Rating: 
Summary: M*A*S*H*'s Origin...It Was A Situation Comedy!
Review: The very early episodes of M*A*S*H* are interesting because the show started out as a situation comedy (which eventually turned into a dramedy series). The characters of Hawkeye Pierce(Alan Alda) and Trapper John(Wayne Rogers)were clownish and the early storylines were more of an "Animal House" mentality. The most interesting aspect is the early incarnation of the character "Radar O'Reilly" (Gary Burghoff) who is basically the same as everyone else (as he is played in the film version- - Burghoff was in the film version also). Radar actually drinks and is behind some of juvenile pranks early-on. As M*A*S*H* found its voice and matured into a part-time drama series, Radar metamorphosed into a naive, innocent, grape Nee-Hi drinking, Iowa farm boy...totally different from his origin. This was necessary to keep the character going because other minor one-note characters simply disappear as the show progessed (i.e. Spearchucker and Ugly John). Probably for the purposes of a half-hour sit-com there was too many people sharing "The Swamp" living quarters. However, the characters of Klinger (Jamie Farr) and Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) were expanded. This reviewer thinks the early episodes are the best ones because the show is what it is intended to be; and that it is a comedy series. Many situation comedies these days will get an EMMY for a particular episode for "comedy" when the story is of a dramatic type plot. People lose site that it is a situation comedy. People can thank the later incarnation M*A*S*H* for that one. However, the show is great in both its incarnations from situation comedy to dramedy. The dramedy episodes is what most people will remember the show by and it is what put the show on the map. However, the early episodes are by far some of the funniest in terms of straight comedy.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Gift Set
Review: This is an excellent opportunity for Lovers of M*A*S*H to get the first 4 seasons at a great price, or to give a great gift.yes most of us probably highly anticipated the individual relases and bought them the day they came out, but maybe not everyone. Best TV series EVER. MUST HAVE!
Rating:
Summary: the best ever
Review: this was the best dvd i have ever seen in my life. And i to watch MASH when ever it comes on TV
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible packaging..but M*A*S*H* is still awesome
Review: When I ordered this set, I ordered it in full knowledge that I would not be getting any bonus features or added footage not included in the individually sold seasons 1-4. What I did expect, however was some kind of box for the cases to make it look like at least a semi-official box set. The DVD's come in individually wrapped cases that are exactly the same as the individually sold seasons.
When I opened the cellophane on the individual DVD's, I found a few things that really annoyed me. First, the DVD's come in these bulky double-sided clam cases. Most TV shows on DVD with multiple discs per season come in some sort of nifty cardboard folding case with nice art work (i.e. The Simpsons, Family Guy, etc. all released by Fox DVD, who released M*A*S*H* as well.) The other thing that got to me was the fact that the plastic covers on two of the clam cases were warped.
Finally, as I was peeling the ever-so-annoying DVD security tape off the case for season 4, the plastic cover ripped. Upon closer examination of the case and its cover, I have concluded that these DVD's have the worst packaging of any DVD's in my collection.
That being said, M*A*S*H* is one of the best TV shows ever. I am glad to have it on DVD in any form. The DVD's themselves play just fine, so I can't complain about that.
One last rant however, is that the DVD's include no commentaries, no behind-the-scenes, no bloopers, no deleted scenes, basically..they don't have anything other than the episodes themselves. Come on Fox, you can do better than this. Every other Fox DVD has tons of special features. I know that M*A*S*H*, being one of the greatest shows of all time, should at least have some archives that would make suitable bonus material. Give us anything. Also, please at least put season 6 in decent packaging.
For fans of the show, order this set if you want to get the first four seasons all at once and want to save a little cash on the side. But order it with the knowledge that you will be getting a great show in crappy packaging with no bonus material.
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