Why MASH theme different for s1e20-22?

November 14, 2005 10:59 AM

Why is there a different theme arrangement/recording only for episodes 20, 21 and 22 in M*A*S*H season 1?

I've been watching the first season of M*A*S*H, and came across this oddity -- only on episodes 20, 21 and 22, is a different version of the widely recognizable "Suicide Is Painless" instrumental played in the intro while the rest are the usual version.

posted by vanoakenfold to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

I've been re-watching MASH on DVD as well (I'm on the 4th season, but I've seen almost all of them before), and I am pretty sure that there were 10+ different arrangements of the theme throughout the run of the series. I can't explain why, but it wasn't just a one-time change.
posted by apple scruff at 11:57 AM on November 14, 2005

I have no idea, but I'd guess that it had to do with syndication or other revenue-sharing reasons.

Are the episodes without the standard theme in syndication?
posted by o2b at 5:38 PM on November 14, 2005

According to yon FAQ there were ten versions, though lists no ulterior motive for so doing. Apparently this thematic change is in Season 2 as well.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 1:11 PM on November 15, 2005