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There a lot of lovable characters on the classic sitcom "M*A*S*H," but Father Frances Mulcahy, played by William Christopher, is easily among the most lovable. He's kind of an odd duck, an Irish Catholic priest who is wise beyond his years in many ways but is also occasionally rather childlike. Despite being a priest, he rarely harps on his comrades for any perceived moral failures, understanding that morality is complicated (especially in wartime), and people's morality is between them and their maker. He's complicated and compelling, and Christopher's performance is integral to making him feel real. It's funny, because Christopher originally completely tanked his audition, but he ended up bringing so much to Mulcahy that he and the character became somewhat inextricable. Heck, writer and co-star Alan Alda even created an episode around Christopher's bout with hepatitis in a case of art mirroring life.

There was...

Some television shows seem to disappear almost the second they first air, while others have reasonably solid runs, but then they fade into obscurity.

Then there are the shows that smash records, revolutionize genres, give us moments we remember for decades, or otherwise achieve unprecedented success.

Here are 17 of those incredible shows.

I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

I Love Lucy was pioneering in many ways. It featured an interracial couple married in real life, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Lucy's unique brand of physical humor drew everyone in.

Iconic moments from the CBS show, like Season 1 Episode 30: Lucy Does a TV Commercial, also called the Vitameatavegimen episode, have become permanent parts of American culture.

Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch for So Many Reasons

We all remember seeing that and other remarkable moments like Lucy working at a candy factory, stomping grapes, or giving birth to Ricky.

The classic wartime sitcom series "M*A*S*H" was entirely fictional, but it was often inspired by real people and events. Heck, Alan Alda, who starred as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce and also wrote, directed, and served as a consultant on the series, even served as an Army officer in Korea shortly after the war — though he was not in a medical unit. Not only that but Jamie Farr, who played the eccentric yet lovable Corporal Klinger, served during the Korean War and even wore his own dog tags on the show. Both of them helped bring some authenticity, but even then it was important for the series' head honchos to get a better understanding of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (Mash) life, which meant visiting the United States Army's 8055th, still stationed in South Korea at the time.

In the DVD commentary for "M*A*S*H" (via the book "TV's M...

Long before streaming, DVRs, and even the popularity of VCRs, there were certain shows considered appointment television. Perhaps no other series fits the description more than M*A*S*H. Fox celebrated the landmark sitcom with M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a reunion special executive-produced by John Scheinfeld and Andy Kaplan. The two-hour show delved into what made the beloved series about the 4077th Medical Corps on the front lines of the Korean War strike such a cord. Many of the stars and important figures from M*A*S*H reflect on its historic 11-season run, 40 years after the series finale, still the most-watched telecast in history. Among them Alan Alda (Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre) and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips...

On Monday, Jan. 1, M*A*S*H fans are invited to ring in the new year with M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a two-hour special airing on Fox and featuring new interviews with series vets Alan Alda (who played Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger) and Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), as well as the late Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre) and William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy).

M*A*S*H executive producers Gene Reynolds and...

For a television series that ranked in the Nielsen ratings' top ten for nine of its 11 seasons, "M*A*S*H" experienced a surprising amount of cast turnover. McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake) and Wayne Rogers (Trapper John McIntyre) departed after the third season, and these were huge losses (the manner in which Stevenson was written out of the show angered fans and CBS executives alike). But the producers deftly assuaged viewers concerns by promoting Jamie Farr's cross-dressing Corporal Klinger and hiring Harry Morgan to play the gruff but fair Colonel Sherman T. Potter.

The next significant loss arrived at the end of the fifth season, when Larry Linville exited the series. This left the "M*A*S*H" team with the difficult task of finding an actor capable of playing a pompous walking bulls-eye on par with Linville's Frank Burns. Some of the show's biggest laughs erupted from the company's gleeful tormenting of the humorless surgeon.

Few shows in the history of broadcast television can ever claim they were as successful as "M*A*S*H." Based on Richard Hooker's book "Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors," and the Robert Altman film that previously adapted that same book, the series aired for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983 totaling a whopping 256 episodes. Its series finale remains the most-watched finale of any TV series. Unfortunately, the spin-off "AfterMASH" couldn't recapture that same magic — and the show's creator thinks he knows why.

The spin-off series only lasted two seasons, with the second season having its run cut short after the ratings plummeted. It was a short-lived experiment that failed to live up to its predecessor. In "TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book," author Ed Solomonson spoke with "AfterMASH" co-creator Larry Gelbart, who also developed the original show. When asked about the spin-off, Gelbart first...

