Mike Farrell "M*A*S*H"
4/20/20261 hr 8 min
Mike Farrell joins Still Here Hollywood to talk about his unforgettable role as BJ Hunnicutt on MASH*, one of the most beloved television shows of all time.
From the moment he landed the role to the emotional final episode that still holds the record for most-watched scripted television broadcast, Farrell shares what it was really like behind the scenes.
He opens up about his close bond with Alan Alda, the collaborative culture that made the show so special, and the powerful themes that made MASH* more than just a comedy.
Farrell also reflects on his life beyond Hollywood, including the personal experiences that shaped his activism and worldview.
This is a conversation about legacy, purpose, and what it means to do work that truly matters.
00:00 Intro
00:50 Landing MASH*
04:30 Getting the role
08:30 First day on set
10:00 The MASH* finale legacy
11:00 Creative process on the show
12:15 Why he doesn’t watch it now
14:30 Wayne Rogers story
29:00 Alan Alda and on-set chemistry
33:00 Life-changing personal experience
38:00 War and comedy balance
39:30 Challenging the writers
46:30 The controversial BJ storyline
49:00 Favorite episode
52:00 Final goodbye and male friendship
53:30 Ending the series
57:00 Final episode moment
1:03:00 What brings him joy
Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSteve Kmetko· Host0:00
[instrumental music] Yes, I'm still here, Hollywood. Coming up on today's episode, [air whooshing] he stepped into one of the most beloved shows in television history, and didn't just fill impossible shoes, he made the role entirely his own. Off-screen, he became just as known for speaking out, producing meaningful work, and never staying quiet when it mattered. This is Still Here, Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join me with today's guest from MASH, actor Mike Farrell. Hello, Mike.
Mike Farrell· Guest0:31
Hi.
Steve Kmetko· Host0:32
Welcome to Still Here, Hollywood.
Mike Farrell· Guest0:34
Thank you very much.
Steve Kmetko· Host0:35
Nice of you to stop by.
Mike Farrell· Guest0:36
It's nice of you to invite me.
Steve Kmetko· Host0:37
Oh, please. Um, like for so many people, uh, you were a part of my television habit.
Mike Farrell· Guest0:47
[laughs] That's nice.
Steve Kmetko· Host0:49
Uh, you and MASH. [laughs] Tell me about the moment you found out you were joining MASH. What went through your mind? Do you remember?
Mike Farrell· Guest0:55
Oh, yeah. A- a- actually, there's a story that leads up to that, if you don't mind.
Steve Kmetko· Host1:01
No, I don't mind at all.
Mike Farrell· Guest1:01
I was under contract at Universal Studio after doing a show there with Tony Quinn, and, uh, that show failed, and, uh, I was still under contract, and they were trying to find something for me to do. And a friend, um, called me and said, "Why don't we have dinner?" And I said, "Sure. Sure." And, uh, [laughs] we, uh... Uh, I,