M*A*S*H had so many silly moments that it can be difficult to remember that it was a show about war. Of course, the series had plenty of episodes focusing on the horror and brutality found in the reality of violence. Moments that gave the audience laughter were a welcome reprieve, a reminder that even in terror, you can find laughter.

Many comedy sitcoms pale in comparison to the sitcom’s accomplishments, and no one seemed to know that better than the cast of M*A*S*H. Jamie Farr, best known for playing Klinger throughout the popular series, was frank about the state of television during an interview in the early 1990s.

“Comedy today has lost its, I don’t know, its charisma, its charm,” said Farr during an interview with the Canadian Press. “That’s the word - charm.”

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While more than a few M*A*S*H episodes experimented with the fantastical, it was important that the show’s writers kept one foot staunchly planted in reality, never straying too far from good old-fashioned honesty. Sure, the characters in the 4077th got into their fair share of hijinks, as Farr would be more than likely to tell you.

“You know, I don’t mind stupid comedy if it’s funny,” said Farr. “I mean, the Marx Brothers did stupid comedy - they were funny. Laurel and Hardy did stupid comedy, and it was funny. But I hate when it’s just stupid.”

Farr was interested in comedy that treated the audience as an equal. “There’s a tendency now to do this kind of toilet humor,” said the actor. “I mean, everything has to do with your body parts. This condescending talking down to the audience - maybe the generation we have now, maybe they enjoy it. Maybe I’m a dinosaur. Maybe I don’t fit in anymore.”