A cartoonist remembers M*A*S*H, 30 years later

My new Pinterest page

On Saturday I started up my own page on Pinterest. This site has been gaining popularity over the past year or two. My page has photos of things that interest me. More items will be added over time. You can check it out at http://pinterest.com/donbarrie/.

My M*A*S*H Challenge, The Conclusion

Late last week, I achieved my goal of watching all 11 seasons and 251 episodes of M*A*S*H. I was able to do this in less than six months. The show that reminded us that war is hell, while making us laugh on occasion, has become one of my favourites.

Following from Part 2 of my blog series, here are my top episodes from the remaining six seasons:

Season 6: “Fade Out, Fade In” (1977)

The one-hour Season 6 opener introduces a new surgeon to the 4077, Maj. Charles E. Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers). The character was created for the series after Larry Linville, the actor who played Maj. Frank Burns, decided to leave following Season 5. It also signaled the series' transition from being a comedy-driven show to a serio-comical show, or dramedy.

Season 7: “Point of View” (1978)

One of the series’ most innovative episodes is seen from a wounded soldier’s point of view. What I also like about it is that it doesn’t contain an annoying laugh track!

Season 8: "Life Time" (1979)

Another innovate episode shows the surgical team frantically working to save the life of a severely injured soldier not far from the MASH unit. What makes this episode innovative is that most of the story is told in real time, with a clock ticking at the bottom right hand of the screen.

Season 9: "The Life You Save" (1981)

By Season 9, the series was starting to show its age. This season's finale is one of the stronger episodes from this late period. Winchester, who often appears self-centered and unapproachable, has a deep, spiritual experience when he is almost killed by a sniper. He then becomes obsessed with death, and starts talking to soldiers who have gone through near-death experiences.

Season 10: "Where There's a Will, There's a War" (1982)

Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is unable to leave an aid station due to heavy shelling. Fearing that he may not return alive, he starts making out his Last Will and Testament. Scenes with his co-workers and friends are shown as he makes his bequeaths.

Season 11: "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (1983)

The two-hour-plus series finale, directed and co-written by Alan Alda, is set in the final days of the Korean War. The main plot involves Hawkeye seeing psychiatrst Dr. Freedman (Allan Arbus) following a traumatic incident on a bus. Meanwhile, Klinger (Jamie Farr) helps a Korean woman look for her family, BJ (Mike Farrell) is discharged and an explosion gives Fr. Mulcahy (William Christopher) some hearing loss. There's also a story where Winchester teaches some North Korean musicians how to play classical music. The whole episode runs the gamut of emotions, and I'm satisfied with the series' conclusion. "Goodbye" still holds the record for being the most-watched TV show finale ever. (Coincidentally, the 30th anniversary of its initial broadcast is this Thursday, February 28.)

Honourable mentions include “The Merchant of Korea” (S6), “The Smell of Music” (S6), “The Party” (S7), “Rally 'Round the Flagg, Boys” (S7), "Inga" (S7), “Good-Bye Radar" (S8), "Dreams" (S8), "Blood Brothers" (S9), "Death Takes a Holiday" (S9), "Blood and Guts" (S10), "The Tooth Shall Set You Free" (S10) and "As Time Goes By" (S11).

My final M*A*S*H blog will focus on my thoughts on the series, along with the top 10 best episodes.

My 2013 Oscar predictions

Okay everybody, for the first time ever I am posting my Oscar predictions. These are the predictions I am making for the most popular categories in the 2013 Oscars airing this Sunday, February 24:

Best Picture: Argo

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Best Actress: Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

Best Director: Steven Spielberg, Lincoln

Best Original Song: "Skyfall" (Adele Adkins/Paul Epworth), Skyfall

Best Animated Feature: Wreck-it Ralph

I'm not putting any money down or taking part in any Oscar pools. I'd prefer to place a gentleman's bet instead.

The True Story of Kid President

What the Diamond Jubilee Medal means to me

TV personality George Stroumboulopoulos (left) presented me with the Diamond Jubilee Medal (Feb. 6, 2013)

Earlier this month, I was one of only a few Canadians to receive a Diamond Jubilee Medal. In my case, it was for my community involvement with disability organizations such as Lights Camera Access, a group that supports people with disabilities looking to work in the performing arts or in mainstream media.

The medal was issued as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60^th anniversary as the monarch of Britain and the British Commonwealth. The medal recognizes significant achievements and contributions made by Canadians during her Diamond Jubilee year. The year concluded this month with a final medal presentation at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.

It all began for me on New Year’s Day. A friend called me and said she had received a package addressed to her office with my name on it. It had the official seal from the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David Onley. Neither of us knew what it was for. I speculated it was an invitation to David Onley’s farewell gathering since his term as the Queen’s provincial representative is ending soon. (Onley is a renowned advocate for the disabled, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him several times over the years.)

Me with David Onley (left), Lieutenant Governor for the province of Ontario

The package came with an invitation to the final medal ceremony, along with a letter from the Lieutenant Governor. The letter said I would be presented with this medal. When I read it through the first time I wasn’t sure I was reading it correctly. Somebody later pointed out to me that I was indeed getting this medal.

The reason why I experienced so much disbelief is because it all seemed too good to be true. To this day I still don’t know who nominated me. I even questioned whether I was truly deserving of such an honour. I also wondered if I should accept the medal since I haven’t always been a cheerleader for the monarchy.

So what does the Diamond Jubilee Medal mean to me? To me it validates that I am a Canadian with something to offer, and strives to set a positive example to other Canadians. Being able to share this medal with other honourees makes me proud and happy. It also tells me that I have made a difference, and that I need to keep on going.

When I decided to attend the ceremony and accept the medal, I wrote a message on Twitter, saying, “To whoever nominated me for the Diamond Jubilee Medal, I salute you… and thank you.”

This is one of my favourite love songs