The Only M*A*S*H Quiz You Need to Take!

ENTERTAINMENT

By: Staff Writer

6 Min Quiz

Image: 20th Century Fox

About This Quiz

Do you feel like you know more about Trapper John, Hawkeye and Hot Lips Houlihan than you do about the members of your own family? Think you could fit right in with the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, treating patients injured on the battlefield? Take our quiz to prove how much you really know about the classic TV series "M*A*S*H"!

The Korean War sometimes gets glossed over in the history books because it didn't reach the scope of WWI or WWII, and didn't face the level of controversy associated with the Vietnam War. Despite this lack of attention, the three-year conflict took more than 35,000 American lives with more than 100,000 soldiers injured. 

One of the brave men working to save lives in Korea was a surgeon named Richard Hooker, who in 1968 wrote a book about his experiences on the battlefield. The novel inspired a TV movie, and eventually, a TV series called "M*A*S*H." The show ran from 1972 to 1983 and was popular with viewers up until the very end. In fact, 77 percent of the television-viewing audience tuned in to watch the 1983 season finale of the show.

Since then, the show has lived on in spinoffs and syndication, as viewers remain captivated by the series' ability to mix comedy with an unflinching look at the horrors of war. This duality was most obvious in some of the most memorable episodes — like the celebratory feel when Henry finally got his discharge papers, which quickly turned to shock when his plane was shot down later in the episode.

Ready to prove your "M*A*S*H" IQ? Take our quiz to show your skill!

Which actor played the main character Hawkeye Pierce in the TV show "M*A*S*H"?

Captain and chief surgeon Hawkeye Pierce was played by Alan Alda, who was the central character of the show. Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye in the movie.

Advertisement

What is Hawkeye Pierce's full name?

Captain and chief surgeon Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce is the lead character in "M*A*S*H."

Advertisement

What was head nurse Margaret Houlihan's nickname?

Major Houlihan, played by Loretta Swit, took on the nickname of Hot Lips.

Advertisement

Max Klinger, played by Jamie Farr, spent most of his run on the show trying to get home to which city?

Klinger went so far as to wear dresses to try to get himself sent home to Toledo, OH.

Advertisement

What happened to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake?

Henry Blake's character, played by McLean Stevenson, was discharged but died when his aircraft was shot down on his way home at the end of season 3.

Advertisement

Which of the surgeons on the show did Major Houlihan have a romantic relationship with?

Hot Lips had a romantic relationship with Major Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville. Frank leaves after season 5, and Hot Lips becomes engaged to marry Donald Penobscott.

Advertisement

What is Corporal Walter Eugene O'Reilly's nickname?

As company clerk, Radar O'Reilly has keen extrasensory perception, always appearing at his commander's side before being needed and able to hear incoming helicopters before anyone else does.

Advertisement

What was Radar O'Reilly known for keeping in his bed with him?

Radar's character went right from high school and into the Army, so the teddy bear was a bit of a symbol of his youth. The teddy bear sold in an auction in 2005 for $11,800.

Advertisement

What is B.J. Hunnicutt's real name?

B.J. is his real name based on all of the official paper work that Hawkeye can find. But we do find out that the B comes from his mother's name, Bea, and the J from his father's name, Jay.

Advertisement

Two years before appearing in "The Outsiders" and 10 years before "Point Break," this young member of the Brat Pack appeared on "M*A*S*H" as an injured soldier with a broken arm who is diagnosed with leukemia.

Patrick Swayze has a guest role in the episode called "Blood Brothers."

Advertisement

Who is the shell-shocked soldier from the 1973 episode "Deal Me Out" that would grow up to become Jack Tripper?

John Ritter was in one episode of "M*A*S*H," but only three years later began his run as Jack Tripper on "Three's Company."

Advertisement

What war is the setting for the TV show "M*A*S*H"?

The show is set during the Korean War, but the series started while the Vietnam War was still in progress.

Advertisement

What kind of device did Hawkeye and his tentmates build in their tent using medical supplies?

