why did henry blake leave mashwhy did henry blake leave mash

Henry Blake Another time while drunk he claims he was sent to Korea after attending a party with a 30-year career military medical general; when the general made a remark about a coffee enema, Blake foolishly responded, "with cream and sugar?". He is eventually released and returns to the 4077th, but dies shortly thereafter from his injuries. M*A*S*H was not about happy endings. Henry is Christian, having mentioned his faith in many episodes, but his denomination remains unknown. McLean Stevenson originally auditioned for the role of Hawkeye, but was convinced by producers to take the role of Lieutenant Colonel Blake instead. MASH ", "Ever since the dark days before Pearl Harbor, I've been proud to wear this uniform". [7] The final scenes have always been shown in syndication, and were uncut on the DVD release of the series' third season in 2003. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. Having the much-loved Henry Blake (wonderfully played by McLean Stevenson) killed off when his plane was shot down during his flight home was a sort of reality check provided for the viewers by the show's writers. At one point, Henry mocked Hot Lips by saying that she had gone over his head so many times that he had athletes scalp. But then again, Henry Blake was kind of corny. Though Henry was a capable doctor and a decent man, he was largely ineffectual as a commanding officer, though in his defense, Henry never professed to be a great leader, and was fully aware that he was in over his head as commander. One is that the actor who played Henry Blake, McLean Stevenson, wanted to leave the show and they couldnt come to an agreement on his contract. Creator Larry Gelbart discussed the controversial decision and why it was the right way to end Blakes run on the show. "Whatever you guys decide is fine with me. There were no survivors. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In the film, Henry is a career Army man, having been commissioned prior to World War II. One is that the actor who played Henry Blake, McLean Stevenson, wanted to leave the show and they couldnt come to an agreement on his contract. You are both very missed. Who turned down the role of Hawkeye in mash? Then, M*A*S*H and the 4077th go about the business of tending to the wounded. WebThe episode is notable for its shocking ending, in which the unit's amiable commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson) receives an honorable discharge and leaves for home, but in the We decided his character could, not should, could die. Colonel Henry Blake, the commanding officer of the 4077th MASH in Korea, was killed while on his way home. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Hollywood Reporter did an oral history on the award-winning show back in 2018. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. While Stevenson's departure was announced prior to and written into "Abyssinia, Henry", Rogers unexpectedly left the series during the break between seasons, and so his character's departure takes place off-screen in the following episode, "Welcome to Korea", the first of the show's fourth season. McLean Stevenson as Henry Blake in the M*A*S*H TV series. Klinger, aren't you ashamed of yourself? MASH "[9] Initially, Gelbart and Reynolds hand-wrote letters in response to the feedback, but eventually, due to the overwhelming number of letters, a form response was created explaining the rationale of their decisions. How did McLean Stevenson die? The episode of M*A*S*H in which Henry Blake died is one of the most famous and well-known episodes in television history. "Klinger, it's 4 o'clock in the afternoon and you're still in a housecoat?! [17] The character of Trapper John McIntyre was subsequently written off the series in "Welcome to Korea," the first episode of the next season. "[7] Many of those who objected also cited the fact that M*A*S*H was considered a situation comedy, and that Blake's "cheap" killing did not belong in the show; one caller to Reynolds stated after the episode aired that they "don't know why [they] did it; it's not necessary, it's just a little comedy show" and that "you've upset everybody [in the family]," before vowing never to watch the show again. They even ripped out the last page of the script so the rest of the cast wouldnt know. Henry's affectionate individual goodbyes to the others are cut short by the imminent arrival of his helicopter, but Hawkeye pulls him aside and persuades him to give a long parting kiss to Margaret, to her surprise and Frank's annoyance. Eerily enough, the drunken Margaret told Henry that he looked just like her father before he died, to which Henry merely shrugged and replied, Yeah, a lot of people have said that. (Later in the series, Margaret's father was retconned as still alive and visited her in camp). WebMcLean Stevenson was Henry Blake, who in M*A*S*H, the TV series, was an Army reservist called up to serve in the Korean War as a doctor. (1941-1984). [9] Another, more lighthearted response to the episode came from an unhappy viewer in Lubbock, Texas, who sent a telegram stating that "Henry Blake has been found in a raft in Lake Lubbock. Andrew (son) Jane and Molly (daughters) Unnamed newborn son (born during Season 1 episode "Showtime") In the TV series, Henry is a reservist called up to active duty from his private practice in his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The stuffed bear was named by Big Birds performer Caroll Spinney as a tribute to actor Gary Burghoff, who played Walter Radar OReilly on M*A*S*H. In