Image: 20th Century Fox
About This Quiz
Do you feel like you know more about Trapper John, Hawkeye and Hot Lips Houlihan than you do about the members of your own family? Think you could fit right in with the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, treating patients injured on the battlefield? Take our quiz to prove how much you really know about the classic TV series "M*A*S*H"!
The Korean War sometimes gets glossed over in the history books because it didn't reach the scope of WWI or WWII, and didn't face the level of controversy associated with the Vietnam War. Despite this lack of attention, the three-year conflict took more than 35,000 American lives with more than 100,000 soldiers injured.Â
One of the brave men working to save lives in Korea was a surgeon named Richard Hooker, who in 1968 wrote a book about his experiences on the battlefield. The novel inspired a TV movie, and eventually, a TV series called "M*A*S*H." The show ran from 1972 to 1983 and was popular with viewers up until the very end. In fact, 77 percent of the television-viewing audience tuned in to watch the 1983 season finale of the show.
Since then, the show has lived on in spinoffs and syndication, as viewers remain captivated by the series' ability to mix comedy with an unflinching look at the horrors of war. This duality was most obvious in some of the most memorable episodes — like the celebratory feel when Henry finally got his discharge papers, which quickly turned to shock when his plane was shot down later in the episode.
Ready to prove your "M*A*S*H" IQ? Take our quiz to show your skill!
Which actor played the main character Hawkeye Pierce in the TV show "M*A*S*H"?
Alan Alda
Captain and chief surgeon Hawkeye Pierce was played by Alan Alda, who was the central character of the show. Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye in the movie.
Leslie Nielsen
Dick van Dyke
Donald Sutherland
What is Hawkeye Pierce's full name?
James Douglas
Joseph James
Harry Steven
Benjamin Franklin
Captain and chief surgeon Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye†Pierce is the lead character in "M*A*S*H."
What was head nurse Margaret Houlihan's nickname?
Hot Lips
Major Houlihan, played by Loretta Swit, took on the nickname of Hot Lips.
Honey
Sweet Cheeks
Nurse Ratchet
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Max Klinger, played by Jamie Farr, spent most of his run on the show trying to get home to which city?
Toledo, OH
Klinger went so far as to wear dresses to try to get himself sent home to Toledo, OH.
Dallas, TX
Orlando, FL
San Francisco, CA
What happened to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake?
He lost an arm when the M*A*S*H unit was hit by a bomb, and could no longer be a surgeon.
Nothing happened to him.
He was discharged and sent home.
Henry Blake's character, played by McLean Stevenson, was discharged but died when his aircraft was shot down on his way home at the end of season 3.
He was sent to another M*A*S*H unit.
Which of the surgeons on the show did Major Houlihan have a romantic relationship with?
Sherman Potter
Frank Burns
Hot Lips had a romantic relationship with Major Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville. Frank leaves after season 5, and Hot Lips becomes engaged to marry Donald Penobscott.
B.J. Hunnicutt
Father Mulcahy
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What is Corporal Walter Eugene O'Reilly's nickname?
Pee Wee
Corn Boy
Radar
As company clerk, Radar O'Reilly has keen extrasensory perception, always appearing at his commander's side before being needed and able to hear incoming helicopters before anyone else does.
Buddy
What was Radar O'Reilly known for keeping in his bed with him?
A teddy bear
Radar's character went right from high school and into the Army, so the teddy bear was a bit of a symbol of his youth. The teddy bear sold in an auction in 2005 for $11,800.
A woman
A blankie
His gun
What is B.J. Hunnicutt's real name?
B.J.
B.J. is his real name based on all of the official paper work that Hawkeye can find. But we do find out that the B comes from his mother's name, Bea, and the J from his father's name, Jay.
Bryan Jacob
Benjamin Junior
Bradley James
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Two years before appearing in "The Outsiders" and 10 years before "Point Break," this young member of the Brat Pack appeared on "M*A*S*H" as an injured soldier with a broken arm who is diagnosed with leukemia.
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze has a guest role in the episode called "Blood Brothers."
Rob Lowe
Emilio Estevez
Matt Dillon
Who is the shell-shocked soldier from the 1973 episode "Deal Me Out" that would grow up to become Jack Tripper?
Rob Reiner
Peter Falk
John Ritter
John Ritter was in one episode of "M*A*S*H," but only three years later began his run as Jack Tripper on "Three's Company."
Alec Baldwin
What war is the setting for the TV show "M*A*S*H"?
The Vietnam War
WWII
The Gulf War
The Korean War
The show is set during the Korean War, but the series started while the Vietnam War was still in progress.
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What kind of device did Hawkeye and his tentmates build in their tent using medical supplies?
A still
They built a still so they could have all the alcohol they cared to enjoy.
Bunk beds
A TV
A swing
What does M*A*S*H stand for?
Military Army Standing Hospital
Must Ask Someone for Help
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
What was Hawkeye's tent called?
The Octagon
The Swamp
Hawkeye's tent was called "The Swamp."
