Matches in DBpedia 2014 for { ?s ?p "Abyssinia, Henry" is the 72nd episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and the final episode of the series' third season. First aired on March 18, 1975, and written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, the highly rated episode was most notable for its shocking and unexpected ending. The plot of the episode centers on the honorable discharge and subsequent departure of the 4077th MASH's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson).The title of the episode refers to "Abyssinia" used as a slang term for "goodbye" in the 1920s and 1930s when Abyssinia was the name for the country now called Ethiopia. But when spoken quickly, "Abyssinia" becomes "ah-be-seein'-ya." Thus, "Abyssinia" is used in place of "I'll be seeing you." This slang was frequently used by the Henry Blake character throughout his years on the show.The highly controversial ending to the episode directed by Larry Gelbart, which has since been referenced and parodied many times, prompted an estimated 1,000-plus letters to series producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart, and drew fire from both CBS and 20th Century Fox.After the production of this episode, both Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, who played the character of Trapper John McIntyre, left the series to pursue other interests; while Stevenson's departure was announced prior to and written into "Abyssinia, Henry", Rogers unexpectedly left the series during the break between Seasons Three and Four, and so his character's departure takes place off-screen in the following (first of the fourth season) episode, "Welcome to Korea". These combined departures and their subsequent replacements also signaled the beginning of a major shift in focus of the M*A*S*H series as a whole with story and script focus emphasizing the character of Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda.. }
Showing items 1 to 1 of
1
with 100 items per page.
- Abyssinia,_Henry abstract ""Abyssinia, Henry" is the 72nd episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and the final episode of the series' third season. First aired on March 18, 1975, and written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, the highly rated episode was most notable for its shocking and unexpected ending. The plot of the episode centers on the honorable discharge and subsequent departure of the 4077th MASH's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson).The title of the episode refers to "Abyssinia" used as a slang term for "goodbye" in the 1920s and 1930s when Abyssinia was the name for the country now called Ethiopia. But when spoken quickly, "Abyssinia" becomes "ah-be-seein'-ya." Thus, "Abyssinia" is used in place of "I'll be seeing you." This slang was frequently used by the Henry Blake character throughout his years on the show.The highly controversial ending to the episode directed by Larry Gelbart, which has since been referenced and parodied many times, prompted an estimated 1,000-plus letters to series producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart, and drew fire from both CBS and 20th Century Fox.After the production of this episode, both Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, who played the character of Trapper John McIntyre, left the series to pursue other interests; while Stevenson's departure was announced prior to and written into "Abyssinia, Henry", Rogers unexpectedly left the series during the break between Seasons Three and Four, and so his character's departure takes place off-screen in the following (first of the fourth season) episode, "Welcome to Korea". These combined departures and their subsequent replacements also signaled the beginning of a major shift in focus of the M*A*S*H series as a whole with story and script focus emphasizing the character of Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda.".