M*A*S*H is one of the most popular and well written shows in television history. The subject matter has the ability to touch people even to this day, and many of it’s parables can be applied to modern situations. It’s a very well loved show. It’s inclusion on Hulu in HD has introduced new audiences and rekindled the love of old audiences, however it is being viewed how short-sighted producers thought it should be viewed, instead of how creators envisioned it. It would be  wonderful idea to include options to view the show as the creators intended- without the laugh track and in its original aspect ratio.

The creators of the show had the foresight to realise that audiences can understand and appreciate the humour without the need for an audience prompt. The laugh track cheapens the show by adding a nonsense audience that couldn’t possibly exist, which detracts from the immersion and emotional impact of the show, as well as insults the intelligence of the viewer. Many modern shows provide examples of humour carrying itself without the need of an audience reaction. Just look to Scrubs, which managed the balance humour and drama almost as deftly as M*A*S*H, wholly without the laugh track. The creators understood this, hence why an option to view the show without the laugh track was included on DVD box sets. 

Secondly, the change in aspect ratio takes away from the hard work of cinematographers who carefully set up their shots based the equipment and technology available. Further, some visuals are often lost in the conversion to widescreen. We have seen this in the past where visual gags are lost entirely in the conversion. We see many examples of this in shows such as The Simpsons, where aspect ratio changes to older episodes have eliminated a number of sight gags included near the top or bottom of the frame, and sometimes the entire point of the shot may be lost. While M*A*S*H relies far less on these sorts of sight gags, many shots that would have been carefully framed to include background scenery for the sake of dramatic effect have been lost in the ratio conversion, as well as small details that might have been included at the tops or bottoms of frames. While we all do appreciate the modern trend towards widescreen, it would be nice to have the option to view this show in its original square framing. 

While both of these options are included on DVD box sets, modern day Blu-Ray release of the film does not included it. Further, a box set of M*A*S*H can cost more than $100, a price point that’s hard to justify in the current era of streaming video. Hulu has made M*A*S*H available to a whole new generation of audiences. Certainly the creators would be thrilled to know their show continues to amaze and amuse, but it would be wonderful to allow the show all of the emotional and psychological impact that they had hoped for when they first envisioned it. Setting up the streaming service to allow us these options may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge that results in a better show that demonstrates the respect and love we have for the people that created it. 

Please consider allowing us the option to watch this amazing program as it’s creators had imagined we might- without the laugh track, and in its original aspect ratio. 

Thank you.