I think the show really went downhill after Trapper John, Frank and Henry left. To me, Henry was the most likeable of the major characters and Frank added comedy that none of the other characters could ever match. And after Trapper left he was replaced with just another preachy left wing libtard like Pierce. I liked Col. Potter, but not as much as Henry. I remember one episode where George Lindsey (Goober from the Andy Griffith Show) was brought in from another MASH unit and he was hilarious. It's too bad the show didn't keep him on as a regular.

Yes I am a huge fan of MASH as well! It is a shame that Hallmark Channel removed MASH from its programming. I loved to watch it late at night as well. He was great as Frank Burns and always cracked me up!
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You are so right. He was indeed underappreciated. There aren't too many actors who would want to pay a character like Frank Burns. And Larry did it with class. May he rest in peace.

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"I think it would have been very contrived and silly if Frank became a mini version of Hawkeyeit simply wouldn't fit."
I never said I wanted him to be a good person or a mini-Hawkeye. He should have been more rounded with good points; e.g. Winchester after Burn's left.
"Jai Guru Deva, Om"

Actually I wasn't much of a fan of Frank Burns; he needed more character and good points. I can see why he left the show.

Larry never wanted Frank to evolve into a good person. When interviewed, Linville indicated that he was often asked as to why Frank wasn't more kind, generous, decent, caring, etc
and Linvilles' response wasWell, what do you want Frank to be? Alan Alda.
Linville was against Franks growth as a person which is why I loved the character. Frank was who he was, just like Hawkeye was completely compassionate, Frank was completely patriotic and military.
Linville left because he said that he did all he could with the character of Frank.
I think it would have been very contrived and silly if Frank became a mini version of Hawkeyeit simply wouldn't fit.

Actually I wasn't much of a fan of Frank Burns; he needed more character and good points. I can see why he left the show.
"Jai Guru Deva, Om"

I agree 100%!!!!
Larry Linvill was so so talented! And Frank's antics were pure joy to watch.
Its a credit to Mr. Linville's ability as an actorif he was so likeable in real life but on the show everyone hated his character.
That is a sign of a great actor.
I also really thought Gary Burghoff was exceptional too as Radar. Radar was such a loving, decent character.
He always makes me cry when he tells everyone that Henry died.

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Actually, he did. Though Larry Linville had left the show, in the first episode of season six, his character is described as going on a nutty rapmage in Tokyo. All the while pining for Margaret. He's finally shipped back stateside, assigned to a VA hospital and promoted to Lt. Col. Frank Burns.
This is just like the original novel when after Burns assaults Hawkeye (a scene duplicated in the original movie), he's shipped back stateside and promoted to Major (Burns in the original novel was a captain).
He would appear as Major Burns in one more book in the twelve book MASH series; "MASH Goes to Las Vegas", where Hawkeye, Trapper, Duke and Spearchucker encounter him (and Hot Lips, though not together)at a medical convention.

I thought Frank was terrific until Margaret's engagement. Those two characters totally needed each other to work right. I thought that Margaret continued to grow and become her "real self", but I slowly grew to dislike Major Burns in his last season; he became really hateful, bitter, and slightly insane IMO.
Larry was right in leaving the show after season five; Frank would have had to either made some major changes totally remaking his character (too unbelievable?) or ending up having a serious mental breakdown (too sad and tragic for the nature of the show?) Just my opinion.

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Larry Linville was probably the least like his "Frank Burns" TV character of everyone on MASH. He basically played someone that was the opposite of his real self.
This is completely true.
Anyone who was on MASH when Linville was there always says he was the nicest man ever, and the complete opposite of the character he portrayed.

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Hi
He was my favorite! Plus looking at his bio here, he was a very able and classically actor. he was great.
fritz

i agree. he was always the butt of all of the jokes and it always worked. he made the character so weasel-like but also loveable at the same time.

Agree,he played the role to perfection..M.a.s.h wasnt the same once he left.His character is a dislikable one but yet you did enjoy him doing his thing,he had great chemistry with Alan Alda as Hawkeye.Frank Burns and Radar were the best in my opinion.

That was probably one of the harder characters to do, and he did it brilliantly. The "Frank Burns" character could have been an "ugly" character. He could have easily been offensive to the audience, but Larry Linville played it perfectly.
Larry Linville was probably the least like his "Frank Burns" TV character of everyone on MASH. He basically played someone that was the opposite of his real self.
I recall someone saying that on a MASH reunion show.