# Smashing on MASH **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 13, 2025, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973 "2025-04-13T01:03:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/1 "2025-04-13T01:03:55Z")
We all know the show. We know the characters. Fairly well. Who do you identify with? I think for me its “Radar”. He’s an odd duck with skills. I like Col. Blake for his silliness, as well. I’d love to be Hoolihan. But I’m afraid I’m very much not her at all. Except I’m blonde. Her vibe is a little screechy. You? (If you name a short lived character explain when, what and where) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/2 "2025-04-13T01:11:51Z")
I’ve always respected Potter and wished in was, I’d be like him or BJ. War is indeed hell, but they handled it well. Really anyone who found a way to help in a shitty situation. Father Mulcahy helped out and showed his toughness and I admire him as well. I mean, a priest in war time. Right when everyone is seeing the absolute worst of humanity. Anyway, love the show and I think I’d like to be BJ, but I’d work for a Potter. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/3 "2025-04-13T01:14:46Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think for me its “Radar”. He’s an odd duck with skills. Love early Radar. The “breaking into Blake’s booze and cigar” Radar. I dislike the “I only drink Grape Nehi and am super innocent” Radar. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/4 "2025-04-13T01:30:40Z")
Hawkeye here, tho I realize his schtick is now seen as a bit overdone and dated. I was thinking of doing a poll, for the early (years 1-3), middle (4-8, until Radar leaves), and late (9-11). I like the middle period the best, having dispensed with the one-note characters Blake, Burns, and MacIntyre and getting them replaced with better actors and roles, along with (slightly) more realistic and less goofy plots. The show definitely ran out of steam towards the end tho. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/5 "2025-04-13T01:48:18Z")
I have some of Radar’s cleverness, but the closest in disposition and behavioral nuances is Father Mulcahy, with perhaps an extra dollop of humorless social-cause activism. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/6 "2025-04-13T01:49:43Z")
Blake cracked me up. But, it was a one note character. Potter was just like I want my grampa to be. Of course, I loved his horse., Sophie. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/7 "2025-04-13T01:57:07Z")
Certainly not a member of the main cast. One of the more down to Earth “regular army” types in the guest cast. I can’t think of one just this moment because none of those characters were all that memorable (they weren’t ridiculous enough to carry an episode and be made recurring like, say Colonel Flagg). Maybe that British officer who visits his wounded men and has to be persuaded not to serve tea to the men with stomach wounds? I only remember him, I think, because he’s British. Well, anyway, I served with a US-UK coalition unit in Iraq and my CO was British, so that ought to give me some rights to the character? Googling it, I guess the character is Major Ross from _Tea and Empathy_. Also fitting. I was an O-4 myself… ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/8 "2025-04-13T02:04:10Z")
Probably either BJ or Sidney Freedman, the psychiatrist. BJ because he was an easygoing, competent person with a wicked sense of humor. Sidney because, more than any of the other characters, he saw the absurdity of the war and tried to help people make the best of it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/9 "2025-04-13T02:11:04Z")
There was an episode with Mariette Hartley. Called “Inga”. She was a Swedish surgeon. Of course Hawkeye honed in on her. He had a existential crisis because he couldnt deal with her brains. He was really a jerk about it. Margaret sat him straight. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/10 "2025-04-13T02:12:24Z")
I don’t really like any of the main cast all that much, at least not enough to identify with them, so I’d say…TSgt “The T is for Ptomaine” Rizzo. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/11 "2025-04-13T02:31:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > He had a existential crisis because he couldnt deal with her brains. He was afraid of getting beat up by James Garner. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/12 "2025-04-13T03:35:50Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > He was afraid of getting beat up by James Garner. [![](https://scontent-phx1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/476610701_122134829456479864_3825804064844150680_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=V2XOdZ5D0SoQ7kNvwGzzVkk&_nc_oc=Adm5BOrOym0lTC3VaYGrV2lQWdN1afDcwehBZAbOuYkkZPHiiBnesPxuvbbDyKSEfGqEhn7JlcYA-DH8-fHYAOYR&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-phx1-1.xx&_nc_gid=LzshfIsknZzezATtQkfOiw&oh=00_AfHOkvDIUZDP1A7GwzEgP697vC0lmZayPbA-4NQZBfSgAA&oe=6800F2CB) ](https://scontent-phx1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/476610701_122134829456479864_3825804064844150680_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=V2XOdZ5D0SoQ7kNvwGzzVkk&_nc_oc=Adm5BOrOym0lTC3VaYGrV2lQWdN1afDcwehBZAbOuYkkZPHiiBnesPxuvbbDyKSEfGqEhn7JlcYA-DH8-fHYAOYR&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-phx1-1.xx&_nc_gid=LzshfIsknZzezATtQkfOiw&oh=00_AfHOkvDIUZDP1A7GwzEgP697vC0lmZayPbA-4NQZBfSgAA&oe=6800F2CB) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/13 "2025-04-13T03:40:43Z")
Klinger. I’d do whatever I had to do to get out of the army and Korea. And _then_ I’d do whatever I had to do to get out of Toledo. But that’s a different show. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/14 "2025-04-13T04:25:40Z")
Relied upon but largely overlooked. I’m Nurse Kellye. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/15 "2025-04-13T11:00:32Z")
Like many others, I’d like to think I’m BJ or Sherm. But I’m probably closer to Master Sgt. Tarola, the guy who haggled with Hawkeye over the Adam’s Ribs and sauce. Just putting in his time, making the best of his situation and limited power by wheeling and dealing for his own benefit. _“You sent all the way to Chicago, and no cole slaw??”_ mmm ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/16 "2025-04-13T15:43:28Z")
I guess I’m Team Potter. Taking care of the business of running the unit while effectively dealing with the guys who are prone to non-military antics. I like that. And a shout-out to Klinger-in-a-dress. A colorful character who’ll reach out and grab your attention with some kind of zany thing every once in a while, with varying degrees of outrageousness. But I think it’s a good thing they changed him to Klinger-in-a-uniform because the dress thing was, probably, fairly well played out by then. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/17 "2025-04-13T16:11:57Z")
I’d be [Captain Tuttle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuttle_(M*A*S*H)). Known and loved by all. Died heroically. One could not imagine a better person. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/18 "2025-04-13T17:09:22Z")
I don’t think I really identified with any of them. But I thought that Winchester was the most interesting character. Sure, he’s out-of-touch and a bit of a jerk… but he’s also the best surgeon in the unit, and is bound and determined to do the right thing, and he’s willing to work with his tormentors when it’s for the right cause. Definitely a huge improvement over Burns. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/19 "2025-04-13T18:29:06Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’d be [Captain Tuttle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuttle_(M*A*S*H)). Known and loved by all. Died heroically. One could not imagine a better person. We can be comforted by the thought that he’s not really gone. There’s a little Tuttle left in all of us. In fact you could say all of us made up Tuttle. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973/20 "2025-04-13T18:31:10Z")
I would say I’m probably Potter. My tendency is to be by the book but I’m able to adapt to the situation when I have to. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smashing-on-mash/1016973.md?page=2)