Did the MASH Cast Really HATE Larry Linville? 

Linville was so great in this show. The fact that all you hear about Larry is glowing praise of him and his personality. To play Frank Burns that well is a true credit to Larry.

Larry Linville helped to make that series a huge success. I cannot imagine MASH without him.

I was fortunate enough to attend a speaking performance by Larry Linville when he visited my college way back in the late 80's. He discussed his career as an actor and his time on MASH. He seems so kind and genuine which was the opposite of his character. He spoke very highly of his colleagues on MASH, especially Gary Burghoff. He seemed to have a special fondness for him. I'm glad to hear from your video that he was a likable man in real life.

In a word "No", the cast absolutely loved Larry and they all said he was one of the nicest people you'd ever meet!

I near my 70th birthday, I realize now how young 60 years old is and how he died so young.

Through his own admission, he left MASH because he took the character as far as he could and had nothing else to offer.

My favorite Linville/Burns moment is in the 7th season. It's after Margaret tells everyone about her engagement. Frank takes it hard and Margaret seems to enjoy rubbing it in a bit. At the end, Hawkeye, BJ and Frank are eating in the mess hall, she comes in and sits next to them and starts up again. Frank makes an age joke aimed in Margaret's direction, she leaves and the three guys share a genuine laugh with each other. That would have been the perfect moment to build on in making Frank more of a friend and less of a villain. Sadly, that did not happen.

So much of the comedy was amplified directly or indirectly by Major Frank Burns. My favorite character.

I talked to Loretta Swit several years ago and she said Larry was a sweet man who agreed with her decision to end the relationship between Hot Lips and Frank. They both agreed it had gone on for as long as it could and Larry was already looking ahead to his eventual departure at that point.

When an actor plays someone And you hate them for no apparent reason they have done an outstanding job acting later in life I come to find out Larry was a really cool guy And very respectful to his fans.

"Frank Burns eats worms."😂

I met Larry while in college in the late 80's. He had a one-man show about a WW2 field reporter. I worked at the university theater and got to hang out briefly with him. He was a sweet man and I enjoyed meeting him.

The sad thing was that Linville did his role so well that the producers wouldn’t allow him any character growth so he became unhappy. A shame his career didn’t go better after he left the show.

RIP Donald Sutherland

Larry played a great Frank Burns and contributed a great deal of laughs in the 5 Seasons he was on. M*A*S*H wasn't the same when McLean, Wayne and Larry left the show.

Charles became a friend to BJ and Hawkeye in the end.

Larry Linville made MASH for me,every tv show needs a heel ( which some actors don't want to play ) him and Loretta Swit were the ultimate duo who people LOVED to hate. I've seen so many officers like the ones Loretta Swit portrayed on MASH,arrogant,thought they were better than the enlisted ranks,only cared about being promoted while in the military. MASH is easily one of the best half hour tv shows ever created. IMHO.

My sister, who had a talent agency in the 1990s, was Larry Linville's agent for the latter part of his career, and I got to meet him as a result. He was never less than totally open, friendly and appreciative of his fans, which I count myself as one as a huge M*A*S*H fan. He couldn't have been further from the petulant, prissy characters he was somewhat doomed to play due his completely convincing portrayal of Frank Burns.

The producers actually talked about humanizing Burns more , But Larry Linville was against it. He said "What're you gonna do, turn him into Hawkeye?"

Linville was great on Mannix. I like the chemistry between Burns and the two commanders, Blake and Potter.

Him and trapper John were my favorites. Trapper John was wealthy enough due to stock market he didn’t have to work. Larry Linville was a great actor.

Frank "you, you...". Hawkeye "who are you calling at you you?"

I thought the funniest episode Larry did was when Hawkeye filled Burn's foxhole with water & had Sidney yell: AIR RAID, AIR RAID!!! And he fell in the water filled foxhole.

The last episode happened during my sophomore year of high school. On that last day, 3/4 of my HS classmates dressed up in mili/garb. Including myself. The only time I did anything popular in those days.

Yeah.. Loved Linville’s character. Frank Burns was something else. And I think you are right.. it would have been nice to see them humanize the character. I mean, they did humanize Margaret’s character over time and Winchester as you pointed out. His last scene where he says good bye to Margaret was one of my favorites… you could hear the sadness in his voice.. In that moment for me Frank became very human.I wonder if his goodbye was a goodbye to the show. Always Dave… great video!😊👍

I’m in the process of rewatching the series in order. Larry Linville was an amazing part of the cast that definitely made the show what it is. An incredible and unforgettable key part of television history.

Frank Burns was a character against type. Larry was known for playing intellectual characters: scientists and the like. Frank was overly emotional, rather dim despot. Larry Linville had never played that type of character nor shared many real life traits with that character. He was rather sweet and easy going. It shows how good of an actor he was.