a Season 39 episode, Big Bird holds a nest sale and bumps Radar into the nest where he is selling toys without knowing. Henry Blake was a Korean War veteran and the commanding officer of the 4077th M*A*S*H unit. According to his colleague Loretta Swit, Blake left because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be number one. This was also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine. M*A*S*H Why was Colonel Blake killed off Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. Commanding Officer/Senior Surgeon at the 4077th M*A*S*H Gin is a flavored spirit, flavored with Juniper berry s. NOTE: Gwen Farrell is not related to Mike Farrell (B.J. And Rule Number 2 is doctors can't change Rule Number 1.". If they started filming the show knowing Henry was a dead man by the end of the episode, their performances would have been quite different. 185.126.219.251 There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. When Henry Blake was killed off on MASH, it sent shockwaves through the television world. McLean Stevenson Born: scene was cut from the episode. WebM*A*S*H was both a television series and a movie, so several actors played the same character. Why did Frank Burns leave? Henry Blake Required fields are marked *, The IRS Office of Chief Counsel has decided that new requirements will be applicable for the, To understand the new politics stance and other pro nationals of recent times, we should look, The possibility of online instruction was laughed at not all that numerous years back. Why did [8] Still, shortly after the episode originally aired, the reactions and feedback of viewers were intense, both in support and condemnation of the events of the episode. McLean Stevenson/Date of death. because he was tired of his supporting role to Alan Alda and Wayne McLean Stevenson/Cause of death. Up until this point, death had largely been avoided as a topic on television. When Hawkeye accused him of signing it and finding out he hadn't, he wryly acknowledged Henry's character when he replied, "How dare you do the right thing". if we turned on the [television] set we would see fifteen people [killed in Vietnam every night]. He did not survive the crash. When Nancy leaves camp, Henry strangely finds himself relieved that she is now gone. Lt. Colonel Henry Blake Loretta Swit said it was because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be number one. (This is also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine) The departure would take place the last episode of the third season. Abyssinia, Henry Henry Blake The title of the episode refers to the 1920s1930s slang use of "Abyssinia" for "goodbye". That was gracious. He went back to him to return the salute and then said, "You behave yourself, or I'm gonna come back and kick your butt." The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. He was also unsure of the success of the show. He did not survive the crash. It is normal to cold feet before wedding. the CBS television comedy M*A*S*H from 1974-75. . Henry Blake MASH Look, I'm a doctor. Vital information It seems their lives were always meant to intertwine. In 1975 Stevenson decided to leave the show. The producers, Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds, decided almost at the last minute to add Henry's death to the episode. Remember, on the show, Henry Blake was going home, back to Illinois to his wife and son, who had been born while he was in Korea. Why did The series never mentions how he came to receive a Purple Heart (for wounds in battle) and it is shown as being worn AFTER the Army Commendation Medal, which is incorrect. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. All were short-lived, and he later conceded that leaving MASH was the mistake of his career. Henry Blake MASH Your email address will not be published. Trapper and Hawkeye threw him a big farewell party where everyone said their goodbye to him. Henry Blake She and Henry met at a freshman mixer while she was dating football star Buzz Wollinski. They are unfortunately not accurately portrayed. [5] After shooting was completed, a season-ending cast party was planned. Why did M*A*S*H Why was Colonel Blake killed off 24th episode of the 3rd season of M*A*S*H. "Abyssinia, Henry." 1." McLean Stevenson , who had established himself on Broadway, as well as in TV writing, played Blake on TV beginning in 1972. McLean Stevenson Lorraine was a one-time Succotash Queen at Illinois Normal (now Illinois State). His friends sent him off with a round of applause. In a related note, Ive found that there are two times when you can judge a person very well: How they behave when they have nothing, and how they behave when they have everything. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake's plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. McLean Stevenson; Played Lt. Col. Blake People like Henry Blake are lost in war. Why Did They Get Rid of Henry Blake On MASH? Henry was the commanding officer of the 4077th. WebOriginally Answered: On the TV show M*A*S*H Why was colonel Blake killed off? Blake will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man, who cared deeply for his friends and colleagues. "Over the River and Through the Woods" (, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:29. He wanted more of a starring, instead of a supporting, role in the series, and he thought he could do better because "everyone loved Henry". Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. The creators and also the network granted his wish. Is Colonel Blake from MASH still alive? