It follows a team comprising doctors and support staff. They find themselves in Uijeongbu, a city in South Korea during the Korean war of the 1950s. The team is a part of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. The original ensemble cast had Alan Alda playing the role of Benjamin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce. Wayne Rogers played the role of ‘Trapper’ John McIntyre.

These actors appear in the series as surgeons and were the protagonists. Larry Linville joined the cast as surgeon Frank Burns. Loretta Swit played the role of the head nurse, Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan.

The basis of this television show

This series usually comes under the category of ‘situational comedy’. Many also describe it as a ‘dramedy’ or ‘dark comedy’ because of its dramatic subject matter. Most of the episodes of M*A*S*H had a duration of half-an-hour. They aired weekly on CBS. The show revolves around the United States Army personnel who are a part of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

During the Korean War, the 4077th MASH was among Korea’s several surgical units. The asterisks appearing in the title of the television series were entirely creative. They were not a part of the military nomenclature. The early seasons aired when the Vietnam War was still going on.

As a result, the show had to exercise caution while commenting on the war. At the same time it had to be careful not to give out an impression that it was in a protest mode. Of course, it often questioned and mocked the role of the United States in the Cold War. However, the actors did all of this under the cover of comedy.

Reception of M*A*S*H

The first episode of the series aired on the 17th of September 1972 in the United States. ‘Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen’ was the final episode of this television series. It aired as a television film on the 28th of February 1983. It became the highest-rated and most-watched single television episode in the history of United States television at the time. According to the New York Times, it had a record-breaking 125 million viewers.

One would find it hard to believe that it struggled during its first season. There was also a risk of cancellation of this show at one point. When the series entered its second season, CBS placed it in a better time slot. The show soon went on to become one of the top 10 programs that year. For the rest of its run, it was among the top 20 programs.

The broadcast of this series still continues in syndication on many television stations. Many of the stories that featured in the early seasons of the television series were based on real tales. They were narrated by the real surgeons of MASH as a part of their interview with the production team.

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All kinds of memorabilia including action figures and video games are a part of the merchandise. Today, you’ll also find online slot games based on these television shows. This has happened owing to an increase in the popularity of online casinos in recent times. Some of these real money online slots are listed here:

1. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

You might be aware how popular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire was globally. This contemporary quiz show gave its contestants the chance to win a massive $1 million. Each of them had to answer 15 questions and each question had multiple choices. These choices came in the form of 4 options and the contestant had 3 lifelines for assistance.

The show’s popularity prompted Ash Gaming to come up with an online slot based on it. You’ll have 50 paylines and 5 reels in this game. It features attractive symbols from the game show, such as the Black Chair and Phone A Friend. Other symbols include the 50:50 logo, a sterling sign, $1 million, and the official logo of the show. You’ll get a feeling of nostalgia with the slot’s neon-blue theme and its soundtrack.

There are many bonus features in the game as well. One of them is the progressive jackpot. It gets activated upon getting three or more symbols of Jackpot Ladder on the reels. The Free Spins mode is another bonus feature. It involves scatters on the reels and can get you 10, 15, or 20 free spins.

You’ll notice that the wild is the most profitable symbol in this game. If you manage to get 5 wilds on an active payline, you’ll win 5000x the original bet. This online slot would certainly impress you with its fast gameplay, attractive visuals, and fantastic bonuses.

2. Game of Thrones

This show has a huge fan following worldwide owing to its brilliant direction and awe-inspiring visuals. Game of Thrones also had some strong performances from highly talented actors. The story is about a mythical land called Westeros. Different houses of the seven kingdoms in the land struggle for control over the Iron throne.

Microgaming was convinced about the tremendous popularity of this television series. This led them to release an online slot game based on its theme. It features many special symbols, which includes the wild symbol featuring the show’s official logo. You’ll also come across the Iron Throne scatter symbol. These stacked symbols can give you potentially huge wins.

You can earn a fiery dragon egg through the two Iron Throne scatters. The free spins feature launches with 3 or more scatters. It allows you to choose from the show’s 4 great houses. All these houses offer their own number of spins and degrees of multipliers. You’ll have the option of wagering all your winnings after each win on the spin of the ‘Braavosi’ coin. With this feature, each win doubles the winnings.

This is accompanied by the marvelous visuals of Westeros. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll definitely love this online slot game. The reels would remind you of the show’s intro with the bronze and gold theme. Another feature that keeps you hooked is the original soundtrack that plays in the background.

3. Family Guy Online Slots

Family Guy is a show that’s full of crude humor and jokes that are politically incorrect. It showcases the different attitudes of people in a typical American family. This is one of the funniest television shows of all time spanning over 279 episodes in 15 seasons. Among the highlights of this show is its main character, Peter.

