The Ironies Of MASH
The TV show MASH ran for 11 years taking nearly every opportunity to bash the US involvement with the Korean War, which was actually an allegory for Vietnam. Many episodes showed a moral relativism between the US side and the communists, the doctors(with the exception of Frank Burns) made no distinction between the wounded and often talked about declaring the war a tie so they could go home. The MASH set sometimes was a tense place to work, especially in the early years. One episode featured a sniper who was eventually shot by an army helicopter. Alan Alda objected to the use of gunfire to settle the issue, some on the writing staff pointed out that he had recently played an armed sheriff who had drawn his gun in a TV movie which angered the star who retreated to his dressing room.
Some who worked on the show speculated that the pro-feminist Alda had problems reconciling playing the skirt chasing Hawkeye. Although, he was always professional he stayed aloof in the early years of the show, going to his dressing room whenever there was tension on the set. Part of the job of being the star is setting standards of behavior for the cast, but Alda just wanted to deliver his lines, contribute his creative ideas, and fly home to New Jersey on Friday. One time he was asked to record a video greeting to Navy stations, he refused claiming it would encourage the troops to prolong the Vietnam war. Even at Christmas he remained withdrawn refusing to buy any presents for the cast and crew, going against traditional television star rituals.
With Alda being aloof, some of the rest of the cast became difficult. McLean Stevenson began to demand he only do one take. Why? Because Sinatra only did one take. He wanted to sit down in his scenes? Because Sinatra always sat down. Gary Burghoff, who future co-star Mike Farrell would later call the greatest actor on the show, drove directors crazy by causing delays, asking what Radar's motivation was for every scene.
Loretta Swit became argumentative and difficult. Only Wayne Rogers and Larry Linville caused no problems. Yet the ratings continued to rise. The ultimate irony came from the source material. MASH continued to blast the army, often making Generals look like buffoons, and making several communist characters noble.
Alda seemed to lighten up as the show got new cast members and became even more successful. But one person who found it difficult to watch was the man who wrote the book from which both the movie and television show were inspired by, Dr. Richard Hornberger. He was especially bothered by Alda's portrayal of Hawkeye, the character he patterned after himself, because Hornberger was a Conservative, flag waving, pro-military hawk..
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com. orgofhlly@aol.comUrb1.com, the Original HipHop Fashion Focused Website Launches 2nd Annual Christmas Wardrobe Giveaway with Prizes from New Era Caps, Atlantic Records, NexLyne Inc, Legendary Game, Super Sexy Clothing, and Many More New HipHop Fashion Designers.
Urb1's 2nd Annual Christmas Wardrobe giveaway will launch Friday, November 26th if not before.
One male and one female, who answer all the giveaway's questions correctly, will win many pieces of clothing from mostly new Urban & HipHop fashion designers, found on the website (Urb1.com).
The winners will be randomly chosen by Urb1's founder, Rodrick Rainey."The point of this giveaway is to reach out to some of the individuals who visit my website and let them know we aren't about the business.
It's about uniting everybody who visits our site, including our staff, with the public." says Rod, the 21 year old entrepreneur who founded Urb1, Urb1 Magazine, and a few other Hiphop related businesses.
Urb1 also boasts a "HipHop Fashion Forums" internet forum that was restarted earlier in 2004, that has already signed up over 700 members.
The previous forum was discontinued in service as the company hosting no longer offered the service.
It had...
Christmas > Urb1.com, the Original HipHop Fashion Focused Website Launches 2nd Annual Christmas Wardrobe Giveaway with Prizes from New Era Caps, Atlantic Records, NexLyne Inc, Legendary Game, Super Sexy Clothing, and Many More New HipHop Fashion Designers.
Regift Your Old Computers on December 28th in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, AL (ContentDesk) December 23, 2005 -- Why keep an old computer laying around if a new one is received for Christmas?
On Wednesday, December 28 from noon 6 pm, the public is encouraged to drop off any used computers, laptops, cell phones and a number of other accepted items to Vulcan Park to be ecycled. Volunteers will be on site to assist in the unloading of donated equipment and provide each consumer with a tax receipt. Co-sponsored by TechBirmingham and Vulcan Park Foundation (VPF), this ecycling drive is to encourage local residents to recycle their used electronic equipment for the benefit of local non-profits within the greater Birmingham community. Accepted items include:
Desktop computers, Laptop computers, Computer monitors, Keyboards and input devices, Printers, Scanners, Digital cameras, PDAs and handheld devices, Game systems, Printer cartridges (laser and inkjet), and Cell phones.While most of the items received will be recycled and demanufactured,...
Christmas > Regift Your Old Computers on December 28th in Birmingham, Alabama
While the Public Talks About Politics, Costume Companies see a More Traditional ?Old Fashioned? Halloween. Most Popular Costume List Included.
"We are seeing people wanting to have more fun and go back to their youth" Said Rich Williamson President of Pierre's Costumes in Philadelphia.
"Halloween is a time to act like a kid without getting in trouble for doing that" he continued.
Halloween is steadily growing and is the second largest consumer holiday next to Christmas.
People are spending more money and are expecting a better quality product.
"The caveman costume in a bag might have served your needs in 5th grade, but adults today want to wear something that allows them to go out in public without being embarrassed" said Williamson.
More and more customers are renting their costumes since this service allows them to wear Movie quality costumes altered to their sizes without paying full price.The most popular Halloween costume rentals for 2004 are:Kings & Queens (along with Princesses and Princes too).Pimps & Ho's (The tackier the better)Colonial Ballwear (more elaborate evening wear).Gangsters...
While the Public Talks About Politics, Costume Companies see a More Traditional ?Old Fashioned? Halloween. Most Popular Costume List Included.
Christmas > While the Public Talks About Politics, Costume Companies see a More Traditional ?Old Fashioned? Halloween. Most Popular Costume List Included.
Victorian Vanities Announces that Rochelle Christopher will Manage/Curate Dickens’ A Christmas Carol At Strawbridge’s Department Store
(ContentDesk) November 5, 2005 -- Victorian Vanities announces that its owner, Rochelle Christopher, has been chosen to manage the display, A Christmas Carol, at Strawbridges flagship store at Eighth and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This is her second year in this position and she is expecting
record-breaking crowds. This unique exhibit, now in its twentieth year, features sixteen scenes from the novel and over one hundred animated characters with nodding heads, waving arms and a multitude of facial expressions. All are dressed in Victorian-style clothing. A life-size walk-through of Dickens classic tale, the exhibit occupies 6000 square feet of floor space and serves as a major draw to the downtown shopping district at Christmas.
It is open every day from the Friday after Thanksgiving through New Years Eve.
As owner of Victorian Vanities, Ms. Christophere is
particularly well-suited for this position. As a member of the...
Christmas > Victorian Vanities Announces that Rochelle Christopher will Manage/Curate Dickens’ A Christmas Carol At Strawbridge’s Department Store