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. First, it was one of the first times that a major character had died on a television show. His character dies, and he was that character., Gary Burghoff, who portrayed Radar, said he felt devastated by the cruel finality of it all., Burghoff said: I took Mac aside and said, If you dont want me to do this scene, I wont. I was hoping the shock of it would get him to change his mind. He once admitted causing his college football team to lose a championship game after Henry taped the wrong leg of the star running-back. Henry even ordered Hawkeye and Trapper to sober her up quickly for incoming wounded so that the incident would not show up on her permanent military record. His tenacity nearly cost him his life when, in Cowboy, he stubbornly refused to let a distraught helicopter pilot go on leave to see his wife, and the nearly unbalanced pilot almost killed Blake four times. Only one cast member knew Henry Blake would die beforehand, and that was star Alan Alda. In reality, the Army stopped using the point system after World War II, and doctors were never rotated according to points. The teddy bear, which never officially had a name on MASH, but was secretly named Tiger according to Mr. Burghoff, does live on through the childrens show Sesame Street. Colonel Sherman Tecumseh Potter appears in the M*A*S*H and AfterMASH television series. Sherman T. Potter. Is Tom Sandoval Dating Raquel? Henry dared him to do it saying "He's done it so many times I've got footprints on my scalp". Why did Henry Blake leave mash? In the premiere of season four, Hawkeye learned that Trapper John had been discharged. Radar was visibly emotional throughout the whole episode. Why did M*A*S*H Cast and Crew Once Discussed Making - Outsider 20th Century Fox sued him for breach of contract, but the lawsuit collapsed. He wanted more of a starring, instead of a supporting, role in the series, and he thought he could do better because "everyone loved Henry". On the night before Henry's departure, Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), Trapper McIntyre (Wayne Rogers), and Radar throw a drunken going-away party for Henry at Rosie's Bar and Grill, and present him with a tailored civilian suit as a parting gift. We were working on the story of McLean leaving. The Reason McLean Stevenson Left MASH It would have colored their performances.. Lt. Col. Henry Blake Please whitelist to support our site. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2fea0c7a8cc2c8 Heart Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. (November 14, 1927 February 15, 1996) was an American actor and comedian. How much money did Alan Alda make on MASH? While he was beloved by most of the camp, particularly Hawkeye and Trapper for his down-to-earth, laid-back manner, he was disliked and scorned by Margaret and Frank, with Margaret preferring stricter military discipline while Frank yearned to take command. Henry never repents that he is a hypocritical serial adulterer. Just as he climbed aboard, Radar emotionally gave him a final salute. Lorraine (called Mildred in Season 1), ?-1952 (his death). And cast members still remembered how they felt when writers gave them the dialogue for the final scene with Blake. Both were canceled the same year and the finale episodes aired one day apart. He often portrayed roles as a stuffy defender of the upper class and had regular roles on a number of television series. The creators and also the network granted his wish. McLean Stevenson They didn't expect it but it made the point. M*A*S*H Cast and Crew Once Discussed Making - Outsider This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Their charge was a half-truth, as Henry had sent some medical supplies to Nurse Meg Cratty, who operated a civilian clinic in North Korea. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to his colleague Loretta Swit, Blake left because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be number one. This was also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine. The expression Abyssinia, Henry comes from a Flapper era, 20s era. The cast was stunned when they learned about Blakes death. Majors Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit) and Frank Burns (Larry Linville) celebrate privately that Frank will become the unit commander. There were no survivors." Know the Real Truth! Eye Color: Similar to Henry, Potter was easygoing, fun-loving and compassionate enough to earn the deep respect of his staff (including Margaret, but not Frank, who resented being passed over for command), but in contrast, Potter was a career soldier and consummate leader and surgeon, and never hesitated to put his foot down when things got out of hand. Colonel Henry Blake Scene. Loretta Swit, who played Hot Lips Houlihan, said, that in hindsight, it was best that the cast didnt know days beforehand about the decision to have Blake die. Farr then went on to say that the first take "was a blockbuster", with gasps being heard from the crew, but they had to shoot a second take due to a technical problem. Stevenson was recovering from bladder cancer surgery at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center on February 15, 1996, when he suffered a sudden fatal heart attack. The episode ended with Henry Blakes helicopter going down off the coast of Japan, off-screen. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. ", (Talking on the phone to his son) "I don't care if your sister. It does not store any personal data. For instance, McLean Stevenson played Col. Henry Blake on TV but Roger Bowen played the role in the movie.