He tries hard to keep his whole family satisfied while encountering some obstacles that you’ll find hilarious. International Game Technology or IGT came up with a powerful online slot game based on this show in 2014. It features the characters of this popular television show and has 30 paylines and 5 reels.

The bets range from $1 to $1,500 per spin. This online slot game also has seven different bonus features. Each of them are based on a popular character from Family Guy. If you get a World Bonus symbol anywhere on three middle reels, the Family Guy World Bonus gets triggered.

By clicking on the globe symbol, you’ll have three more bonuses. These three bonuses are the Drunken Clam Bonus, Chicken Fight! Bonus, and Lois’ Hot Free Spins Bonus. Family Guy is a fast-paced slot game and you’ll certainly appreciate its fascinating interface and smooth gameplay.

4. American Idol

This online slot game is yet another powerful offering from International Game Technology (IGT). It’s based on the popular American reality show of the same name. The show’s basic concept is to choose one solo singer based on votes from the public. It went on air in the year 2002 and had millions participating in public voting for their respective idols.

The slot game based on this reality show was launched in 2012. It was the time when this show was at its peak of popularity. Of of the key features of this online slot game is that it gets updated in real time. The progressive jackpot of this game has a betting range between $0.01 and $5 per payline. It features 5 reels with each game having a corresponding judge.

Among the judges are Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez. You’ll have three exclusive bonuses in this game. The superstar bonus triggers randomly and you need to choose your favorite contestant with the voting system. When a particular symbol forms in the center reels of each game, the Judges Pick’em Bonus gets triggered.

This leads to three more bonuses with different features. Steven’s bonus will take you to the audition screen. Once you get there, you’ll need to choose one from the three contestants. If the contestant you chose has a golden ticket, you’ll get credits of more than 1,000.

Jennifer’s bonus would activate the double reload feature in addition to a few free bonus games. Randy’s bonus activates a ‘Top Of The Charts’ bonus round. In this round, you’ll need to pick a symbol out of seven musical instruments. This can lead you to free credits and multipliers.

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You must’ve loved one of them as a kid or watched any of them with your friends. Here we present some of the most popular CBS television shows that millions of people have admired:

1. M*A*S*H

Jamie Farr, who played corporal Klinger in this highly successful CBS television series, said something interesting. He said that Altman was making only one movie and they were making a whole show. Robert Altman, the director of the 1970 film of the same name, had disrespected the television adaptation once.

He must’ve regretted dissing the television show as it proved to be groundbreaking. The finale of this series is still the highest-rated television episode.

2. All in the Family

Initially, CBS network was worried about this show. The topics discussed in the show were a taboo in those days. The show’s tone and what the lead character might say were among the network’s biggest concerns. It took three years to get this show on air. The show’s creator, Norman Lear, once said that everybody knew an Archie Bunker in those days.

3. The Big Bang Theory

This American television sitcom premiered on CBS in 2007 and concluded in 2019. Originally, the show centered on five characters who were living in Pasadena, California. Produced by Chuck Lorre Productions, this show was filmed before a live audience. All through its first season, the show got mixed reviews.

In the second and third seasons, the reviews it received were more favorable. From 2011 to 2014, it was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. From the 46 Emmy nominations that the show received, it won seven.

4. The Twilight Zone

This show was a critical and commercial success and ran on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The shooting of this television series was done entirely in black and white. It introduced most of the American viewers to common science fiction. The creator of this show, Rod Serling, often had complaints about the censorship from the sponsors and networks.

The Twilight Zone proved to be a major success in those days. It was the success of this television series that led to the making of a feature film. This was followed by a television film, and a radio series.

5. Everybody Loves Raymond

This American sitcom aired on CBS from 1996 to 2005, spanning more than 9 seasons and 210 episodes. It was created by Philip Rosenthal and featured Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, and Brad Garrett. Everybody Loves Raymond centers on Raymond Barone, an Italian-American everyman. He lives with his family on Long Island and is a sportswriter for Newsday.

Raymond makes jokes in almost every situation, regardless of how troubling or serious it is. He tends to run away from responsibilities often and leaves all of them to his wife, Debra. In the sitcom, Ray Romano played the lead role of Raymond Barone. Patricia Heaton played the role of his wife, Debra Barone.

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This show almost got canceled during its first season. With a gradual change in tone and its writers, the show successfully made a place in the viewers’ hearts. Here are certain facts about this show that are probably unknown:

1. Some of its actors had real military experience

Ever wondered why the mindset and discipline of the characters looked so authentic on screen? Well, it was largely owing to the real military experience that some of them went through. The lead actor, Alan Alda, had served as a reserve during the Korean War. This helped him shine as ‘Captain Hawkeye Pierce’, fitting perfectly into the character. He was a gunnery officer during the actual war.

