MAS*H
A season 8 episode ofMASHwas a real Alda family affair.
It soon became apparent that Alda was the breakout star, and Hawkeye became the de-facto lead.
The star was also key in the show’s move from sitcom to dramedy and helped further underlineMASH’santi-war subtext.
Alda went on to direct over 30 episodes too, withMASH’sfinale still the most-viewed scriptedtelevision episode ever broadcast.
Throughout “Lend a Hand,” Hawkeye and Borelli bicker like an old comedy double act.
This is becauseBorelli is played by Alan Alda’s actual father Robert, who was a former vaudeville performer.
During Alan’s youth, the two had performed in sketches together, explaining their onscreen comic chemistry.
Alan himself was originally against the notion but included it in the script to make his father happy.
The visual is certainly on the nose, but Robert was reportedly moved to tears while filming the sequence.
MASH is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.*
Robert Alda later guest starred as a different character in an episode ofMASHspinoffTrapper John, M.D.
