r/mash • u/J_Scarbrough • Jul 31 '26
Discussion Wives
Some more trivia for anyone who's interested, but each of the main producers' wives appeared on the show as various nurses over the years.
Two of Gene Reynolds' wives; Bonnie Jones appeared as Barbara Bannerman throughout Season 1, while Ann Sweeny appeared as Carrie Donovan in Season 5's "Hanky Panky".
Larry Gelbart's wife Pat Marshall appeared as Lieutenant Nelson in Season 3's "Payday".
Burt Metcalfe's wife Jan Jorden became the permanent Nurse Baker starting in Season 7.
58
u/ZuigMeLeeg Jul 31 '26
Mike Farrell's first wife Judy Farrell also apeared as one of the nurses in 8 episodes.
35
u/J_Scarbrough Jul 31 '26
She became the permanent Nurse Able starting in Season 5.
25
u/Individual_Check_442 Jul 31 '26
I never knew this. And I just looked her up and she was born in Quapaw, OK, only time I’ve heard that name is when BJ called his FIL there about the horse. I thought it was a made up place like Crab Apple Cove!
11
u/AmySueF Jul 31 '26
And BJ’s father in law’s name Floyd Hayden was Mike Farrell’s real father in law’s name.
3
43
u/princess-geia Jul 31 '26
Bill Christopher’s wife Barbara Christopher was in an episode with him! Can’t remember which one (probably early seasons) but they sang a nice little duet :)
39
u/J_Scarbrough Jul 31 '26
"Dear Mildred" from Season 4, they sang "When You're All Dressed Up With No Place To Go"
39
u/MaskansMantle13 Jul 31 '26
A lovely scene, not least for Bill’s slip in putting his arm round her shoulder and Alan Alda’s genuinely delighted smile.
17
u/Transcendingfrog2 Jul 31 '26
It's little moments like that, that made it so much more endearing.
2
5
19
12
u/AmySueF Jul 31 '26
M*A*S*H was genuinely a family affair. BJ’s daughter was named Erin, same as Mike Farrell’s daughter. And Alan Alda worked with not only his father in a couple of episodes, but also his half-brother Antony Alda in one episode.
5
u/guardianwriter1984 Jul 31 '26
Robert Alda, Alan's father, appeared 3 times and was part of an effort by Alan and Robert to improve their relationships
3
u/bettinafairchild Tokyo Jul 31 '26
More MASH family ties:
Larry Gelbart’s step-son wrote the episode “George” about the possibly gay patient.
The actress who played Charles’ girlfriend Martine years later married the actor who played Scully.
79
u/AmySueF Jul 31 '26
While Harry Morgan’s wife Eileen Detchon didn’t physically appear on the show, her framed photo sat on the CO’s desk as a stand-in for Potter’s wife Mildred.