The iconic M*A*S*H TV series is being celebrated on New Years' Day. Fox will air an all-new special, M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, celebrating the groundbreaking comedy with new cast interviews and more. The series aired on CBS for 11 seasons between 1972 and 1983.

Starring Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, and David Ogden Stiers, the series followed those working at the 4077th, a U.S. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.

Read More…...

Fox is kicking off the new year by celebrating one of television’s greatest ever shows. The network will air a two-hour special M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television on Monday, January 1, 2024 at 8/7c. In it, those who made M*A*S*H celebrate one of the most beloved, enduringly popular, often quoted and influential comedies ever created. The special about the television classic will feature new interviews with original cast members Alan Alda (Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre), and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) and series executive producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe. These will reveal the creation and evolution of the show’s iconic characters as well as rare and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage,...

Fox is ringing in the new year by turning back the clock four decades.

The network announced Wednesday that on Jan. 1 it will air M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a two-hour special featuring new interviews with surviving cast members Alan Alda (Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt) and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan), as well as EPs Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe.

More from TVLineJane Seymour Is Pitching a Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman RevivalMasked Singer's Sea Queen Revealed?...

Fox will celebrate Mash: The Comedy That Changed Television in a new two-hour special set to air Monday, January 1 at 8 pm on the network.

A definitive look at the 14-time Emmy-winning television classic, the special centers around new interviews with original cast members Alan Alda (Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce), Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy), Jamie Farr (Cpl./Sgt. Maxwell Q. “Max” Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt), Wayne Rogers (Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre) and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) and series executive producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe.

“In these intimate, highly personal remembrances, the creation and evolution of the show’s iconic characters are revealed, alongside rare and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, photos and stories,” according to Fox.

Writer/producer Larry Gelbart, as well as additional series stars Larry Linville (Maj. Frank Burns), Harry Morgan (Col. Sherman T. Potter), McLean Stevenson (Lt.

"M*A*S*H" might've been one of the most popular series of the 1970s and early '80s, but it never drew the eyeballs of the man who made the hit movie on which it was based.

Robert Altman's aversion to the show wasn't prompted by antipathy toward the medium. The legendary filmmaker directed loads of television before his film career caught fire, and returned to the small screen several times (most notably with the brilliant political satire "Tanner '88"). And while he was one of the most critically lauded directors to come out of the New Hollywood revolution, the man was no snob; aside from the anarchic bawdiness of "M*A*S*H," he knocked out shaggy genre flicks like "The Long Goodbye" and "Thieves Like Us," and deigned to shoot a live-action adaptation of a kids cartoon with "Popeye."

You'd think he would've enjoyed the CBS sitcom as much as the rest of us,...

If you caught up with "M*A*S*H" sometime after the beloved wartime sitcom ended its much-lauded original run, you'd be forgiven for having no clue about the series' spinoffs. After all, 50 years after it first aired, "M*A*S*H" remains a major pillar of TV history -- for its rollicking anti-authority spirit and bleeding heart attitude, its genre-blending and experimental episodes, and its record-breaking finale telecast, which is still by some measures the most-watched in the history of television. "AfterMASH," though? Well, not so much.

It's a testament to the flagship series' strengths that decades after it ended, its bizarre and short-lived spinoffs haven't tainted its reputation at all. In fact, they've mostly been forgotten, in part because they're unavailable on streaming and tough to find on home video. Three "M*A*S*H" spinoffs were made in hopes of capitalizing on some of the original series' magic, but only one -- the...

The popularity of "M*A*S*H" is well-documented: Its record-setting finale telecast, which captivated 125 million people in total, is cited in media studies lessons, bar trivia games, and world record books alike. But when we talk about how "M*A*S*H" went out on a high note with the most-watched non-Super Bowl telecast of all time, we don't often talk about what those viewership numbers make clear: The show ended while plenty of fans were still clamoring for more.

"M*A*S*H" ran for 11 seasons before bowing out with the feature-length finale, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen." But unlike most shows that fizzle out after a long run or are canceled after a short one, "M*A*S*H" didn't have trouble getting audiences' attention. According to classic TV ratings databases, nine of the show's seasons were among the top 10 most-watched shows on TV, and millions of fans tuned in regularly even before its big finish. By all indications, the...

