What The Author Of The Book That Inspired M*A*S*H Really Thought About The Classic Sitcom

Renowned doctor Richard Hornberger, who created M*A*S*H, has spoken out about his disappointment with the show's anti-war message. In an interview, Hornberger revealed that he never intended for the show to convey such a strong anti-war sentiment, and that it was a major factor in his financial struggles.

Hornberger, who wrote the novel 'MASH' after serving as a doctor during the Korean War, was not pleased with how his story got told on TV. In an interview with UPI, he said, 'No one in their right mind would be pro-war, but I operated on a thousand or so wounded kids.' Hornberger's son, William, also expressed his father's disappointment with the show's liberal leanings.

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Creating M*A*S*H: A Doctor's Perspective

Hornberger's financial struggles began when he realized that his deal only paid him $500 per episode. The massive success of M*A*S*H made it one of the best TV shows based on a movie, but Hornberger sold the rights for far less than they were worth.

Hornberger's experience highlights the challenges of adapting a book into a successful TV show. While M*A*S*H became an iconic sitcom, its anti-war tone was a major point of contention for Hornberger.

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Despite his disappointment, Hornberger's legacy lives on through the show that bears his name. As the creator of M*A*S*H, he left an indelible mark on television history.

Financial Struggles and Selling Out

He later shared the decision ended up costing him millions because of how popular the show became, making it one of the best TV shows based on a movie .

He would later sell the rights to the "MASH" franchise, but for far less than it was likely worth.

It's not a stretch to call "M*A*S*H" one of the best sitcoms of all time . Not only was it wildly popular during its 11-season run, but it's held up over the years as well.

The show masterfully combined humor and drama to show what war was really about, using the Korean War to highlight what many in America felt about the Vietnam War. But not everyone who watched the show was a fan. In fact, one of the biggest critics of "M*A*S*H" was the man who created the idea in the first place.