HOLLYWOOD -- 'M-A-S-H' and 'Barney Miller,' two of the most popular comedy shows in television history, are drawing to a close, spokesmen for both shows announced Thursday.
A 'M-A-S-H' representative at 20th Century-Fox said the Korean War comedy-drama, starring Alan Alda as the cynical battlefield surgeon Hawkeye Pierce, would end in the middle of its 11th season, February 1983.
Producer Danny Arnold announced that 'Barney Miller,' the wacky police show currently in its eighth season, definitely will not be renewed for next season.
A spokesman for 'Barney Miller' said ABC-TV's renewal contract failed to meet proposals offered by Arnold, adding that increasing costs made another year economically unrealstic.
Set in a ramshackle New York precinct station house, 'Barney Miller' stars Hal Linden in the title role holding sway over an offbeat squad of detectives played by Ron Glass, Steve Landesberg and Max Gail.
'There's no chance the show will get a reprise,' said Bob Garon who represents Arnold's Four D Productions. 'Most of the actors have other commitments. Glass, Landesberg and Ron Carey have had TV offers and Linden is entertaining some Broadway offers.'
Garon said 'Barney Miller,' which, along with 'M-A-S-H,' is in daily syndication, has five more episodes to be taped this season, bringing to 170 the total numer of shows in the series.
A 20th Century-Fox representative said a tentative agreement had been reached between the studio, CBS, and the producers of 'M-A-S-H' to film only 16 segments for the 1983 season instead of the usual 20. The decision was made because key people in the Korean War series decided it had run its course.
'M-A-S-H' will conclude with a two-hour special on the end of the war as Colonel Potter, Hawkeye, Klinger, Father Mulcahy and the other members of 4077 prepare to return to their homes in the United States.
