes, episodes, bios, recipe...