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M*A*S*H Trivia Quiz

22 Questions 11 min
This M*A*S*H trivia quiz focuses on episode facts, character arcs, ranks, and running gags from the 4077th. It rewards precise recall of who held command when, which surgeon or nurse said a line, and how props like the still and signpost recur. Use it to tighten canon-level accuracy before your next rewatch.
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1That catchy title is actually an acronym. What does MASH stand for in the TV series?
2The TV series M*A*S*H is set during the Korean War.

True / False

3If someone at the 4077th yells "Hawkeye!" who are they calling?
4At the very start of the TV series, who is the commanding officer of the 4077th?
5Margaret Houlihan’s most famous nickname is which one?
6Colonel Sherman T. Potter becomes commanding officer of the 4077th after Henry Blake leaves the series.

True / False

7Which character is famous for trying to get a Section 8 by wearing women’s clothing?
8Hawkeye, Trapper, and later B.J. call their tent by what nickname?
9The 4077th is a Navy hospital ship stationed off the Korean coast.

True / False

10Trapper’s departure leaves an empty bunk in the Swamp. Who becomes Hawkeye’s new tentmate?
11Radar’s day-to-day job is best described as what?
12On the TV series, the opening theme is almost always heard as an instrumental without the lyrics.

True / False

13Sherman T. Potter often talks about the horse waiting for him back home. What is the horse’s name?
14When the 4077th needs a therapist who can out-joke Hawkeye, who usually shows up?
15You reach the end of "Abyssinia, Henry" and hear a calm PA announcement that hits like a gut punch. What happened to Henry Blake?
16If a guy storms into camp spouting secret-code paranoia and calling everyone "commies," you are probably dealing with whom?
17Charles Emerson Winchester III is from Boston and frequently reminds people of it.

True / False

18That famous signpost in the compound is more than decoration. What does it mainly show?
19Radar O'Reilly is from Toledo, Ohio.

True / False

20When someone in camp speaks into the ether like "Sparky, hit the music," who are they talking to?
21In "The Interview," what makes the episode feel so different from a typical M*A*S*H story?
22In "Point of View," the camera mostly sticks to what perspective?
23Father Mulcahy is portrayed as a Protestant minister.

True / False

24Frank Burns’ most notorious relationship in camp is with whom?
25Margaret’s marriage changes her storyline for seasons. Who does she marry?
26Henry Blake and Sherman Potter both have wives named Mildred.

True / False

27In the final episode’s last moments, Hawkeye looks down from a helicopter and reads "GOODBYE." What is it spelled out with?
28A letter from home mentions a tiny town that Radar never stops bragging about. Where is Radar actually from?
29In "Adam’s Ribs," Hawkeye’s craving becomes a full-blown mission. From which city does he try to get ribs delivered?
30B.J.’s letters home often orbit around one person who keeps him sane. What is his daughter’s name?
31Alan Alda (Hawkeye) appears in every episode of the TV series.

True / False

32Nurse Kellye is a fan-favorite recurring character. What is her last name?
33Winchester name-drops family constantly, especially one sibling. What is the name of Charles’s sister he often mentions?
34When actor Larry Linville left the show, Frank Burns died on screen.

True / False

35The TV series uses the theme from the film. Who wrote the lyrics to "Suicide Is Painless" (even though the TV opening is usually instrumental)?
36If you are mixing film and TV canon, which name is a classic trap because he is a major character in the 1970 film but not part of the TV series regular lineup?
37Hawkeye Pierce’s first name is Henry.

True / False

M*A*S*H Trivia Misses: Canon Mix-Ups, Rank Wording, and Timeline Slips

Mixing TV-series canon with the novel or the 1970 film

Many “almost right” answers are true in one version of M*A*S*H but false in another. If a question asks about a backstory detail, a first appearance, or a relationship, answer from the TV series unless the prompt explicitly signals the film or book.

Losing track of command and staffing transitions

Harder items often sit on change points. Misses happen when you compress seasons into one memory. Keep a mental timeline for major handoffs, like Henry Blake to Sherman Potter, Trapper John to B.J., and Frank Burns to Charles Winchester, plus key departures like Radar leaving the 4077th.

Answering with a job title when the question asks for rank (or the reverse)

Trivia prompts often separate rank (Captain, Major, Colonel) from role (CO, surgeon, company clerk, head nurse, chaplain). Read for the exact ask. If the wording says “commanding officer,” do not answer with “surgeon,” even if the character is both in different scenes.

Paraphrasing quotes and running gags

Quote questions penalize “close enough.” Use context cues instead of guessing a catchphrase. Ask yourself where the line fits (Swamp, O.R., mess tent), who is present, and which recurring bit it belongs to (the still, poker, the PA announcements, the signpost).

Forgetting the Korean War setting

The series is set during the Korean War (1950 to 1953). If a question points at uniforms, politics, or technology, anchor your answer to that period rather than importing assumptions from later conflicts.

Fast fixes that prevent repeat misses

  • Label your notes by source: TV, film, or novel.
  • Build a one-page timeline: CO, key surgeons in the Swamp, and major exits.
  • Study ranks as vocabulary: rank words and who holds them.
  • For quotes: match speaker habits (formal diction, slang, sarcasm) before committing.

Primary References for Episode Facts, Script Verification, and Production Context

M*A*S*H Trivia Quiz FAQ: Canon Boundaries, Quote Accuracy, and What Clues Matter

Does this quiz treat the TV series, the 1970 film, and the novel as the same canon?

No. Many details overlap, but plenty do not. If a prompt does not specify otherwise, answer from the TV series version of M*A*S*H. When you study, tag notes as “TV,” “film,” or “novel” so you do not import a true fact from the wrong version.

What is the most common “timeline” trap in M*A*S*H trivia?

Mixing cast and command eras. A question can hinge on who is CO at that point, which surgeon is sharing the Swamp, or whether Radar is still present. Build a simple sequence of major transitions and then pin memorable episodes to that sequence.

How do I answer rank questions without overthinking them?

Start by separating rank from job. “CO” is a role, and “surgeon” is a job. “Captain” or “Colonel” is rank. If the question says “What rank is X,” answer only with the rank even if you also know the character’s medical specialty.

How can I get better at quote and running-gag questions?

Use location and prop cues as filters. The Swamp tends to signal surgeon banter and pranks, O.R. signals triage pressure and command decisions, and the mess tent signals announcements and group reactions. If a line includes a recurring bit like the still or the signpost, treat that as a clue about who usually engages with that bit.

Will I see behind-the-scenes questions, and what sources are safest for those?

Some rounds include production and cultural-impact facts, but they are usually framed around verifiable materials like archival collection guides, scripts, and curator commentary. For broader screen history practice beyond this show, use Film and TV Trivia Questions. If you want more film-only context tied to the franchise’s 1970 adaptation, try the Ultimate Movie Quiz for Film Fans.

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