Showtime (M*A*S*H)

Did You Know?

• John Orchard appeared as Ugly John in this episode, marking the last appearance of that character; Orchard later appeared in the 1979 episode "Captains Outrageous" as a different character.
• The Miller Sisters were played by Marilyn King, Jean Turrell and Joan Lucksinger.
• Jackie Flash was played by Joey Forman.

Plot

A USO show at the 4077th features stand-up comic Jackie Flash and female singing trio The Miller Sisters, augmented by backup band Charlie Keller and His Claire-de-Lunatics. The performance is juxtaposed with everyday camp scenes. Henry's wife gives birth to a son; Henry is depressed about missing the birth, but Radar cheers him by arranging for a laundry worker to let him hold her baby. The camp dentist receives discharge orders and takes great care to avoid injury, only to crash his jeep and end up in traction. Frank plays practical jokes on Hawkeye, sabotaging the still, causing a bucket of water to fall, and rigging the showerheads. Hawkeye gets revenge by collapsing the officers' latrine tent on Frank.

Production notes

Structurally similar to "Dear Dad" and "Dear Dad...Again," the episode lacks a conventional linear narrative. It uses moments from the USO show, styled like Bob Hope's shows, to contrast the ugliness of war with the fluff of the performances. During the band's performance, Radar launches into a drum solo; this was an actual live performance by Gary Burghoff, who had experience as a drummer. He suggested the scene as homage to jazz drummer Gene Krupa, who allowed Burghoff to use his drum kit.