M*A*S*H Revisited

It's the 25th Anniversary of the last episode of M*A*S*H. The finale still holds the number one spot for the most watched program ever on American television. If you've never seen it, the Hallmark Channel is re-running it in early March.

I've only seen a handful of episodes, but the few I caught were sharp, clever and good humored, especially in the face of the subject matter.

Imagine a show in 2008 that took a look at the Vietnam War. With 1000 channels, the internet, apathy and general divisiveness, it wouldn't make it. It would get pushed onto CBS or A&E, left to rot on Friday or even worse Saturday nights. Without a gimmick or a special guest star, it probably wouldn't get picked up for the rest of its inaugural season. Too edgy. Not sexy enough. Too soon.

And it would be just fine, but there's nothing else like it anymore...yet. I'm holding out hope that people can fall in love with scripted television again. We're waiting on you Aaron Sorkin.

Smart TV? Says Who?

Because they weren't too busy solving the worlds problems, the geniuses (geni?) over at Mensa released their list of the 10 Smartest Shows of all Time.

Chairman of Mensa International Jim Werdell told the NY Post, "They tended to be shows that dealt with issues in the world and, from my perspective, that's considered smart."

That's all fine and good until you check out the list.

1. "M*A*S*H"
2. "Cosmos"
3. "CSI"
4. "House"
5. "The West Wing"
6. "Boston Legal"
7. "All in the Family"
8. "Frasier"
9. "Mad About You"
10. "Jeopardy!"

I don't know how Mad About You cracked the top 50, let alone the top 10. That's coming from a fan of the show no less. West Wing and M*A*S*H are superb choices that make the list at least a little bit legit.

Let's dish about who they left off.

• Sports Night
  
• Lost
• The Office (BBC)
• Arrested Development
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
  
• The Mole

There are so many others but the post would never end. If anyone thinks of anymore, please leave a comment. Not to knock Mensa as I'm sure they quantified every show ever and made that list, but while they were compiling and computing they forgot to watch some of the good stuff.