Loretta Swit remembers well the night she won her first Emmy Award.

On Sept. 7, 1980, the “Mash” star sat in her agent’s living room in Beverly Hills, watching the ceremony on TV when she heard her name called out and saw her picture flash on the screen. Swit was not in the audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium that year because her union, the Screen Actors Guild, was on strike.

Swit and her fellow “Mash” troupers Alan Alda, Mike Farrell and Jamie Farr were among the most vocal and visible actors on picket lines and at press conferences when SAG initiated its first work stoppage in 20 years on July 21, 1980. The reality of her Emmy win – after seven consecutive nominations — sunk in for Swit when she suddenly got a phone call from Europe from her friend Jacqueline Bisset. “She was so excited. She said, ‘Hey, you won!’ ” Swit recalls.

Forty-three years later,...

Eileen Saki, who portrayed Rosie, the sassy boss of the popular watering hole that hosted Hawkeye Pierce, Hot Lips Houlihan and others from the 4077th on the legendary series M*A*S*H, has died. She was 79.

Saki died Monday in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, her rep, Camilla Fluxman Pines, told The Hollywood Reporter.

The delightful Saki appeared as the owner of Rose’s Bar — which actually existed in Seoul during the Korean War — on eight episodes of the CBS series from 1976 until its 1981 conclusion. (Frances Fong had played Rosie a couple of times in 1976-77.)

Earlier, Saki had portrayed the head madam of a brothel impressed by Cpl. Klinger’s (Jamie Farr) wardrobe on the show’s fifth-season premiere episode, “Bug Out,” which aired in September 1976.

She also showed up on other TV series including Good Times, CHiPs, The Greatest American Hero, Gimme a Break!...

Actress Judy Farrell, best known for playing Nurse Able on hit 1970s-’80s sitcom “M*A*S*H”, has died at age 84.

The actress’ son, Michael Farrell, told TMZ that she died Sunday in hospital, having suffered a stroke nine days earlier.

Farrell appeared in eight episodes of “M*A*S*H”, and at the time was married to series star Mike Farrell, who joined the cast in 1975 as surgeon B.J. Hunnicutt.

Mike Farrell and then-wife Judy. (Photo by Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

In addition to “M*A*S*H”, Farrell’s acting career also included guest-starring appearances on such TV series as “Get Smart”, “The Partridge Family” and “Quincy, M.E.”. On the big screen, she was featured in the movies “J.W. Coop” (1971), “Chapter Two” (1979) and “Long-Term Relationship” (2006).

Read More: Alan Alda Commemorates 50 Years Of ‘M*A*S*H’, Recalls Emotional Episode That ‘Shocked’ Viewers

Following the Farrells’ divorce in 1983, she subsequently married actor/producer Joe Bratcher.

Former 4077th M*A*S*H roommates Alan Alda and Mike Farrell reunited on Saturday to toast the 50th anniversary of the acclaimed war comedy’s premiere.

“Mike Farrell and I today toasting the 50th anniversary of the show that changed our lives – and our brilliant pals who made it what it was,” Alda wrote on Twitter, sharing the photo below of him and Farrell sharing some proper wine versus anything from the Swamp’s still. “Mash was a great gift to us.”

More from TVLineTVLine Items: Donuts Star Eyes CBS Return, Lodge 49 Renewed and MoreDavid Ogden Stiers, Emmy...

We write about so much great television, both past and present. But even in that rarefied group of critically acclaimed and publicly loved series, we talk about some shows more, rewatch them more and, frankly, love them just a little bit more than the others. And one of those is M*A*S*H, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its series premiere on September 17. M*A*S*H spent most of its run from the early 1970s to the early 1980s as a Top 10-rated sitcom, and it’s still the eighth most Emmy-nominated show ever. We fell in love with the characters, from the highest ranked, Colonel Potter, to the mid-level-ranked Captain Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) to Corporal Klinger (Jamie Farr) and Radar O’Reilly (Gary Burghoff) and all the surgeons, medics, and nurses in between. That’s why M*A*S*H’s final episode is still the most-watched finale ever. Their patched-together...

Hawkeye and Trapper’s antics. Hawkeye and B.J.’s pranks. Frank and Hot Lips’s torrid romance. Klinger’s cross-dressing. Colonel Blake and Colonel Potter’s attempts to reign in the craziness. On September 17, 1972, “M*A*S*H” premiered, and for the next 11 years, the friendships, the tragedies and the hijinks of the 4077th captivated audiences. Let’s now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CBS premiere with our photo gallery ranking the 25 best episodes. All episodes are now streaming on Hulu. Reelz also has a new documentary titled “M*A*S*H: When Television Changed Forever” that recently debuted.

