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Rank 111Up 1
#11 in Sitcoms
of 16 ranked entries
M*A*S*H
Larry Gelbart · 1972–1983
Gelbart smuggled a genuine anti-war argument into a laugh-tracked network comedy by setting it during Korea while clearly meaning Vietnam, and the tonal whiplash between jokes and operating-table grief still lands. Recorded specifics: premiered 1972, creator Larry Gelbart, seasons 11. Panel highlighted balances a genuine anti-war argument with real jokes, an ensemble that survived multiple cast overhauls and the finale remains one of the most-watched broadcasts ever. The reservation on record is eleven seasons outlasted the Korean War it depicts by nearly triple.
EnsembleMulti-camera
Score breakdown
How M*A*S*H earned 80.4
Each criterion is scored independently, then combined using the weights published on Sitcoms.
- Joke density & hit rateweight 30%
- 79.4
- Ensemble chemistryweight 25%
- 78.0
- Cultural impactweight 25%
- 83.0
- Rewatchabilityweight 20%
- 81.5
On the record
Recorded detail
| Premiered | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Creator | Larry Gelbart |
| Seasons | 11 |
| Rating | 8.4 |
Panel verdict
Strengths and reservations
What it gets right
- Balances a genuine anti-war argument with real jokes
- An ensemble that survived multiple cast overhauls
- The finale remains one of the most-watched broadcasts ever
Where it gives ground
- Eleven seasons outlasted the Korean War it depicts by nearly triple
1 appearance
Where this entry ranks
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Rank 07Parks and Recreation
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