MASH was appointment viewing in my house from when it premiered when I was in elementary school to the final episode when I was in high school. The show was one of many factors that led me to decide to pursue a career as a physician after 7th grade. Part of my bedside manner as a pediatrician borrowed some from the character of Hawkeye, as I often used humor to help alleviate fear in children and anxiety in parents.

Frank Burns: Individuality is fine, as long as we all do it together.

Really great that you found that IBM ad to summarize this video!

Larry did an incredible job on MASH. His acting as Frank is fantastic. Also RIP Donald Sutherland, the original actor to play Hawkeye Pierce.

Even as a kid I thought Frank Burns was too much of a one note character. After the first few years the writers could have gave him more than the one dimension he was stuck with

Linville was an actors actor. Loved him deeply! What talent!

I use to love when Burns would state that what the patient needed was a great surgeon (meaning himself) and Blake would always get Hawkeye to do it. Then Burns would go crying to Hot Lips. Absolute comedic genius!

Married 5 times and yet spent the last 20 years of his life unmarried. What does that mean ? Absolutely nothing just something I know about him.

From all accounts, Larry Lucille was, not only nothing like his character, but was actually pretty much a favorite among his castmates.

Many people complain about the later years of the show and how 'serious' it got (personally I preferred this era) but oddly enough during this time the characters were given more depth and nuance. Trapper was pretty much a Hawkeye clone, and yes, Frank was a virtual cartoon most of the time. By contrast, B.J. had his own character niche and Charles was allowed to be three dimensional. I'd always heard good things about Larry Linville; it seems like most of the real fictional villains are played by really nice folks in real life. Thanks for a cool video Dave!

This was my favorite show as a kid. Larry Linville and Frank were a great part of the early seasons. No flies on David Ogden Stiers who I also adore and admire.

Swamprat (can't remember if Hawkeye or BJ) to Margaret: "Well, Frank Burns was no Donald Penobscott!" Margaret: "In some ways, Donald Penobscott was no Frank Burns." SHOCKER!! then they both demanded to know what she was talking about and she refuses to elaborate. I LOVE that scene!

Larry Lindeville was on the record that there was something dark at the heart of Frank Burns's character.

The only story I have of Larry Linville was when he was guest speaking at my older sister's college. She attended the event. Afterwards she literally walked into him at the college gift shop. So she asked for his autograph. He asked her what she wanted written. She replied "...Frank Burns eats worms". Larry laughed and chuckled the whole time.

"Can I be ernest with you guys?" ..."We were hoping you'd be frank with us Frank."

This series is awesome! I appreciate the attention to detail and thorough research. The series is both informative and entertaining.

MASH was not the same once Frank Burns left. He was a classic.

If they gave Burns ANY redeeming qualities then he might have stuck around. The show really has stood the test of time. Still holds up.

There ere so many great episodes with Frank Burns. I always liked the episode, Dear Sigmund, when BJ fills Frank's foxhole with water and Sidney Freeman shouts air raid.

That was interesting about Larry being so nice. Some people on shows were about the same as their characters. I understand Cloris Leachman was somewhat like her Phyllis Lindstrom character on Mary Tyler Moore. That was not good since Phyllis was self-centered.

Very cool IBM commercial at the end featuring many of the MASH cast!

Mash was one my favorites in the 80’s! 👍

I grew up in the 70’s and watched MASH behind my parents back. It was not until reruns were played after the 10 o’clock news my mother started watching the show. I came into her office one night and started to spoiling the show for her. She asked me how I watched it and it was on the small tv in to basement. After that was a family we would watch the new episodes of the show in prime time. I was 13 at the time. MASH was a great show.

I saw him acting in a dinner theater in Kansas City and he was great. Strong and funny.

My favorite Major Burns quote...paraphrasing...."As i see it..unless we each conform..and follow our leaders blindly ..there's no possible way we can remain free!"......Linville was the ONLY actor who have taken such a cartoonish, buffoonish character like Major Burns and found ways to actually humanize this guy...even...occasionally...root for and feel empathy for...of course just as he was gettin' you in the feels...he would manage to kill it off quick before it took hold....😜....brilliant, brilliant work...

Frank Burns problem was the character did not grow. Everyone else in the show evolved to a more liberal type of person, not Frank Burns.

I met Mr. Linville once, and the was an extremely approachable, pleasant, and engaging man but he smoked like a chimney. I smoked at the time, but he smoked 3 cigarettes to my one. I was saddened but not surprised at his untimely end.

Hey! 149k! Congrats my friend! Very well deserved! Great video! I fondly remember MASH!

From what I recall the character Frank Burns was a cynical, humourless, uptight individual who took himself too seriously and was going to snap, mentally speaking one day.

