MASH Season 3: The Episode That Dropped the Laugh Track!
Fans of the long-running MASH TV series might be surprised to know that there was one particular MASH episode where showrunners decided to forgo using a laugh track!
Why Was a Laugh Track Used in the Early Seasons of MASH?
While the MASH TV series focused on themes like MASH war, including MASH Korean War, the creators did want to lighten up the mood! laugh tracks, which were popular in sitcoms during the 1970s when the series premiered, were added in, even though they thought it was inappropriate for a series centered on the operating room and the realities of surgery.
How Was MASH Able to Remove the Laugh Track?
The showrunners were successful in making some progress, they struck a deal with CBS that allowed them to ditch the laugh track for MASH sequences in the operating room, but it had to be included everywhere else. The laugh track became a major sticking point for fans and, as the series transformed, eventually became a staple of sitcoms, the laugh track fell by the wayside!
Which MASH Episode Eliminated the Laugh Track?
The first MASH episode to ditch the laugh track, called MASH season 3's "O.R.", did so using an interesting loophole! The episode happens nearly entirely in the operating room, eliminating nearly every chance for a canned laughter track to be incorporated into the episode. The creators used this unique way of telling the story in a very tense, almost haunting, atmosphere, even giving the villain Frank Burns an incredibly humanizing moment that really brought new light to MASH characters.
Why is O.R. Considered Important?
While this MASH season did try to shift its format towards a more dramatic take on MASH war, the "O.R." episode shows us what was possible. While there were comedic moments, this MASH without laugh track made for an unforgettable episode. This bold decision pushed the series toward its true potential for showing its more serious themes.
What are Some Other Memorable MASH Episodes?
MASH went through many exciting stages! Some of the biggest and most popular episodes are ones like "Life Time", where a MASH episode took on a real-time format, and "Dreams", which showed a haunting twist on the world. They showed that even though there was an established pattern for these MASH characters, the creators were willing to be creative!
How Does MASH Compare To The Original Movie?
The iconic series actually came from a successful MASH movie! Fans often try to make MASH movie vs. MASH TV series comparisons, with debates ranging from who is better as MASH Hawkeye Pierce (in the movie or TV series) or even looking at which series better shows MASH characters like MASH Trapper John! Or who could play a better MASH Margaret Houlihan. Keep in mind though, that the MASH movie helped bring the MASH world to life!
