TV-MOVIES

The Best Time Frank Burns Ever Broke Character On M*A*S*H

By C.M. CROCKFORD

Frank Burns, played by actor Larry Linville, was a bumbling regular character, having an affair with “Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) on the hit series “M*A*S*H.” The character was part of the show until the end of Season 5, when Linville, who hated playing the entitled surgeon, left the series.

In one outtake, Linville is trying to deliver a smug lecture as Frank Burns until he clearly forgets his line halfway through. Recognizing that he can't finish, he mutters "tear gas or whatever the **** it is," and makes a loud, exasperated noise for the camera.

A similar blooper features Linville not remembering his lines, as he calls himself a “putz.” The veteran actor's over the top irritation that he can't get these deliveries right is hilarious, and might show one of the few times he was enjoying himself during production.