The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies...

Hawkeye and Trapper’s antics. Hawkeye and B.J.’s pranks. Frank and Hot Lips’s torrid romance. Klinger’s cross-dressing. Colonel Blake and Colonel Potter’s attempts to reign in the craziness. On September 17, 1972, “M*A*S*H” premiered, and for the next 11 years, the friendships, the tragedies and the hijinks of the 4077th captivated audiences. Let’s now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CBS premiere with our photo gallery ranking the 25 best episodes.

The long-running series based on the three-year Korean War was adapted from a hit 1970 film, which in turn was adapted from a best-selling 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Debuting at the height of the controversial Vietnam war, the series subtly mocked government bureaucracy and the senselessness of war, balancing the heaviness of tragedies that come through the surgical camp with the comic relief of the character’s efforts to survive the war with humor and compassion.

The first...

Ahead of next Saturday’s 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H’s premiere, MeTV is doing something special for its regular back-to-back weeknight airings of episodes from the classic series. From Monday, September 12 through Friday, September 16, the network dedicated to classic television is airing the M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr programming event, in which costar Jamie Farr (aka Cpl. Max Klinger) hand-picks the episodes from among his favorites, and offers hosted commentary, memories, and stories about his time on M*A*S*H. MeTV Check out MeTV’s M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr episode lineup below. (It starts at 7/6c each night). Monday, September 12 Monday’s lineup of Farr picks begins with “Chief Surgeon Who?” from Season 1, featuring Farr’s first appearance as Klinger. That is followed by Season 2’s “The Trial of Henry Blake,” which includes one of Klinger’s more outrageous...

(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)

The Series: "M*A*S*H"

Where You Can Stream It: Hulu

The Pitch: One of the most vital and beloved sitcoms of all time, "M*A*S*H" follows a group of rowdy but deeply humane army doctors through the seemingly endless Korean War. The surgical team is headed up by Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), a wise-cracking, martini-swilling playboy who's also a traumatized, unwilling participant in a seemingly endless war. Hawkeye's a surprisingly complex sitcom character, by both 1972's standards and today's, but then again, no one in "M*A*S*H" is two-dimensional.

The series based on Robert Altman's film follows the members of a division of the U.S. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they quarrel, prank each other, fall in and out of love,...

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton are playing with bees, putting out fires and rappelling down cliffs with pioneering women in the new trailer for “Gutsy,” an eight-part documentary event hitting Apple TV+ on Sept. 9.

Based the book “The Book of Gutsy Women,” the docuseries follows the mother-daughter duo as they celebrate the women who inspire them. Together, the duo hits the road to embark on a thought-provoking journey with women artists, activists, community leaders and everyday heroes.

Joining the Clintons in their conversations are Glennon Doyle, Dr. Jane Goodall, Mariska Hargitay, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Amber Ruffin, Amy Schumer, Gloria Steinem, Wanda Sykes, Symone (aka Reggie Gavin), Abby Wambach, Natalie Wynn (aka ContraPoints) and more.

The series is produced for Apple by HiddenLight Productions in association with Left/Right LLC. “Gutsy” is executive produced by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton alongside Johnny Webb, Siobhan Sinnerton, Roma Khanna,...

Click here to read the full article.

Burt Metcalfe, the onetime actor from Canada who served as a producer, director and writer on all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H, collecting 13 Emmy nominations along the way, has died. He was 87.

One of the show’s unsung heroes, Metcalfe died Wednesday in Los Angeles of natural causes, his wife of 43 years, actress Jan Jorden announced. (She had a recurring role as Nurse Baker on the series.)

Before he gave up full-time acting to work on the other side of the camera, Metcalfe played the surfer Lord Byron opposite Sandra Dee and James Darren in Gidget (1959), appeared on the first season of The Twilight Zone and starred on the 1961-62 CBS sitcom Father of the Bride.

Metcalfe was a producer on all but five of M*A*S*H‘s 256 episodes from 1972-83 and its showrunner for its last six seasons. He...

Jamie Farr hosts “M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr” A Weeklong Presentation of His Favorite Episodes’ to help celebrate the MeTV Network commemorate M*A*S*H’s 50th anniversary.

