Alan Alda also introduced as Alda's co-star BJ Hunnicutt. In his 1981 autobiography, Jackie Cooper (who directed several early episodes) wrote that Alda concealed a lot of hostility beneath the surface, and that the two of them barely spoke to each other by the time Cooper's directing of "M*A*S*H" ended. During his "M*A*S*H" years, Alda made several game-show appearances, most notably in "The $10,000 Pyramid" and as a frequent panelist on "What's My Line?" and "To Tell the Truth". His favorite episodes of "M*A*S*H" are "Dear Sigmund" and "In Love and War". In 1996, Alda was ranked 41st on "TV Guide"'s "50
Alan Alda left the series, Alda gained increasing control, and by the final seasons had become a producer and creative consultant. Under his watch, "M*A*S*H" retained its comedic foundation, but gradually assumed a somewhat more serious tone, openly addressing political issues. As a result, the 11 years of "M*A*S*H" are generally split into two eras: the Larry Gelbart/Gene Reynolds "comedy" years (1972–1977), and the Alan Alda "dramatic" years (1977–1983). Alda disagreed with this assessment. In a 2016 interview he stated, "I don't like to write political messages. I don't like plays that have political messages. I do not think I am responsible