Yeah, my parents had a TV in the early 50's. I remember watching the announcement of the end of the Korean War in '53. Too bad it took about 20 years before I could watch MASH, ostensibly about the Korean War but really about the Vietnam War.
Why? (Note. it did not premier 'at the height of the Vietnam War'. *By Sept of '72 the last of the American combat units had been withdrawn. Yeah though, we did bomb the shit out of Hanoi over Christmas that year. )
AI Overview
Although "MASH" is set during the Korean War, it is widely considered to be about the Vietnam War because the show's themes, like the absurdity of war, the emotional toll on soldiers, and anti-war sentiment, heavily mirrored the public discourse surrounding the Vietnam War during the time it aired, allowing viewers to interpret the show as an allegory for their current conflict despite the different historical setting.
Key points about why MASH is associated with Vietnam:
Airing during Vietnam War:
The show premiered and ran during the height of the Vietnam War, making it highly relevant to contemporary social issues and public opinion about the conflict.
Anti-war themes:
The show's portrayal of the characters' cynicism towards war, the senselessness of violence, and the psychological impact on soldiers resonated deeply with people who were critical of the Vietnam War.
Character portrayal:
Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda, was seen as a representation of the disillusioned Vietnam War era soldier with his anti-establishment attitude and desire to avoid combat.
Social commentary:
By using the Korean War as a backdrop, the show was able to critique the Vietnam War without directly addressing it, allowing for a more nuanced and impactful commentary.
How many unobservant people think that MASH was about ...
Feb 16, 2020 — “While the show is traditionally viewed as a comedy, many episodes had a more serious tone. Early seasons aired on net...
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What do Korean War veterans think of M*A*S*H? - Quora
Oct 8, 2018 — I didn't like it. I respected our medical support troops and felt that it demeaned them. Our (Norwegian) MASH was nothi...
Quora
M*A*S*H's Alan Alda Was an Army Officer in Korea and ...
Dec 15, 2021 — Alda said his Army experience and the soldiers he met who had been in the war helped shape his TV character and the di...
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AI Overview
*Yes, by September 1972, most American combat units had already withdrawn from Vietnam, with the last ground combat troops departing on August 11, 1972, as part of the "Vietnamization" policy, meaning the US primarily relied on airpower to support South Vietnamese forces at that point; the final withdrawal of all American troops occurred in March 1973 with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
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