The Point of No Return
The House
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What was Radar's drink of choice?
Appletini
Vodka on the rocks
Beer
Grape Nehi
Radar didn't drink alcohol, so he would always have a Grape Nehi.
Who were Hawkeye's tentmates?
Frank Burns
Trapper John McIntyre
B. J. Hunnicutt
All of them
All three, plus Charles Emerson Winchester III, lived in The Swamp with Hawkeye at various times throughout the series.
When did "M*A*S*H" first air?
1972
The show first aired in 1972 and ran for 11 seasons. The Oscar-winning film was released in 1970.
1970
1980
1982
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What record did the series finale "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" break when it aired on February 28, 1983?
Longest-running TV show
First 2.5-hour TV episode
Ran the highest-paid commercial at the time
Was watched by more viewers than any other previous show
The series finale was the most-watched and highest-rated single television episode in U.S. television history at the time, with a record-breaking 125 million viewers.
What was the TV show "M*A*S*H" based on?
The creator's life
A book
"M*A*S*H" was adapted from the 1970 feature film "MASH," which was based on the 1968 novel "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker.
Nothing, it was a new idea
What was John Patrick Francis Mulcahy's role in the show?
Mechanic
Surgeon
Chaplain
Father Mulcahy, played by George Morgan in the pilot episode and then by William Christoper in the remaining series, was the Chaplain.
Clerk
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John McIntyre, played by Wayne Rogers in seasons 1-3 of the show, went on to become the main character in what spinoff show in the '80s?
"Trapper John, M.D."
Trapper John served as chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital after returning home after the Korean War. Trapper John was played by Pernell Roberts in "Trapper John, M.D."
"Dynasty"
"Matlock"
"Magnum P.I."
Mike Farrell, who played surgeon B.J. Hunnicutt, went on to be a different kind of doctor in a TV series later on in his career. What kind of doctor was it?
Proctologist
Psychologist
Cardiologist
Veterinarian
Mike Farrell went on to play Dr. James Hansen, a veterinarian, in the show "Providence," which starred Melina Kanakaredes as his daughter.
Who replaced Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake as commanding officer of the 4077th?
Hawkeye Pierce
Charles Emerson Winchester III
Sherman Potter
Frank Burns was temporarily the commanding officer of the unit until Sherman Potter, played by Harry Morgan, arrived and took over for seasons 4-11.
Margaret Houlihan
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Frank Burns was replaced by Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, played by David Ogden Stiers. What were his defining characteristics?
His bald head and snobbish accent
Charles Winchester III is born in Boston and is considered a "blue blood." He is tall, stocky, and losing his hair. He is well-respected as a surgeon, but his snobbish attitude doesn't win him many friends.
His colorful socks and always-dirty hat
His funny jokes and handsome smile
His big nose and hairy legs
Pat Morita, who played character Captain Sam Pak of the Republic of Korea Army in two episodes, is most known for which other role?
Mr. Miyagi from "The Karate Kid"
Pat Morita taught young Daniel in "The Karate Kid" and was also well known for his role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on "Happy Days."
Captain Sao Feng from "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"
Chon Wang in "Shanghai Knights"
Master Li Mu Bai from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Why does the title song of the show, "Suicide is Painless," not have any lyrics?
None were ever written
The lyrics weren't appropriate for TV
The song was written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman, the 15-year-old son of Robert Altman, the director of the M*A*S*H movie. The producers felt the lyrics weren't appropriate for the TV series but they used an entirely instrumental version for the opening and closing credits.
There isn't enough time in the credits to play the lyrics
There are lyrics
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Which star of "The Matrix" trilogy appeared in the episode called "The Tooth Shall Set You Free," in which the M*A*S*H surgeons learn from a wounded soldier​ that a racist commander is sending African-American soldiers into dangerous duty?
Gloria Foster — The Oracle
Hugo Weaving — Agent Smith
Julian Arahanga — Apoc
Laurence Fishburne — Morpheus
Laurence Fishburne appeared in the season 10 episode. He also appeared in an episode of "Trapper John, M.D." And interestingly, his Matrix costar, Joe Pantoliano, also appeared both on "M*A*S*H" and "Trapper John, M.D."
Which often considered controversial stand-up comic was only 25 when he appeared in the 1982 Halloween episode called "Trick or Treatment"?
George Carlin
Johnny Carson
Eddie Murphy
Andrew Dice Clay
Andrew Dice Clay played drunken Marine Corporal Hrabosky who was injured after challenging fellow drunken marines to a motorbike race. This was his first acting role.
George Wendt, better known as Norm from "Cheers," also appeared in the episode "Trick or Treatment." What did his character get stuck in his mouth and need to receive medical help for?
A pool ball
Private LaRoche put a pool ball in his mouth as a joke, but then it got stuck! Winchester had to help him get it out. Shelley Long, better known as Diane from "Cheers," was also a guest star in a "M*A*S*H" episode called "Bottle Fatigue" in 1980.
A tongue depressor
A beer bottle
His hand
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You Got:
/30
20th Century Fox