2. Jamie Farr was never intended to last for more than an episode

Jamie Farr played Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in M*A*S*H. The purpose of his character in the series initially was to merely crack some quick jokes. They didn’t intend to continue with him for more than a single episode, but something clicked.

The writers and the audience loved his unique way of traversing the war effort. This opened up some fresh ideas and new avenues. He was often shown as an opportunistic individual and his acts drew laughs and admiration from the audience.

3. The numerous challenges that the producers faced

The producers didn’t achieve the massive success of this famous television series that easily. They constantly faced a number of challenges. To begin with, they had to express their opinions about war rather subtly. The cast had to be clever in their innuendos that were under the cover of a dark comedy. During the first year, the show was a flop because it was not relatable for many viewers.

Because of the show’s low ratings, M*A*S*H almost got canceled. If they wanted to survive, they had to appeal to a wider audience. The producers then decided to change certain things. They made an arrangement to air the show on Saturday nights. Surprisingly, this arrangement worked and the show gained massive popularity in the days that followed.

4. Tensions between writers and actors

During the early days of M*A*S*H, everyone had the opportunity to contribute towards the further progression of the series. This gradually became a headache for the writers. It was because of all those notes and letters that they received from the actors. Then, the writers began thinking of ways to get back at the cast. They were writing too many details in their scripts that were not necessary.

This created a growing division between the actors and the writers. Soon, both the sides were making each other’s life difficult. One of the actors had to wear heavy parkas in a tropical scene according to the script. This happened in Malibu on a hot summer day. This irked McLean Stevenson and he left the show. Things began to simmer down after that episode, thankfully.

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During the 1990s and 2000s, he voiced several characters of Disney. They included that of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast. During his later years, he continued his voice work for several films and television productions. He also spent his later years as Newport Symphony Orchestra’s conductor.

Early days of David Ogden Stiers

He was born David Allen Ogden Stiers on the 31st of October, 1942. His parents were Margaret Elizabeth and Kenneth Truman Stiers. Stiers attended Urbana High School, where he had film critic Roger Ebert as one of his classmates. After his graduation from Juilliard School in New York City, he first appeared as an actor in The Magic Show.

Although his role was a minor one, The Magic Show was a Broadway production. He worked in several other Broadway productions after this. They included The Three Sisters and The Beggar’s Opera. He also appeared in the pilot episode of Charlie’s Angels.

M*A*S*H

With the exit of actor Larry Linville from the hit television series, M*A*S*H, a void was created. Stiers helped fill this void with his character of Major Charles Emerson Winchester III. This happened when he joined the cast of this CBS television series in 1977.

His character was a contrast to Frank Burns, which Linville had played. Major Winchester was sophisticated and articulate besides being an immensely talented surgeon. For this role, Stiers got two Emmy Awards.

Other works in television

Stiers had guest appearances in many television shows after 1983, when M*A*S*H had completed its run. These television shows included Star Trek: The Next Generation, North and South, and Frasier. He appeared as Mr. Bauer in the first season of Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place. This was his regular role.

In the year 2002, he had a recurring role as Reverend Purdy in The Dead Zone. This was a successful USA Network series, in which, he appeared with Anthony Michael Hall. He was cast as Oberoth in Stargate Atlantis in 2006.

David Ogden Stiers Voice work

His first voice work was for one of the earliest films of George Lucas. Stiers also collaborated with Disney for eight animated films, which included Beauty and the Beast. Besides films, he has also provided voice work for video games such as Icewind Dale and Kingdom Hearts II.

Music

During his days at Juilliard School, he skipped his acting classes to sit in music classes. David Ogden Stiers had received no formal training in music. Yet, he was the associate conductor of the Ernest Bloch Music Festival and the Newport Symphony Orchestra. He has also guest-conducted more than 70 orchestras worldwide.

Death

Stiers died from complications associated with bladder cancer on the 3rd of March 2018. He was 75 when he passed away at his home in Newport, Oregon.

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He must learn to love her and in return earn her love. This must happen before the last petal from an enchanted rose falls. If this doesn’t happen, the Beast will remain a monster forever. This film released by Walt Disney Pictures had voices from some extremely talented artists.

1. Robby Benson – Beast

This turned out to be a life-changing gig for this voice actor. He was the voice behind the protagonist of the film, Beast. After lending his voice to this cursed creature, he added many voice roles to his resume. They included the roles in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, The Legend of Prince Valiant, and House of Mouse.

