Alan Alda wants everything to be Clear and Vivid

In 1979 the United States Army assigned me to the Academy of Health Science located at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. It was a great time in my life that I will always remember, especially the friendships that still last to this day, thanks to Facebook. We were all busy with our heads in our books studying hundreds of surgical instruments and procedures for our our chosen profession, Operating Room Technician. There was always that one special night where we gathered in the day room to watch the most popular show on the compound .....M*A*S*H. As Army Medics we could relate to the show. Even though the timelines of our lives were different most could imagine what the characters were facing, as it was always a possibility that we could one day face similar situations.

My favorite character of the show was Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce played by actor Alan Alda. Over the years Hawkeye Pierce made me laugh and he made me cry. To me it was always amazing how the cast of characters worked so well together. With each airing of the show the viewer was transported to Korea and for twenty seven or so minutes we were serving our country right along with our M*A*S*H family. Recently my thoughts were validated as I was able to hear from the actors themselves exactly how they were able to make M*A*S*H the success it has become, even to this day in re-runs.

Alan Alda has created a podcast called Clear and Vivid. The podcast description begins with "Learn to connect better with others in every area of your life." The show is about conversations with people and gaining a true understand, through communication, where the person is coming from. The description continues, "But what links them all is their powerful ability to relate and communicate. It's something we need now more than ever." How very true that statement has become in the world in which we live.

The podcast episode that made me an immediate fan is titled, "The Actors from M*A*S*H and how M*A*S*H changed our Lives". Alan Alda “Capt.Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce”), brought together Loretta Swit (“Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan”), Jamie Farr (“Sgt. Maxwell Q. "Max" Klinger), Mike Farrell (Capt. B. J. Hunnicutt), and Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly) for an intimate gathering, as the show credits state, of your M*A*S*H pals. The gang shares memories and mostly the laughter, as you will hear. I think I still hold the smile that was on my face as I listened to the entire episode.....as I drove down the Long island Expressway in the middle of a snowstorm. Did you know that when production first started the networks had no faith that the show would be successful? M*A*S*H had the smallest sound stage without a bathroom for the longest period of time. There is the story, that Jamie Farr tells, of the $100.00 Peanut Butter. You'll have to listen to hear about that, as I don't want to give everything away. There is so much more to hear. The discipline through the laughter. Stories from the ones who made the show what it has become....a classic. This Clear and Vivid episode is a must for any fan of M*A*S*H.

Alda's podcast doesn't stop there. With guests such as Dr Ruth Westheimer talking about "Communicating Under the Covers and Above", Shelia Nevins talking with Alan about "Age, Sex Love, Life and Everything Else". Shelia has explored the human condition in the thousand or so documentaries that she produced for HBO. Shelia has been telling us stories about ourselves, for over 30 years as to her experience as a woman in the workplace, and Senator Bill Bradley on "How We Can All Do Better." Clear and Vivid will definitely will be a great learning experience for the listener.

When the show M*A*S*H ended the helicopter carrying Alda's character "Hawkeye" flew above the compound. Below him, spelled out in rocks was the word GOODBYE! It was a sad, selfish day for M*A*S*H fans, as we would certainly miss the show. Then again the though of the characters returning home would be everlasting, at least, in my mind. Thank you Alan Alda. Listening to this episode gave me closure in knowing that all is well with those that meant so much to so many.

Click here for more info on the Clear and Vivid Podcast via itunes.