Radar is one of MASH actors exited the show during its 11-season run. The most (in)famous was McLean Stevenson during the third series, where his character Henry Blake shockingly died during the finale. The majority of the ensemble stuck with MASH, however, perhaps recognizing that it would become the show that defined their careers.
The final major departure came with season 8, where Gary Burghoff's Walter "Radar" O'Reilly was sent home. Burghoff was the only actor to appear in both the 1970 Robert Altman movie and the series, so his exit was a major event. More than that, Radar was one of the most popular ing players. Even in the midst of a horrible warzone, the character's loveable naivety and innocence provided a nice contrast to the cynicism of the leads. Burghoff brought a lot of warmth to the role, and his final episode was suitably emotional.
The Closest MASH Came To A Hawkeye-Free Episode Proves The Show Could Work Without Him
A season 6 episode of MASH pushed Alan Alda's Hawkeye to one side and highlighted the sitcom could still work without him as the focus.
Radar Had The Perfect Exit On MASH
We salute you, Radar
Burghoff decided to leave MASH to focus on his family, and while he originally planned to exit toward the end of the seventh series, his depature was pushed to season 8. As befitting such an audience favorite, the showrunners gave Radar a two-part sendoff with "Goodbye Radar," where Walter is sent home after a death in the family. Despite having a golden ticket to head home, Radar has second thoughts about leaving his friends behind - until Hawkeye gives him a stern talking to.
"Goodbye Radar" closes with the 4077th attempting to throw him goodbye party, but once wounded are flown in, everyone is too busy to say a proper farewell. Before he leaves, Radar looks in on the operating room, where Hawkeye notices him and - in a move that was exceptionally rare for the war-hating surgeon - gives his friend a salute. Radar salutes back and is then driven out of the camp. Needless to say, Burghoff's exit is a poignant one, and made for one of MASH's most emotional episodes.
Radar's Return In AfterMASH & W*A*L*T*E*R Spoiled His Season 8 Ending
The MASH spinoffs were a bad idea in general
MASH ended due to a cast vote, with Alda and most of the other performers feeling it was time to wrap up before the sitcom grew stale. This was a smart move - though CBS didn't read it that way. The show was still a ratings hit, so the network offered the actors who voted against ending MASH a spinoff show instead. AfterMASH debuted about six months after the main series ended, but despite being a respectable hit, the reviews were tepid to bad.
Every MASH Movie & TV Series |
Release Year |
|---|---|
MASH (Movie) |
1970 |
MASH (TV Series) |
1972-1983 |
Trapper John, M.D. |
1979-1986 |
AfterMASH |
1983-1985 |
W*A*L*T*E*R (TV Pilot) |
1984 |
Panicked, CBS tried to draw in any major guest star for their MASH spinoff series they could, but the likes of Alda, Mike Farrell and Loretta Swit ed on guest appearances. Burghoff was the only one to respond, as most of his MASH follow-up projects failed to perform. In fairness, Burghoff's two AfterMASH episodes were highlights and gave an update on Radar's post-war activities - but they weren't worth undoing his perfect MASH exit either.
W*A*L*T*E*R involved Radar becoming a police officer, but while a pilot was filmed, CBS ed on a full series.
Radar's return was a cynical attempt to drum up ratings, and even if his episodes were better than average, they're nothing special either. CBS was happy with Burghoff's appearance though and decided to try a Radar solo series dubbed W*A*L*T*E*R. This involved Radar becoming a police officer, but while a pilot was filmed, CBS ed on a full series. The pilot eventually aired once in 1984 before fading into obscurity.
The Failure Of W*A*L*T*E*R Proved CBS's MASH Spinoffs Were Doomed
The franchise should have ended with MASH's finale
"Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" was MASH's finale, and remains, to this day, the most watched scripted episode of television ever. That's a record that's unlikely to be beaten, and it's hard to picture a better way to wrap up such a groundbreaking program. Of course, CBS wanted to keep the franchise's heart beating a little longer, but the slipping ratings of AfterMASH and the terrible W*A*L*T*E*R pilot convinced the network it was time to pull the plug.
Gary Burghoff co-directed and starred in the 1992 horror movie Small Kill.
It's also a shame that W*A*L*T*E*R was the last time Burghoff played Radar, since the pilot is easily the worst outing of the entire MASH saga. "Goodbye Radar" is where that character should have been left, with audiences getting to imagine what Walter's life was like when he went back home. Radar's spinoff appearances spoiled that, but considering how little cultural impact they've actually left, most viewers probably forgot they even happened.
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M*A*S*H 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.
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AfterMASH is a spin-off of the television series M*A*S*H, featuring Colonel Potter, Klinger, and Father Mulcahy as they adjust to civilian life following the Korean War, working together at a stateside veterans' hospital.
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