The special weeklong presentation includes Jamie Farr’s favorite episodes, hosted commentary, memories, and stories from his time as co-star of one of television’s greatest all-time favorites.

“M*A*S*H: The Best by Farr” airs September 12-16, 2022, from 7-8 pm Et/Pt on MeTV, with two of Farr’s hand-picked “best of” episodes airing nightly.

M*A*S*H is part of MeTV’s memorable and entertaining weeknight lineup, airing two back-to-back episodes starting at 7 pm Et/Pt every Monday-Friday and Sunday night.

“M*A*S*H has been a staple of the MeTV weeknight schedule since the network began, and it’s a show with lasting relevancy and audience appeal,” said Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co....

Over the 11 seasons that M*A*S*H was on television, there was a lot of turnover in the cast, with only four actors — Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr and William Christopher — credited on the show through its entire run. Despite all of the comings and goings, though, the cast remained a tight-knit one, according […]

The post Band Of Sitcom Brothers: How The ‘M*A*S*H’ Stars Bonded On- And Off-Set appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

On Wednesday’s “Late Night,” Seth Meyers explored the plight of Rudy Giuliani, the “weirdo” who has been resolute in his loyalty to former President Donald Trump at great and unnecessary personal cost. Trump reportedly won’t help Giuliani with his legal bills, which the former mayor racked up while working as Trump’s personal lawyer (his law license is currently suspended). So Giuliani has resorted to Cameo, the service where people can order personalized video messages from celebrities.

“I guess Rudy’s last cameo went so well he decided to give it another go,” Meyers joked, referencing Giuliani’s embarrassing appearance in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” last year.

Meyers almost felt bad for the former New York City mayor. “He has no idea what he’s in for. Right now, a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York is logging on to Cameo and asking Rudy to share the...

Brandis Kemp, aka Sally Blankfield, died at her home in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles on July 4 after a struggle with brain cancer and complications from Covid-19, a friend confirmed. She was 76 and spent five decades as a working actress and comedienne.

She is best known for her TV work in ABC’s late night variety show Fridays, where she appeared along with Larry David, Michael Richards, Rich Hall, Bruce Mahler, Melanie Chartoff and Kemp’s then-husband Mark Blankfield. She next starred as Alma Cox in AfterMASH with Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, William Christopher and Rosalind Chao. As a member of the comedy group, Low Moan Spectacular, Brandis performed in El Grande de Coca Cola and Bullshot Crummond for HBO.

Brandis’s passion was Native American culture, gardening, and DIY. In November 2019, at age 75, after learning that her home needed to be re-stuccoed, Brandis taught herself to stucco,...

Brandis Kemp, an actress best known for her appearances on the television shows Fridays and AfterMASH, has died. She was 76. 

Kemp died July 4 at her home in Los Feliz after a battle with brain cancer and complications from Covid-19, actress and acting coach Myra Turley told The Hollywood Reporter. She was surrounded by family and friends. 

Kemp spent five decades as a working actress and comedian. She appeared on the ABC late-night variety show Fridays, starring alongside Larry David, Michael Richards, Rich Hall and more, and portrayed Alma Cox on the CBS spinoff AfterMASH alongside Jamie Farr, Harry ...

Some of the most beloved shows in TV history feature members of the military. You might remember Hawkeye Pierce and Radar O’Reilly from “M*A*S*H,” the breakout star of the “Andy Griffith Show,” Gomer Pyle, whose spinoff “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” ran for five years.

Mr. T shot to fame in the early ’80s by playing a veteran in “The A-Team as B.A. Baracus. Younger audiences may remember seeing pop-star Jesse McCartney in the final season of “Army Wives” — and fans of “The Office” can catch one of John Krasinski’s latest roles as the title character in “Jack Ryan.”

With Veteran’s Day taking place this Monday, here’s a list of military-themed TV shows to binge to in honor of our veterans.

“Hogan’s Heroes”

This sitcom aired from 1965 from 1971, and was set in a German Prisoner of War (Pow) camp in WWII. It followed Colonel Robert E.

Alan Alda reminisced about M*A*S*H as the ultimate TV watercooler event and stressed the importance of communal viewing and interpersonal communication during an appearance today at the Nab Show in Las Vegas.

“On the final episode of M*A*S*H, so many people were watching that when the first commercial came on, everybody went to the bathroom at the same time and it nearly broke the water works,” Alda said in accepting the Distinguished Service Award from the Nab, dryly adding, “I’ve never had a salute like that.”

