One Character Appeared in Every ‘MAS*H’ Show Spinoff

The success of the greater M*A*S*H franchise lies in its ability to build on what came before. CBS’s 11-season dramedy proved to be a winning formula and led to several spinoffs. However, only one character linked all versions of this wartime series. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce but Radar O’Reilly.

Airing from 1972 to 1983, CBS’s M*A*S*H is an adaptation of Richard Hooker’s 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, which also became a feature film before making its way to television. The timelines diverge somewhat between the film and TV show, but the expanded universe centered around the show has only Radar, played by Gary Burghoff, as the sole constant in this turbulent world.

Gary Burghoff’s portrayal of Radar is the only character to appear in all the spinoffs of the show ‘M*A*S*H’. Despite Alan Alda appearing in every episode of M*A*S*H, Burghoff’s Radar uniquely bridges the gap between the multiple incarnations of the series.

Across over a decade of historic television, M*A*S*H aired 256 episodes, even causing city plumbing issues during its finale. Among the small number of actors who appeared in all episodes, Alan Alda reigns supreme, although Loretta Swit, who played Margaret Houlihan, is a close second with 239 episodes.

But which character transcends both storytelling mediums and cast changes? As CBS aimed to capture the magic of the original M*A*S*H series in its spinoffs, it was Radar who became the thread linking them all.

Despite his ubiquitous presence in M*A*S*H, Alda’s Hawkeye doesn’t feature in every spinoff. Burghoff’s Radar, however, does. Many cast members who helped keep M*A*S*H alive joined the spinoff AfterMASH, facilitating much-anticipated character reunions and giving fans the closure they yearned for.

Radar remained a beloved character, which motivated CBS to greenlight another spinoff, W*A*L*T*E*R, a solo series centered around Radar. Unfortunately, this project didn’t gain traction. A failed pilot illustrated that this venture wasn’t viable, and the show quietly faded away.

Radar’s unique distinction comes from one technicality: Trapper John, MD is actually a spinoff of the film, not the universe established by the TV show. Screen Rant mentions that this differentiation was necessary to avoid legal complications, ensuring lines were clearly drawn between the two universes.

So, what is your favorite version of M*A*S*H in all its forms?