As Time Goes By (M*A*S*H) As Time Goes By (M*A*S*H) "As Time Goes By" is the 255th episode of "M*A*S*H", airing on February 21 (first-run) and September 12 (repeat), 1983, and the last episode filmed. As it was the final episode filmed they took a moment to pay tribute to the characters (except for Trapper John McIntyre) who had left the series before its conclusion. It also introduces the character of Soon-Lee, who would play a vital role in the series' final episode and the short-lived spin-off "AfterMASH". The episode is dedicated to Connie Izay, RN, one of the show's medical advisors. Although this was
M*A*S*H (TV series) "M*A*S*H" finale aired in 1983, 83.3 million homes in the United States had televisions, compared to almost 115 million in February 2010. "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" broke the record for the highest percentage of homes with television sets to watch a television series. Stories persist that the episode was seen by so many people that the New York City Sanitation/Public Works Department reported the plumbing systems broke down in some parts of the city from so many New Yorkers waiting until the end to use the toilet. Articles copied into Alan Alda's book "The Last Days of M*A*S*H" include interviews