M*A*S*H (TV series) debut of the Charles Winchester era. Whereas Gelbart and Reynolds were the comedic voice of "M*A*S*H" for the show's first five seasons (1972–1977), Alan Alda and newly promoted Executive Producer Burt Metcalfe became the new dramatic voice of "M*A*S*H" for Seasons 6–11. By the start of Season 8 (1979–1980), the writing staff had been completely overhauled, and with the departure of Gary Burghoff, "M*A*S*H" displayed a distinctively different feel, consciously moving between comedy and drama, unlike the seamless integration of its first five years. The end of the Vietnam War in 1975 was a significant factor as to why storylines
Fallen Idol (M*A*S*H) Radar's Grape Nehi. The episode closes with another unusually formal event involving Radar and Hawkeye. The Army has decided to award Radar the Purple Heart due to his injury, and Hawkeye presents it to him. After pinning in on him, Hawkeye gives a salute to the company clerk, something he rarely does and jokingly tells him not to get hurt again. Fallen Idol (M*A*S*H) "Fallen Idol" is the third episode of the sixth season of the American situation comedy-series "M*A*S*H" (after the two-part "Fade Out, Fade In") and its 125th overall. The episode aired on CBS on September 27, 1977