YouTube Spotlight: Remember when those MASH stars were in all those IBM ads?

I mean, it was out of control for a while there. We put this particular spot in the MASH II playlist this week:

That one actually pairs Colonel Potter and Trapper John in a truly historic moment! But there are many others, and here is a compilation:

Adding to the fun, Alan Alda was appearing in numerous Atari ads in the same general time period. Oh, to see a Gary Burghoff ad for Sega Master System.

Here is a 1987 NY Times article explaining the concept and dealmaking behind the ad campaign. Note that Alda wasn't part of the initial deal but was indeed added later as the piece indicated was possible.