At 8 PM on Sunday, September 17, 1972, few viewers tuned in to the premiere of a new television series – M*A*S*H. The series was based on a book and feature film, but the series was not well received. Many felt the series pilot was too heavy with slap-stick comedy. As the first series progressed, however, the series’ writers began to introduce more drama and the realities of war into the series. Few people who watched the pilot expected the series to last more than a season, but the series’ creators were able to adapt and introduce the proper blend of comedy and drama.