Fallen Idol (M*A*S*H) 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 and is the first episode where the character of Frank Burns does not play a part in (although Larry Linville, the actor who played Burns, left the series at the end of the fifth season, the character was used in "Fade Out, Fade In", where an unseen and unheard Frank was making a phone call to Col. Sherman Potter). Radar O'Reilly
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