1981-82: THE TENTH SEASON

Year-End Rating: 22.3 (10th place)

Stories in the tenth year again focus on the personalities of the central characters, who are forced, by the thinning plot lines, to explore situations that range from the mundane--poker games, petty thefts, and toothaches--to the bizarre: one episode actually revolves around a billygoat's consumption of a $22,000 army payroll.

The creative staff for the final two seasons includes John Rappaport, now the supervising producer; and Thad Mumford, Dan Wilcox, and Dennis Koenig, the new producers. Elias Davis and David Pollack are the executive script consultants, and Karen Hall is story editor in the tenth year, and executive story editor for the final season.

215 That's Show Biz (one hour)    First Aired: October 26, 1981
Writers: Elias Davis, David Pollack
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Gwen Verdon, Gail Edwards, Danny Dayton, Karen Landry, Amanda McBroom

A touring USO show brings an unexpected touch of vaudeville to the 4077th when the star showgirl requires an emergency operation.

216 Identity Crisis    First Aired: November 2, 1981
Writers: Dan Wilcox, Thad Mumford
Director:David Ogden Stiers
Guest Stars: Dirk Blocker, Squire Fridell, Joe Pantoliano

Father Mulcahy counsels a GI who is plagued by guilt.

217 Rumor at the Top    First Aired: November 9, 1981
Writers: David Pollack, Elias Davis
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Nicholas Pryor, Jeff Maxwell, Roy Goldman

The latest scuttlebutt affects everyone's behavior when a visiting emissary is rumored to be recruiting for a new M*A*S*H unit.

218 Give 'Em Hell, Hawkeye    First Aired: November 16, 1981
Writers: Dennis Koenig
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Stefan Gierasch, Ed Vasgersian, Tom Kindle

Hawkeye writes a heartfelt letter to President Harry Truman to protest the continued fighting in Korea.

219 Wheelers and Dealers    First Aired: November 23, 1981
Writers: Dan Wilcox, Thad Mumford
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Anthony Charnota, Tony Becker, Chris Petersen

On the eve of a big poker game, B.J.'s pride is bruised when he finds out that his wife is working as a waitress; and Potter takes driving lessons from Klinger.

220 Communication Breakdown    First Aired: November 30, 1981
Writer: Karen L. Hall
Director:Alan Alda
Guest Stars: James Saito, Byron Chung, Abby Nelson

Winchester infuriates the camp when he hoards his Stateside newspapers; and Hawkeye reunites two Korean brothers who have been fighting on opposite sides of the war.

221 Snap Judgment (Part 1)    First Aired: December 7, 1981
Writer: Paul Perlove
Director:Hy Averback
Guest Star: Peter Hobbs

The military police think they've solved a rash of thefts at the 4077th when they apprehend Klinger with Hawkeye's stolen camera.

222 Snappier Judgment (Part 2)    First Aired: December 14, 1981
Writer: Paul Perlove
Director:Hy Averback
Guest Star: Peter Hobbs

B.J. and Hawkeye resolve to clear Klinger's name after he chooses Winchester to defend him at his military court-martial.

223 'Twas the Day After Christmas    First Aired: December 28, 1981
Writers: David Pollack, Elias Davis
Director:Burt Metcalfe
Guest Stars: Michael Ensign, Leo Lewis, Val Bisoglio

To boost post-Yuletide morale on December 26, Potter has the officers and enlisted men exchange jobs for the day.

224 Follies of the Living--Concerns of the Dead     First Aired: January 4, 1982
Writer: Alan Alda
Director:Alan Alda
Guest Stars: Kario Salem, Randall Patrick, Jeff Tyler

In a fever dream, Klinger communicates with the spirit of a dead soldier who stays on to witness his own last rites.

225 The Birthday Girls    First Aired: January 11, 1982
Writer: Karen L. Hall
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Jerry Fujikawa, Kellye Nakahara

Margaret's birthday plans are spoiled when she and Klinger get stranded on a desolate roadside; and the surgeons assist in the delivery of a calf.

226 Blood and Guts    First Aired: January 18, 1982
Writer: Lee H. Grant
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Gene Evans, Brett Cullen, Stoney Jackson

Hawkeye is outraged when a sensationalistic war correspondent reports irresponsible GI stunts as tales of military valor.

227 A Holy Mess    First Aired: February 1, 1982
Writers: Elias Davis, David Pollack
Director:Burt Metcalfe
Guest Stars: Cyril O'Reilly, David Graf, Val Bisoglio

An AWOL officer seeks sanctuary behind Father Mulcahy's robes.

228 The Tooth Shall Set You Free    First Aired: February 8, 1982
Writers: Elias Davis, David Pollack
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Tom Atkins, Jason Bernard, John Fujioka, Larry Fishburne

Charles faces a tooth extraction; and the doctors suspect prejudice when an inordinate number of black casualties are brought in from a single unit.

229 Pressure Points    First Aired: February 15, 1982
Writer: David Pollack
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: Allan Arbus, John O'Connell, Gene Pietragallo, William Rogers, Roy Goldman

Potter sends for the Army psychiatrist when he loses confidence in his own surgical abilities; and Winchester loses patience with his bunkmates' sloppiness.

230 Where There's a Will, There's a War    First Aired: February 22, 1982
Writers: Elias Davis, David Pollack
Director:Alan Alda
Guest Stars: Dennis Howard, Larry Ward, Jim Borelli, James Emery

Hawkeye draws up a will under heavy shelling at the front lines.

231 Promotion Commotion    First Aired: March 1, 1982
Writer: Dennis Koenig
Director:Charles S. Dubin
Guest Stars: John Matuszak, Jim Reid Boyce, Deborah Harmon, Cameron Dye, Richard Fullerton

Winchester, Pierce, and Hunnicut find themselves in the sticky position of having to decide which enlisted men to recommend for promotion.

232 Heroes    First Aired: March 15, 1982
Writers: Thad Mumford, Dan Wilcox
Director:Nell Cox
Guest Stars: Pat McNamara, Earl Boen, Britt Leach, Matthew Faison

Hawkeye is the golden boy of the world press when he treats a celebrity prize fighter for a stroke.

233 Sons and Bowlers    First Aired: March 22, 1982
Writers: Elias Davis, David Pollack
Director:Hy Averback
Guest Stars: Dick O'Neill, William Lucking, Roger Hampton

Hawkeye anxiously awaits word on his father's Stateside operation as his cohorts engage the Marines in a bowling tournament.

234 Picture This    First Aired: April 5, 1982
Writer: Karen L. Hall
Director:Burt Metcalfe
Guest Stars: John Fujioka, Jeff Maxwell

Potter's attempts to assemble the crew for a family portrait are thwarted by a feud between bunkmates Pierce, Hunnicut, and Winchester.

235 That Darn Kid    First Aired: April 12, 1982
Writer: Karen L. Hall
Director:David Ogden Stiers
Guest Stars: George Presnell, John P. Ryan, Tom Kindle

Klinger's goat eats the 4077th's $22,000 payroll, leaving paymaster Hawkeye holding the bag.