2. Paige O’Hara – Belle

The voice of Belle was given by this lovely actress and singer. She had begun her career in 1983 as a Broadway actress, portraying Ellie May Chipley. O’Hara was given a Disney Legend Award in 2011 for her work.

3. David Ogden Stiers – Cogsworth

Before giving his voice for Cogsworth the clock, Stiers was seen in M*A*S*H and North and South. After the critical and commercial success of Beauty and the Beast, he continued his voice work. He lent his vocals in Pocahontas, Spirited Away, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Lilo & Stitch.

4. Rex Everheart – Maurice

The voice behind the ‘crazy old Maurice’ was of Rex Everhart. In the film, Maurice is Belle’s father. Before lending his voice to the character of Maurice, he had done several voice works. They included the ones in Superman, Friday the 13th, and Family Business.

5. Bradley Pierce – Chip

Bradley Pierce began acting when he was six years of age. The voice of Chip, the teacup son of Mrs. Potts, was Pierce’s first credited roles. After this voice work, he went on to appear in Jumanji and The Borrowers. He also did voice works in Sonic the Hedgehog and the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

6. Angela Lansbury – Mrs. Potts

Before lending her voice in Beauty and the Beast, Angela Lansbury appeared in many films. They included Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Manchurian Candidate. She even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for her performance of the film’s title song. Lansbury continued her voice works with movies such as Anastasia and Nanny McPhee.

7. Jerry Orbach – Lumiere

The voice of Lumiere the candlestick in Beauty and the Beast is of Jerry Orbach. He got this opportunity within months of his debut in Law & Order as Lennie Briscoe. After lending his voice in the film, he played Lennie for over a decade. He also did voice works in many episodes of Disney’s House of Mouse.

8. Jo Anne Worley – Wardrobe

Before she voiced the Wardrobe in this animated film, she was already famous. Worley had appeared in game shows such as Hollywood Squares and The $10,000 Pyramid. After the success of Beauty and the Beast, she continued her voice works with several other projects.

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The same can be said about television, as there were several new series being aired. Some were giving the right doses of fun, while others raised a few eyebrows. Here, we’ll take a look at the most popular television shows from that exciting decade:

1. M*A*S*H

This immensely popular Korean War comedy-drama series was adapted from the feature film with the same title. You’ll be amazed at its photography and filming even today. It actually makes you feel that you’re right there with the actors. The show revolves around a few key American personnel who are a part of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

In the series, Alan Alda played the role of Benjamin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce, the chief surgeon. David Ogden Stiers was seen in the role of Charles Emerson Winchester III after he replaced Frank Burns.

2. All In The Family

This television show never left its number one position on CBS for five seasons. It was mainly because its actors were talking about some real issues, such as racism, religion, and abortion. During those times, this comedy-drama was a bit controversial as it was not that family-friendly.

It talked about some uncomfortable topics that were a taboo in those days. This show from the 70s was able to discuss such issues and also find humor in them. This series features a family living in Queens with two couples under the same roof.

3. Saturday Night Live

Some of the actors who starred on the show during the 70s include Bill Murray and John Belushi. This television show used comedy sketches as a means to mock the contemporary American politics and culture. Saturday Night Live still creates a lot of moments that make you laugh out loud.

If you’re a fan of slapstick with a mixture of American wit, this is a show you must watch. Many of the performers who appeared in the show went on to achieve stardom.

4. Sanford and Son

Many consider Sanford and Son to be among the first African-American sitcoms. It was a groundbreaking comedy series. Some called it the answer of NBC to All In The Family, which had an all-white cast. This show centers on a father and his son who live in South Central Los Angeles.

Fred, the father, is always looking for new ways to get rich quick. This often leads to several mishaps. Thankfully, his son Lamont is always there to help his father. This television series finished its six-season run in 1977 and paved the way for more such sitcoms.

5. Three’s Company

One of the top shows from the 1970s, this comedy series revolves around misunderstandings. What would make you laugh are the things that follow after the misunderstandings have taken place. Janet, Jack, and Chrissy are the three most notable characters in the show. They live as platonic roommates in a flat in Santa Monica. Things get more interesting with the presence of their landlords Helen Roper and Stanley Roper.

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It was picked up by USA Network after UPN dropped the show. The series got canceled in 2007 on a major cliffhanger. The reasons were the producers’ fear of low ratings and financial concerns. However, this television series gave us some memorable characters. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. Johnny Smith

He is the protagonist of the series. A retired schoolteacher, Smith has developed psychic abilities after he had a car accident. The first episode hints at his psychic abilities during his encounter with a carnival trickster. After the car accident, he goes into a coma.

