Being one of the key characters of the sitcom, Gary Burghoff’s exit from one of the most popular sitcoms M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital), sure came as a shocker for the viewers. Soon after his departure, fans missed his warm, friendly, innocent character on the show, with still some hopes tied to his comeback in the near future.
According to the explanation for Radar’s departure, he was granted a hardship discharge so he could return to the family farm and assist his mother in the wake of his uncle’s passing. But what prompted the actor to leave Mash despite being one of the most loved characters?
Why Did Radar Leave Mash?
Prioritizing his family over everything, Gary Burghoff, who essayed the character Walter Radar O’Reilly left the war sitcom after the 7th season. Burghoff cited that he had been experiencing burnout and wanted to get back to his family. However, Burghoff came back the following year to record a special two-part goodbye episode called “Goodbye Radar.”
Burghoff, apparently, was also facing issues with his married life, as revealed by Director Charles Dublin. “He was having trouble with his wife at the time,” Charles said in an interview. In the same interview, Charles added that they shot the “Goodbye Radar” episode in which Radar fell in love with a character he had to bid farewell to, and Burghiff “couldn’t go on.”
“In the script, he was talking about a future with her, possibly, [which] related to his own domestic problems. I think that was a large part of it,” Charles said. Besides family issues, Burghoff also struggled with his health and often showed up late at the set.
Although fans were excited to see Radar make a comeback with the spin-off of the series called W*A*L*T*E*R, CBS decided not to proceed with it post the pilot episode was released.
What Is M*A*S*H?
M*A*S*H was an 11-season American television dramedy that ran on CBS from 1972 to 1983. It was based on the Robert Altman-directed movie of the same name from 1970. M*A*S*H, which was filmed in South Korea during the Korean War, focused on the medical team who attended to the injured in a mobile army surgical hospital.
The program had high ratings and favorable reviews, and the last episode attracted the biggest television episode viewership to date. Throughout its run, M*A*S*H earned 14 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.
The American war comedy-drama television series aired on CBS from September 17, 1972, to February 28, 1983. Based on the Novel by Richard Hooker and W. C. Heinz, the drama series was the adaption of a fictional U.S. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Korea during the Korean War.
If you haven’t watched this light-hearted masterpiece of a sitcom, you can stream it on Disney Plus.
Have you watched any episode of one of the longest-running American sitcoms? If you have, who was your favorite character after Radar? Do you think the spin-off drama ‘Walter’ had the potential to become a success? Comment down your views below!
Source: Television Academy Foundation