Series Debut: 1972 "Song from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)" is the theme song to the classic sitcom M*A*S*H (1972-1983), and the original movie. Set during the Korean war, at the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, the show made Alan Alda a household name, and it's finale remains the most watched television episode in history (discounting sporting events, award shows, etc.). The theme song (with a title that would probably trouble censors today) had lyrics written by movie director Robert Altman's son, Michael Altman - who was just fourteen years old at the time. While appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the 1980s, Altman let slip that his son had made more than a million dollars (in royalties) for the song, while he had made just $70,000 to direct the movie. Ouch! The song was originally just to be used during a scene in which Walter "Painless Pole" Waldowski fakes suicide in the movie. Director Altman gave the task of creating the tune to Johnny Mandel, with the direction that it must be called "Suicide is Painless" and had to be "the stupidest song ever." Altman attempted to write the lyrics himself, but when he couldn't, he gave the job to his teenage son - who supposedly came up with the lyrics in all of five minutes. Altman liked the finished product so much he used it as the theme, and a classic theme song was born. It also hit #1 on the UK singles charts in 1980 - just a wee bit into the show's run. The show, of course, went with the instrumental version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzGDiDlWQU8
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
