Syracuse (WSYR-TV/ABC News) – 30 years ago today, the world said goodbye to a beloved television mainstay.
The
series M*A*S*H premiered on Sept. 17, 1972. The series followed the exploits of a military medical personnel during the Korean War with and featured iconic characters including Hawkeye Pierce, Hotlips Houlihan, BJ Hunnicut, Col. Potter, Winchester, and Clinger.
The show struggled in its ratings in the first season and was nearly canceled, but it went on to win eight Golden Globes, six People’s Choice Awards, and 14 Emmys.
When its series finale aired on Feb. 28, 1983, it had set a record for the most-watched show in TV history.
The final episode was seen by 105.97 million viewers, a record that stood until the 2010 Super Bowl.
To learn more about M*A*S*H or to relive moments from the series, visit
ABCNews.go.com.