When he comes out of his coma, his intuition changes into visions. Whenever he has such visions, he is capable of manipulating time. His new psychic abilities allow him to examine details from the past, present, and future. Anthony Michael Hall plays the role of Johnny Smith in the series.

2. Sarah Bracknell Bannerman

Nicole de Boer plays the role of Johnny’s former fiancé, Sarah Bannerman. She had a son with him named J.J. When Johnny was in his coma, Sarah had married Walt Bannerman. Now, the husband and wife are raising J.J. together. She knew Johnny right from the time when they were children.

Sarah had also taught at the same school where he was a schoolteacher. Her mother died when she was in her teens. This had resulted in a strained relationship with her father. She gives birth to Walt’s daughter at the beginning of season 6 and gives her the name ‘Hope’.

3. Reverend Gene Purdy

David Ogden Stiers plays the original character in the series. He is a religious leader and heads a prestigious university. Reverend Purdy is also the head of foundations that have been funded by Johnny’s mother, Vera Smith. The newly acquired powers of Johnny allows him to know the fact that Purdy loved Vera. He was in love with her for over 35 years.

After Vera committed suicide, Purdy covered up the incident. He made everyone believe that the reason for her death was a heart attack. Thus, he manages to preserve her dignity among the public. Although he has always been in constant service of God, he has an involvement in shady dealings.

4. Sheriff Walt Bannerman

Chris Bruno plays the role of Sarah’s husband, Walt Bannerman. His relationship with Johnny is initially quite rocky. This is because Johnny often feels that Walt deliberately stole Sarah from him. As Johnny uses his powers more than ever before in situations of law enforcement, Walt begins to value him. Soon, the two become friends.

In the novel, the man Sarah married was Walt Hazlett and George Bannerman was the sheriff. Walt dies in a fire that occurs at the Faith Heritage Chapel at the beginning of season 6. Nevertheless, he continues to pop up in flashbacks, visions, and as a ghost throughout the season.

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Fans also remember the television appearances of Stiers, which include guest roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also had many starring and recurring roles in some of the greatest television shows during his career. Here, we’ve presented some of the excellent television roles that Stiers had played:

1. As Major Winchester in M*A*S*H

If you’ve watched this immensely successful television series, you’ll certainly know who Major Charles Emerson Winchester III is. This character in M*A*S*H was brought in as a replacement for Frank Burns. Stiers played this character to perfection, with an improvement over the antagonistic Burns.

Major Winchester was less of a jerk and more of a dignified gentleman. He proved to be a fun addition to the cast of this famous American television show.

2. As Reverend Gene Purdy in Dead Zone

In the pilot episode of Dead Zone, Michael Moriarty had played the role of Reverend Gene Purdy. When the show went to air, David Ogden Stiers was brought in to portray this role. This television series is about a man called Johnny Smith, played by Anthony Michael Hall.

Upon coming out of his coma, Smith learns something truly astonishing. He can touch someone and witness parts of the past and future. In Dead Zone, Stiers completely owned the role. He was the one managing the trust fund of Johnny Smith while he was in a coma.

3. As Mr. Maellard in Regular Show

This Cartoon Network series was one of the best cartoon shows for kids as well as adults. In Regular Show, Mr. Maellard is the owner of the park where Benson works. He is that perfect antagonist on the show to all those hapless heroes. During his career, David Ogden Stiers played a significant number of voice roles for animated television series.

His two long-running roles were in Regular Show and Lilo & Stitch: The Series. In the latter, he was the voice of Dr. Jumba Jookiba.

4. As Oberoth in Stargate Atlantis

In Stargate Atlantis, Stiers played the role of Oberoth, the High Councilor of Asuras. He only appeared in three episodes of the series, but delivered an impressive performance. His character was seemingly arrogant. One could see the disdain when Lt. Colonel Sheppard and his team arrive on Asuras.

In his first appearance he tries to destroy Atlantis and dies. He returns in the episode ‘First Strike’. Later, you know about the survival of his consciousness. Now he seeks vengeance against Atlantis and Lt. Colonel Sheppard. He creates the Hybrid, but fails to destroy his enemies once again in Atlantis.

5. As Mr. Bauer in Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place

You’ve probably missed a highly entertaining show from the late 1990s if you haven’t seen this sitcom. It starred Ryan Reynolds, one of the highest-grossing film actors in his early television role. The sitcom also featured Nathan Fillion who played the lead role of Captain Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly.

David Ogden Stiers portrayed one of his most unique roles in Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place. He plays the delusional character of Mr. Bauer in this sitcom.

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