Mike Farrell On the 1 'M*A*S*H' Story That Made B.J. 'Human'

Mike Farrell recently reflected on his time playing Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt on M*A*S*H. The army medics weren't perfect while they were away in Korea. Farrell, 87, revealed the note he gave to the show's creator and how it was addressed.

Mike Farrell Wanted B.J.'s Cheating Storyline Because It Was Human

The actor said the story "evolved out of a very short scene that Larry Gelbart wrote," on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.Blythe Dannerplayed Carlye Breslin Walton in the episode, "The More I See You." She had an affair with Hawkeye (Alan Alda) in medical school, but it ended. She returned as a nurse and reunited with him.

Related: ‘M*A*S*H' Star Mike Farrell Opens Up About His Doubts Replacing Wayne Rogers

Hawkeye asked B.J. if he disapproved of him spending time with Carlye. B.J. didn't cast judgment on his friend, but he hasn't cheated himself, only "tempted."

Farrell revealed that after filming, he told Gelbart it wasn't "human for B.J. to have never been tempted." The next year a writer asked how he would feel if B.J. was put in the same position.

"It depends on how you resolve it," Farrell answered. "And I said OK, and we went on and did the show with where B.J. is called by a Nurse Kelly, to help one of the nurses who's just gotten a Dear Jane, and he goes into the tent, and she's weeping."

The characters kiss and B.J. felt so guilty he immediately wrote a letter to Peggy about the kiss. Hawkeye wouldn't let him and tore it up. His advice was to tell her in person.

Farrell said he felt lucky to be part of the show. He admitted there wasn't a clear resolution the audience could see, but was happy with how it was done.

Related: ‘M*A*S*H' Actress Dead of Natural Causes at 93

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM.