Probably — no, definitely — the best TV series to come out of the USA has been Mash — the series set in Korea during the war, which lasted from June 1950 to July 1953. It was an appalling conflict in which 37,000 Americans were killed along with 3,727 soldiers and airmen from 16 other countries including, even 2 from Luxembourg. These staggering numbers are dwarfed by the numbers of combatants killed from the Republic of [South] Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of [North] Korea, which together exceeded 350,000. Add to these another 400,000 dead from China and the USSR plus 2.5 million civilians killed and wounded. The magnitude of the slaughter is now almost forgotten and yet, like so often, the conflict ends with a fudge.
How could a comedy series be set amidst such slaughter. It was and it was very successful and became a powerful anti-war drama-documentary. It was detested by the right-wing establishment and by the military because it was so anti-war.
I have watched many of episodes of every series and enjoyed it immensely. It succeeded not least because it had such a strong cast. I do not wish to diminish any of the actors but the performances of Harry Morgan as Colonel Potter were superb. I am moved to comment on this magnificent series now because, yesterday, Harry Morgan died at his home in California of pneumonia at the grand age of 96. RIP Harry, you gave us all a great deal of pleasure.
In spite of the fact that Mash was on TV nearly 40 years ago, almost all the main actors are still alive; not necessarily still acting but still busy.
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