They built a still so they could have all the alcohol they cared to enjoy.

Advertisement

What does M*A*S*H stand for?

M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

Advertisement

What was Hawkeye's tent called?

Hawkeye's tent was called "The Swamp."

Advertisement

What was Radar's drink of choice?

Radar didn't drink alcohol, so he would always have a Grape Nehi.

Advertisement

Who were Hawkeye's tentmates?

All three, plus Charles Emerson Winchester III, lived in The Swamp with Hawkeye at various times throughout the series.

Advertisement

When did "M*A*S*H" first air?

The show first aired in 1972 and ran for 11 seasons. The Oscar-winning film was released in 1970.

Advertisement

What record did the series finale "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" break when it aired on February 28, 1983?

The series finale was the most-watched and highest-rated single television episode in U.S. television history at the time, with a record-breaking 125 million viewers.

Advertisement

What was the TV show "M*A*S*H" based on?

"M*A*S*H" was adapted from the 1970 feature film "MASH," which was based on the 1968 novel "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker.

Advertisement

What was John Patrick Francis Mulcahy's role in the show?

Father Mulcahy, played by George Morgan in the pilot episode and then by William Christoper in the remaining series, was the Chaplain.

Advertisement

John McIntyre, played by Wayne Rogers in seasons 1-3 of the show, went on to become the main character in what spinoff show in the '80s?

Trapper John served as chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital after returning home after the Korean War. Trapper John was played by Pernell Roberts in "Trapper John, M.D."

Advertisement

Mike Farrell, who played surgeon B.J. Hunnicutt, went on to be a different kind of doctor in a TV series later on in his career. What kind of doctor was it?

Mike Farrell went on to play Dr. James Hansen, a veterinarian, in the show "Providence," which starred Melina Kanakaredes as his daughter.

Advertisement

Who replaced Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake as commanding officer of the 4077th?

Frank Burns was temporarily the commanding officer of the unit until Sherman Potter, played by Harry Morgan, arrived and took over for seasons 4-11.

Advertisement

Frank Burns was replaced by Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, played by David Ogden Stiers. What were his defining characteristics?

Charles Winchester III is born in Boston and is considered a "blue blood." He is tall, stocky, and losing his hair. He is well-respected as a surgeon, but his snobbish attitude doesn't win him many friends.

Advertisement

Pat Morita, who played character Captain Sam Pak of the Republic of Korea Army in two episodes, is most known for which other role?

Pat Morita taught young Daniel in "The Karate Kid" and was also well known for his role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on "Happy Days."

Advertisement

Why does the title song of the show, "Suicide is Painless," not have any lyrics?

The song was written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman, the 15-year-old son of Robert Altman, the director of the M*A*S*H movie. The producers felt the lyrics weren't appropriate for the TV series but they used an entirely instrumental version for the opening and closing credits.

Advertisement

Which star of "The Matrix" trilogy appeared in the episode called "The Tooth Shall Set You Free," in which the M*A*S*H surgeons learn from a wounded soldier​ that a racist commander is sending African-American soldiers into dangerous duty?

Laurence Fishburne appeared in the season 10 episode. He also appeared in an episode of "Trapper John, M.D." And interestingly, his Matrix costar, Joe Pantoliano, also appeared both on "M*A*S*H" and "Trapper John, M.D."

Advertisement

Which often considered controversial stand-up comic was only 25 when he appeared in the 1982 Halloween episode called "Trick or Treatment"?

Andrew Dice Clay played drunken Marine Corporal Hrabosky who was injured after challenging fellow drunken marines to a motorbike race. This was his first acting role.

Advertisement

George Wendt, better known as Norm from "Cheers," also appeared in the episode "Trick or Treatment." What did his character get stuck in his mouth and need to receive medical help for?

Private LaRoche put a pool ball in his mouth as a joke, but then it got stuck! Winchester had to help him get it out. Shelley Long, better known as Diane from "Cheers," was also a guest star in a "M*A*S*H" episode called "Bottle Fatigue" in 1980.

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.