They did Larry wrong. After so many years they tried the last few episodes to humanize him. But he played a one dimensional character. There was nothing left for him to do after they made margerate likable.

Larry was a fantastic actor; and as Frank Burns he was superb. I was genuinely shocked to see him leave the series; and while David's portrayal of Charles was immaculate, I can only wonder how the show might have evolved, had they chosen to keep him. I know that Larry wasn't happy with the progression of the character, but just imagine what might have been, had they decided to keep Frank and write him in as a sort of _"graduate"_ of the school of Hawkeye, Trapper and Honeycut! They could have given him a promotion and Command of his of own M.A.S.H. unit, in which there could be a couple of Frank Burns type characters that he deals with a la Hawkeye, Trapper and Honeycut. I've often heard that Larry was the antithesis of Frank; and seeing him appear on so many different shows throughout the 70's, I was able to more fully appreciate his acting chops.

Years ago, I attended a lecture by Larry Linville. I came away thinking he was intelligent and generous. A very likable guy.

Love that ad at the end. Well done.

My favorite scene is after Frank and Hot Lips split up. They are all sitting in the mess tent, and Frank asks Hawkeye about going on a double date. He tells them which nurse he wants to go out with, and Margaret asks if she is not too young for Burns. He replies that a little youth might be nice for a change, and she indignantly leaves. Meanwhile, Frank is laughing behind his cup of coffee. My favorite actor on the show. RIP Larry.

Oh gosh, I'm crying over the IBM reunion. Thanks for that! I'm a sentimental sap. ❤

I got tired of Frank Burns being such an easy foil. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. At least Winchester was a more worthy opponent, who could give as well as he got. For that reason, he was a more interesting character.

Hey Dave: Is this presentation a reupload? I seem to remember parts of this presentation... Is my memory deceiving me? The title seems familiar and a couple other segments. As always quite an enjoyable & informative presentation!

I really liked Larry Linville, he was a very good actor. I remember seeing him on various tv shows like Murder She Wrote ( on there I believe twice) and I seem to remember seeing him on Mannix playing a Lieutenant on the Police force. From a few interviews I have seen with Mr. Linville he seemed like the kind of guy I wouldn’t have minded hanging out with. Great video as always Dave. Hope you have a super weekend.

An interactive MASH set, for people to visit, could be popular

Nice to see they didnt hate it, I think most of the cast all got a long good

A temporarily blinded Hawkeye: “I need a doctor! I need a doctor here!” Frank runs up: “What’s going on here?” Hawkeye responds “Frank! Thank God you’re here. Go get me a doctor” Funny as hell.

In a way I can see why Larry left MASH. His character was way too one dimensional, and I don't think the character would have adapted to the change of the show's direction. I have many fond memories of Larry being on that show, but to me his worst episode was when Nurse Crabby brought the kids in a Frank spent most of the time trying to get to get his purple heart back.

I met Larry Linville in Vancouver Canada in the home of my brother, who was an irrepressible celebrity attractant and all-round charismatic guy. Larry was drunk on the floor. The stereotyping he received from playing Frank Burns was a gorilla on his shoulders. Very nice, humble guy once he sobered up.....

I liked how quickly he got under BJ and Colonel's skin. There is a tender moment with Frank in the episode "Kim" where Frank gives him a gentle goodbye.

I don’t remember that commercial, neat to see the gang together!❤

M*A*S*H is my favorite all time show. ALL the cast were perfect. I've read most cast members got along but some had occasional bickering. Dave your almost at 150K subscribers! I joined WAAAYYYY back! 👍

I saw an interview where Larry Linville talked about how his character had no room to grow. It wasn't like he could ever be like Hawkeye.

Ken Osmond & Larry Linville. Two very underpreciated actors in my opinion. When you play a part that well it's bound to happen.

I liked MASH. But I really enjoyed the cast after they replaced a few characters. I really do not like drama and Frank Burns was always drama. I also hate how loud and how often the laugh track was used during the first half of MASH

That was SO COOL to see WAYNE RODGERS back with the OLD gang! Only two missing were Jamie Farr and Alan Alda. I guess their britches were too big...

Why I can understand why some of the actors wanted to move on, there is something about earning a weekly paycheck from the networks at that time. You can always go for passion projects when MASH production was down.

Thank you for this great video of the wonderful Larry Linville. What a great guy. You yourself are also a great guy David, thanks for all these amazing videos done with love. 👍🏻

Frank Burns was my favourite character on the show.

The supporting cast was great for the entire run. Hot Lips, Burns, Radar, Clinger, the two captains, and the three other doctors were truly gifted. Over time, Alan Alda's portrayal got old. Just like Judd Hirsch in Taxi and Jerry Seinfeld in his sitcom. The roles of Newart, Carroll O'Connor, and Ray Romano never got stale on their sitcoms. The shows did, not their acting.

