Radar is one ofMASH’smost popular characters and received a moving ending on the series - until he returned for the ill-fated spinoffs. Many keyMASHactors exited the showduring its 11-season run. The most (in)famous was McLean Stevenson during the third series, where his character Henry Blake shockingly died during the finale. The majority of the ensemble stuck withMASH, however, perhaps recognizing that it would become the show that defined their careers.
The final major departure came with season 8, where Gary Burghoff’s Walter “Radar” O’Reilly was sent home.Burghoff was the only actor to appear in both the 1970 Robert Altman movieandthe series, so his exit was a major event. More than that, Radar was one of the most popular supporting players. Even in the midst of a horrible warzone, the character’s loveable naivety and innocence provided a nice contrast to the cynicism of the leads. Burghoff brought a lot of warmth to the role, and his final episode was suitably emotional.
The Closest MASH Came To A Hawkeye-Free Episode Proves The Show Could Work Without Him
A season 6 episode of MASH pushed Alan Alda’s Hawkeye to one side and highlighted the sitcom could still work without him as the focus.
We salute you, Radar
Burghoff decided to leaveMASHto focus on his family, and while he originally planned to exit toward the end of the seventh series, his depature was pushed to season 8. As befitting such an audience favorite,the showrunners gave Radar a two-part sendoff with “Goodbye Radar,” where Walter is sent homeafter a death in the family. Despite having a golden ticket to head home, Radar has second thoughts about leaving his friends behind - until Hawkeye gives him a stern talking to.
“Goodbye Radar” closes with the 4077th attempting to throw him goodbye party, but once wounded are flown in, everyone is too busy to say a proper farewell. Before he leaves,Radar looks in on the operating room, where Hawkeye notices him and - in a move that was exceptionally rare for the war-hating surgeon - gives his friend a salute. Radar salutes back and is then driven out of the camp. Needless to say, Burghoff’s exit is a poignant one, and made for one ofMASH’smost emotional episodes.
Radar’s Return In AfterMASH & WALTE*R Spoiled His Season 8 Ending
MASHended due to a cast vote, with Alda and most of the other performers feeling it was time to wrap up before the sitcom grew stale. This was a smart move - though CBS didn’t read it that way. The show was still a ratings hit, so the network offered the actors who voted against endingMASHa spinoff show instead.AfterMASHdebuted about six months after the main series ended, but despite being a respectable hit, the reviews were tepid to bad.
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WALTE*R(TV Pilot)
1984
Panicked, CBS tried to draw in any major guest star for theirMASHspinoff seriesthey could, but the likes of Alda, Mike Farrell and Loretta Swit passed on guest appearances. Burghoff was the only one to respond, as most of hisMASHfollow-up projects failed to perform. In fairness,Burghoff’s twoAfterMASHepisodes were highlights and gave an update on Radar’s post-war activities - but they weren’t worth undoing his perfectMASHexiteither.
WALTE*R involved Radar becoming a police officer, but while a pilot was filmed, CBS passed on a full series.
Radar’s return was a cynical attempt to drum up ratings, and even if his episodes were better than average, they’re nothing special either. CBS was happy with Burghoff’s appearance though and decided to try a Radar solo series dubbedWALTE*R. This involved Radar becoming a police officer, but while a pilot was filmed, CBS passed on a full series. The pilot eventually aired once in 1984 before fading into obscurity.
The Failure Of WALTE*R Proved CBS’s MASH Spinoffs Were Doomed
The franchise should have ended with MASH’s finale
“Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” wasMASH’sfinale, and remains, to this day, the most watched scripted episode of television ever. That’s a record that’s unlikely to be beaten, and it’s hard to picture a better way to wrap up such a groundbreaking program. Of course, CBS wanted to keep the franchise’s heart beating a little longer, butthe slipping ratings ofAfterMASHand the terribleWALTE*Rpilot convinced the network it was time to pull the plug.
Gary Burghoff co-directed and starred in the 1992 horror movieSmall Kill.
It’s also a shame thatWALTE*Rwas the last time Burghoff played Radar, since the pilot is easily the worst outing of the entireMASHsaga.“Goodbye Radar” is where that character should have been left, with audiences getting to imagine what Walter’s life was like when he went back home. Radar’s spinoff appearances spoiled that, but considering how little cultural impact they’ve actually left, most viewers probably forgot they even happened.
MAS*H
Cast
MAS*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
AfterMASH
AfterMASH is a spin-off of the television series MAS*H, featuring Colonel Potter, Klinger, and Father Mulcahy as they adjust to civilian life following the Korean War, working together at a stateside veterans' hospital.
