R.I.P Should be remembered if for nothing else then producing the first four seasons of MASH
Larry Gelbart Dead at 81
Sad. Did a lot of good work other than M*A*S*H. He was an accomplished writer for Sid Caesar, for example, and worked alongside people like Woody Allen. He also co-wrote the screenplay of Tootsie and the rather obscure, but quite funny sex-com Blame It On Rio starring Michael Caine.
R.I.P.
Just heard about this. Since I was practically raised by my grandparents, M*A*S*H was a major part of my childhood. It's always sad to see people go that you've never thought of until it's too late. RIP. 
When M*A*S*H was first shown over here on the BBC (during the years it was still airing in the US), they broadcast it without the laughter track, which was (to my mind) far superior. Did they always broadcast it with a laughter track in the US, Andrea? I'm presuming they did, but it was so much better without one.
I've always seen it with the laugh track. Remember, we Americans need a laugh track to be told when to laugh. I will say, however, during the more serious parts (when humour occasionally pops up) the laugh track is noticeably missing.
Seriously, when the Beeb started re-running it years later with the laughter track, it ruined it for me. Plus, the early seasons were generally a lot funnier and more in line with the dark humour of the film. The final couple of seasons became very saccharine - with it seeming like they rescued a Korean orphan every single bloody week. Much preferred the early characters/cast as well.
Yes, I agree. My grandfather had a "Frank Burns Eats Worms!" t-shirt made for me for a birthday one year. I miss that shirt.
Frank Burns was easily one of the best sitcom characters ever.
(Just reading the obits, seems he wrote in total of 57 episodes of the show! Wow! Perhaps it's no coincidence that it declined in quality when he left the show after 4 seasons.)
Yes he was. He was a ringer for my grandparents' neighbour Rolly. He had the same personality too. Now I've got watch MASH.
Yes, there was a noticeable drop in quality of the episodes as it progressed. But the show was such an institution that nobody would have dared to suggest canceling it. But it had one hell of an ending. 
True.
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 12 2009, 5:40 PM BST
Frank Burns was easily one of the best sitcom characters ever.
(Just reading the obits, seems he wrote in total of 57 episodes of the show! Wow! Perhaps it's no coincidence that it declined in quality when he left the show after 4 seasons.)
I'd add Henry Blake to the list as well
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The best comedy blog on the web, written by a man whose credits include 'M*A*S*H', 'Cheers' and 'Frasier'. He's promised to write a proper tribute tomorrow to the man he has often referred to as his first mentor.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ September 12 2009, 6:03 PM BSTYes, there was a noticeable drop in quality of the episodes as it progressed. But the show was such an institution that nobody would have dared to suggest canceling it. But it had one hell of an ending.
How did it end?
Everyone leaves and the word Goodbye is spelled out in stones on the ground. Might not seem like much, but I remember all the grown ups around me weeping as it was revealed.