The audience on the opening morning of the trade show ate out of the 83-year-old actor’s hand, rewarding many of his bon mots with fond murmurs and applause. After some brief solo remarks, Alda sat for a one-on-one chat with Cynthia Littleton of Variety, Deadline’s sister publication.

In 2018, Alda revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s...

Hollywood will never be the same now that it lost one its most famous actors, Burt Reynolds. The legend died on Sept. 6 at age 82 from an alleged heart attack, but before his passing, he was on the big and small screen for 60 years! And now, his former co-stars are revealing what it was like acting alongside the legend. His Smokey and the Bandit co-star Paul Williams is actually bitter about Burt's career. "He never got the recognition as an actor he truly deserved," he told Closer. "I think he shrugged his shoulders and laughed about it. He had the best laugh." (Photo Credit: Getty Images) And Marilu Henner, his co-star and wife on Evening Shade, agrees that Burt was very funny. "He was such a powerhouse and the first thing you were drawn to was his sense of humor. It was bigger than everything!" She added, "He liked to impart his knowledge to others.

Irna Phillips was born 116 years ago today. She is pictured

above dictating stories to her assistant, Rose Cooperman."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter.

Los Angeles-based sales and distribution company Indie Rights has struck a 13-film licensing deal with China’s Huala New Media. Huala is a Beijing-based distribution and tech firm.

Titles under the deal include recent U.S. theatrical releases “Hello & Goodbye,” “Hidden Light,” “A Normal Life,” “All I Want,” and “Blur Circle,” as well as a further nine titles. The deal covers all rights in mainland China, though theatrical releases are not likely.

The remaining titles include “Color Me You,” “Tangerineland,” “Dance Baby Dance,” “Her Composition,” “20 to Life,” and “30-Love.” Indie Rights expects to give another of the films, “Love All You Have Left,” a limited U.S. theatrical release in June. “Angels On Tap,” starring Ed Asner and Jamie Farr, is to have a limited North American theatrical release in July.

“It’s a great way to start off the market for us. It was literally our first meeting when the Cannes Film Market opened,...

Some of today's biggest daytime television stars are scheduled to present at the 45th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Friday, April 27 and the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday, April 29 at the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium located in Pasadena, Southern California. The Sunday Daytime Emmy Awards will be streamed-live on Facebook Live, Twitter, the NATAS website (www.emmyonline.tv), and the KNEKTtv platform.

In addition to the previously announced hosts, Mario Lopez (Extra) and Sheryl Underwood (The Talk), the line-up of presenters for the Sunday, April 29 show include, Marie & David Osmond, Jane Pauley (CBS Sunday Morning), Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr, Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), Peter Marshall, Larry King (Larry King Now), Chris Harrison (Who Wants to be a Millionaire/The Bachelor), Nancy O’Dell and Kevin Frazier (Et), Valerie Bertinelli (Valerie’s Home Cooking), Julie Chen, Eve, Sara Gilbert (The Talk), Adrienne Houghton, Tamera Mowry-Housley,...

The 2018 Daytime Emmys are being handed out this weekend at two ceremonies: the Creative Arts Awards on Friday, April 27, and then the main event on Sunday, April 29. The Sunday telecast will be hosted again by Emmy winners Mario Lopez (“Extra”) and Sheryl Underwood (“The Talk“). And now the television academy has announced the presenters for both events.

On Friday night the Creative Arts prizes will be handed out by David Arquette, David Osmond, animator Rodrigo Blaas, writer Marc Guggenheim and producer Chad Hammes (“Trollhunters”), Emily Calandrelli (“Xploration Outer Space”), Steve Spangler, Michael Stevens (“Mind Field”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Vanessa Lachey, Curtis Stone, and Tiffany Derry (“Top Chef Jr.”), Michela Luci (“Dino Dana”), Raven-Symone (“Raven’s Home”), Danny Seo (“Naturally Danny Seo”), Josh Garcia (“The Voyager with Josh Garcia”), Alie Ward (“The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation”), Maureen Fan and Eric Darnell (“Baobab”).

Representing the world of soaps at the...