I never saw the IBM commercial before, that was great!

I recognised him appearing a couple of times in Mission Impossible.

That IBM commercial is ironic. It advertises an IBM PC--the PS/2--that wasn't IBM-compatible! It flopped big-time. It took Microsoft with Windows to finally advance the PC and to keep up with Apple.

Franks birthday episode was the funnier than most were. Alda however drove me crazy sometimes with his domination of all.

The problems with the characters on the show was that they were either all good or all bad There wasn't a lot of complexity. Frank Burns was written as a bad person (from Hawkeye's perspective), a bad husband, a bad doctor, a bad lover, etc. It got tiresome to see him fail repeatedly. It didn't make sense. Good villains have some positive aspects, some good ideas. Ogden Stiers was a better character because unlike Frank, he was actually a superior doctor. He may have been a bore but he was the best doctor there and not an alcoholic like Hawkeye (although alcoholism was not looked down upon in the 50s-70s and not in wartime.) The only character that was allowed some development was Hawkeye and that was over 11 years.

Frank Burns was a good and very funny character, but I could never believe such a bumbling boob could actually be a surgeon, or that such a beautiful and capable/competent Houlihan would have anything to do with him. It would have been great to be able to see Linville show more of his range outside of Frank Burns.

I did enjoy few episodes where Maj. Burns was the hero of the show. One I hated was when Hawkeye needed a new pair of boots and in the trading Margaret told Hawkeye and Trapper to throw a birthday party for him and "be nice". Then, they mention ALL of the despicable things they routinely did to him like putting oatmeal in his slippers...I REALLY felt sorry for the Maj. Burns character esp. when it all fell apart. Later, seeing it in rerun I consider it an overboard gratuitous assault on the Frank Burns character . I didn't blame Larry Linville for leaving. He was the most TALENTED actor on the show! It would NOT have been the success from the beginning w/o the stellar acting of Larry.

"when that flag goes up the pole every morning, I go with it."

My cousin, Jason, walked me from his house to the M*A*S*H set.

You tell'em ferrite face. Great actor!

Once Frank ,Trapper and Henry left it was all over,Allan Alda was unbearable.

Hah, great IBM commercial! I don't remember it - not sure how I missed it.

The episode I felt bad for Frank was when Hawkeye punched him in the eye. He did not get much sympathy and in the end Margaret even sold him out. I loved May Wickes in that episode. I wish they would have made her a recurring character.

I saw an interview wit Larry once in which he said, very plainly, that he left the show because he felt he had done all he could with the character. They asked him about the idea of expanding and humanizing Frank as had been done with Margaret and, later, Charles, and he responded, "Well, what do you want me to do, become Alan Alda?" For myself, I have always conceived of them taking a page from the book. In the book, it is established that Frank never went through a proper residency. Instead, he sort of apprenticed under his father, thus his education was somewhat truncated. So, I imagine a scene in which Frank's patient is in trouble, he doesn't know what to do and is more worried how this will reflect on him than with the welfare of the patient. Hawkeye and BJ are hassling him as much as trying to help. "Frank, did you try A?" "Of course I tried A" "Well, did you try B?" "Of course I did B, Mr. Smartypants. Everyone knows B is the next thing to do." "Well, what about C?" "C? No, I never thought of C." "Well, Frank, why not? That's the obvious next thing to try. Why didn't you do C?" "Because nobody ever taught me C! Where did you learn about C? Who the hell taught you this stuff!?!" After Frank's outburst, it comes out that his surgical education is foreshortened because his father had made him skip residency. After that, it becomes easier for Frank to ask for help and for the other doctors to give it instead of criticism, and the character can grow.

There are two Frank Burns scenes i really enjoy. Number 1 was after Margaret had broken his heart and he mentions the new nurse to which Margaret says she's a little young for you and Frank zings her with him saying he might need a little youth. Number 2 is just hilarious to me when he tell Radar his anecdote story about the neighborhood child in the wheelchair. Oh his family had money.

When Larry left the show, the whole writing style changed. Margaret got drunk, grew a backbone, and became more three dimensional. That was after Frank left, and her letch boyfriend, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Penobscott, dumped her. BJ and Pierce not only became more serious, but also more comedic when necessary. Have you ever done an episode of the evolution of the characters on the show? and, thanks for the commercial at the end

I always loved the over-the-top patriotism of Frank Burns. Annoying and misguided, but I liked that aspect of the character. And you knew that back in Fort Wayne, his overbearing, henpicking wife was secretly hoping that the "police action" in Korea would never end. 🤣

That was a great story. Nice job. I really enjoyed myself.

Alan Alda was more uptight and self righteous than Frank Burns could ever hope to have been. He guest starred on Carol Burnett Christmas episode, and he was really dismissive during the audience Q&A.