M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
About This Show
In "The Interview," TV journalist Clete Roberts guest-starred as a newsman who visits the 4077 M*A*S*H unit where he conducts interviews with the "cast" about their wartime experiences. This episode was presented in black-and-white to emphasize its documentary style; the use of black-and-white turned out to be apropos when it became an instant classic. The inspiration for the show came from legendary broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow's famed visit to the real Korean front for the '50s documentary series See It Now. "The Interview" was series creator Larry Gelbart's last M*A*S*H episode.
TV Guide's Book of Lists ranked this episode as one of the 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time (at #80), one of just two M*A*S*H episodes listed (the other was "Abyssinia Henry" at #20). Vince Waldron's Classic Sitcoms: A Celebration of the Best in Prime-Time Comedy called "The Interview," one of "the [series]'s most effective stylistic departures. A passionate and often chilling look at war through the eyes of reasonable men and women who find themselves stuck in a most unreasonable situation."
"The Interview" aired as the last episode of the fourth season of M*A*S*H on February 24, 1976.
Written & Directed by: Larry Gelbart
Produced by: Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart
Featured Content
Link to an excerpt from M*A*S*H: "The Interview" as posted on Hulu.com
Excerpt from See It Now: "Christmas in Korea" the December 28, 1952 Edward R. Murrow report that inspired "The Interview"
Resources
Links:
DVD: M*A*S*H: Season Four (Collector's Edition)
A.V. Club: "A Very Special Episode: M*A*S*H: "The Interview" article
AfterMash.blogspot fansite entry for "The Interview"
CNN interview with Alan Alda in 2006, where he names "The Interview" among M*A*S*H's best
Highlights
Alan Alda on the way improvisation was incorporated into the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview" (01m 46s)
Writer Larry Gelbart on how classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview" was conceived, written, and created (03m 18s)
Producer Gene Reynolds on classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview": how it was an added show to season four, the way it was conceived, and some memorable moments from it (04m 40s)
Editor Mili Lerner Bonsignori on the See It Now report that would later inspire the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview" (02m 08s)
Stanford Tischler on editing the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview" (00m 56s)
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview" (delivered by William Christopher's "Father Mulcahy") (02m 55s)
Actor Harry Morgan briefly on the experience of doing the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview" (00m 39s)- Producer Burt Metcalfe on the hour long season seven episode of M*A*S*H: "Our Finest Hour" inspired by season four's "The Interview" (01m 23s)
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