(See previous post: “Gay Pride Movie Series Comes to a Close: From Heterosexual Angst to Indonesian Coup.”) Ken Russell's Valentino (1977) is notable for starring ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev as silent era icon Rudolph Valentino, whose sexual orientation, despite countless gay rumors, seems to have been, according to the available evidence, heterosexual. (Valentino's supposed affair with fellow “Latin Lover” Ramon Novarro has no basis in reality.) The female cast is also impressive: Veteran Leslie Caron (Lili, Gigi) as stage and screen star Alla Nazimova, ex-The Mamas & the Papas singer Michelle Phillips as Valentino wife and Nazimova protégée Natacha Rambova, Felicity Kendal as screenwriter/producer June Mathis (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse), and Carol Kane – lately of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fame. Bob Fosse's Cabaret (1972) is notable as one of the greatest musicals ever made. As a 1930s Cabaret presenter – and the Spirit of Germany – Joel Grey was the year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner. Liza Minnelli...

Turner Classic Movies' 2017 Gay Pride film series comes to a close this evening and tomorrow morning, Thursday–Friday, June 29–30, with the presentation of seven movies, hosted by TV interviewer Dave Karger and author William J. Mann, whose books include Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines and Behind the Screen: How Gays and Lesbians Shaped Hollywood, 1910-1969. Among tonight's movies' Lgbt connections: Edward Albee, Tony Richardson, Evelyn Waugh, Tab Hunter, John Gielgud, Roddy McDowall, Linda Hunt, Harvey Fierstein, Rudolf Nureyev, Christopher Isherwood, Joel Grey, and Tommy Kirk. Update: Coincidentally, TCM's final 2017 Gay Pride celebration turned out to be held the evening before a couple of international events – and one non-event – demonstrated that despite noticeable progress in the last three decades, gay rights, even in the so-called “West,” still have a long way to go. In Texas, the state's – all-Republican – Supreme Court decided that married gays should be treated as separate and unequal. In...

"Mash" star William Christopher -- who played Father John Mulcahy on the iconic show -- is the latest celebrity to die in 2016. Christopher was part of one of the most spectacular ensembles ever on TV ... a cast which included Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit and Harry Morgan. Christopher, who played a Catholic priest but was actually Methodist in real life, auditioned for the role but went off script with a rambling ad lib.

What are your favorite episodes of Mash? Starting Monday, star Jamie Farr will share his favorite episodes of the iconic CBS series on MeTV.Farr played Max Klinger on the long-running dramedy alongside fellow cast members Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, and Loretta Swit. The series, which chronicled the staff of a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War, ran for 11 seasons before ending in 1983.Read More…...

Paging the Unknown Comic. ABC has ordered a reboot of The Gong Show TV series, from Will Arnett, who is executive producing for his Electric Avenue Productions.Created and produced by Chuck Barris, the original version of The Gong Show premiered on NBC in 1976 and ran through 1978. It also aired in first-run syndication from 1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1989. Barris hosted the amateur talent competition both on NBC, and in syndication, from 1977 to 1980.Frequent celebrity guests panelists on the original series included: Trixie Dejonge, Jaye P. Morgan, Gary Owens, Jamie Farr, Arte Johnson, Rip Taylor, Phyllis Diller, Anson Williams, Jo Anne Worley, and Rex Reed.Read More…...

There are no shortage of parodies floating around on YouTube. Some are funny, others, let’s just say those people should keep their day jobs. We’ve since come across one that’s not only a good laugh, but we’d actually like to see it come to fruition. The Love Boat was one of the great shows in the history of television. Where else could a bunch of D-list celebs fall in love, fall out of love and then fall back in love within an hour (less commercial interruptions)? With this parody, however, they take the show and turn it on its head. No longer is there Gene Rayburn, Jamie Farr or Charo, but it’s a cast of murderous fiends from great horror movies of yore. The video features ne'er-do-wells from Alien, Motel Hell and Salem’s Lot among others. The biggest laugh comes when you find out who the chief engineer is.

Ahead of Scream Factory’s February 23rd home media release of The Curse and Curse II: The Bite double feature, we’ve been provided with three Blu-ray copies to give away to Daily Dead readers.

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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Curse and Curse II: The Bite double feature.

How to Enter: For a chance to win, email [email protected] with the subject “The Curse / Curse II: The Bite Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on February 26th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

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“The Curse

Life on the family dairy farm is difficult for young Zach Hayes (Wil Wheaton, Stand by Me): hard work, long hours and the normal family squabbles.

Take a double shot of '80s horror with The Curse and Curse II: The Bite on Blu-ray from Scream Factory on February 23rd. Below, we have a Blu-ray clip and official trailer for The Curse as well as a Blu-ray clip from Curse II: The Bite.

Press Release: On February 23rd, get ready for a double dose of ‘80s horror with the release of The Curse and Curse II from Scream Factory! Available on Blu-ray for the first time, fans can pre-order their copies of this double feature by visiting ShoutFactory.com.

The Curse

Life on the family dairy farm is difficult for young Zach Hayes (Wil Wheaton, Stand by Me): hard work, long hours and the normal family squabbles. But after an ice-blue meteor plunges through the midnight sky and lands on their property, it gets worse. Zach and the local doctor discover that something inside the...

Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Travis Keune, and Tom Stockman

Burt Reynolds, one of We Are Movie Geeks favorite actors, turns 80 today. Happy Birthday Burt!

On February 11th, 1936, Reynolds was born in Waycross, Georgia, before his family moved to Jupiter Florida, where his father served as Chief of Police. Young Burt excelled at sports and played football at Florida State University. He became an All Star Southern Conference halfback (and was earmarked by the Baltimore Colts) before injuries sidelined his football career. He dropped out of college and headed to New York with dreams of becoming an actor. There he worked in restaurants and clubs while pulling the odd TV job or theater role. Burt was spotted in a New York City stage production of Mister Roberts and signed to a TV contract and eventually had recurring roles in such shows as Gunsmoke (1955), Riverboat (1959) and his own series, Hawk...

Last November, Scream Factory announced that The Curse and Curse II: The Bite would be released as a double feature on Blu-ray on February 23rd. Now in 2016, the Blu-ray is available to pre-order on Shout Factory's website.

Press Release: On February 23rd, get ready for a double dose of ‘80s horror with the release of The Curse and Curse II from Scream Factory! Available on Blu-ray for the first time, fans can pre-order their copies of this double feature by visiting ShoutFactory.com.

The Curse

Life on the family dairy farm is difficult for young Zach Hayes (Wil Wheaton, Stand by Me): hard work, long hours and the normal family squabbles. But after an ice-blue meteor plunges through the midnight sky and lands on their property, it gets worse. Zach and the local doctor discover that something inside the meteor is infecting the local water on their farm. Fruits,...

Although it's not the New Year yet, Scream Factory's already gearing up for 2016 by announcing two double feature Blu-ray releases for February 23rd: The Curse / Curse II: The Bite and Millennium / R.O.T.O.R.

From Scream Factory: "More retro double features are planned for blu-ray release in the beginning of the new year! Read on for all the details:

The Curse & The Curse II

- The Curse (1987) Young Zach Hayes' (Wil Wheaton, Stand by Me) life on the family dairy farm is what anyone would expect. Hard work, long hours and the normal family squabbles. When an ice-blue meteor plunges through the midnight sky, Zach sees in hand on their property. Zach and the local doctor discover that something inside the meteor is infecting the local water on their farm. Fruits, which looked perfect on the outside are teeming with worms… and Zach's family is beginning to change…...

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"The Best of Me"

This might not be the best of Nicholas Sparks's oeuvre of weepy romantic dramas, but at least it's not the most insane! (That honor probably goes to "Safe Haven," for the record.) In any case, this story about true love lost and found stars Cyclops from "X-Men" and Michelle Monaghan. If you love Nicholas Sparks, you love him, and nothing anyone else says will change that. Which is sort of admirable, really. Extend your love Sparks with this exclusive featurette.

"Dear White People"

This indie from writer/director Justin Simien is a comedy about race politics on an Ivy League campus. It is funny and smart, and you should see it. Tessa Thompson leads a great ensemble...

Scrooged

Written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O’Donoghue Directed by Richard Donner USA, 1988 The story of Scrooge is one of literature’s most enduring and beloved tales. It is a universal tale of redemption and a staple of Christmas lore. The Bill Murray vehicle Scrooged was released in 1988 and it is one of the more unique adaptations of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece. It isn’t your typical take on Scrooge but that’s what makes it all the more fun. There are funny cameos and quirky action sequences all firmly anchored by both Murray’s brilliant lead performance and Richard Donner’s solid direction. With Christmas soon coming upon us, Scrooged is the perfect cinematic gem to be viewed with the whole family. The film is pretty straightforward and focuses on Frank Cross (Murray), a bitter TV executive, who takes out his frustration on his lowly assistant Grace (Alfre Woodard...